title: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for seasonal affective disorder: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The best available treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is light therapy. Yet, this treatment does not prevent recurrence of depression in subsequent seasons. The aim of the study is to gain preliminary insight in the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in the prevention of SAD recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a randomized controlled pilot study, in which SAD patients in remission were randomly allocated to an individual format of MBCT or a control condition (i.e. treatment as usual). MBCT was given between May and June 2011, when there was no presence of depressive symptoms. The Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (IDS-SR), which patients received on a weekly basis from September 2011 to April 2012, was used to assess moment of recurrence (≥20) and severity at moment of recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  23 SAD patients were randomized to MBCT and 23 to the control condition. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the groups did not differ in moment of recurrence (χ²(1).41, p=.52). T-tests showed no group difference in mean IDS-SR scores at moment of recurrence (t(31)=-.52, p=.61).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are limited by small sample size (n=46) and missing data of weekly IDS-SR assessments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this pilot RCT suggest that individual MBCT is not effective in preventing a SAD recurrence when offered in a symptom free period (i.e. spring).
authors: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Health Psychology (FA 12), P.O. box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.fleer@umcg.nl.
authors: Joke
authors: J
authors: Fleer
authors: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Health Psychology (FA 12), P.O. box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: M.J.Schroevers@umcg.nl.
authors: Maya
authors: M
authors: Schroevers
authors: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Health Psychology (FA 12), P.O. box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Verapanjer@live.nl.
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Panjer
authors: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, School of Nursing and Health, The Netherlands.
authors: Erwin
authors: E
authors: Geerts
authors: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: y.meesters@umcg.nl.
authors: Ybe
authors: Y
authors: Meesters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010789:Phototherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D018401:Sample Size; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Intervention; Mindfulness; Pilot; Randomized controlled trial; Seasonal affective disorder; Therapy