title: The efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a public mental health intervention for adults with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there has been growing evidence for the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for different clinical populations, its effectiveness as a public mental health intervention has not been studied. The present study evaluates a community-based MBCT intervention for adults with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology in a large multi-site, pragmatic randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology were recruited from the general population and randomized to the MBCT intervention (n = 76) or to a waiting list control group (n = 75). Participants completed measures before and after the intervention. Participants in the experimental condition also completed these measures at a 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the experimental condition significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and experiential avoidance, and improvements in mindfulness and emotional- and psychological mental health were found, compared to the waiting list (effect sizes Cohen's d = 0.31-0.56). These effects were sustained at the 3-month follow-up. The likelihood of a clinically significant change in depressive symptoms was significantly higher for the MBCT group [odds ratio (OR) 3.026, p<0.01 at post-treatment; NNT = 5.10].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MBCT as a public mental health intervention for adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms seems effective and applicable in a natural setting.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nederlands Trial Register NTR2096.
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, Enschede, the Netherlands; Dimence, Community Mental Health Center, Almelo, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wendy T M
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Pots
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, Enschede, the Netherlands; GGNET, Community Mental Health Center, Warnsveld, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter A M
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Meulenbeek
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, Enschede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martine M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Veehof
authors.affiliation: GGNET, Community Mental Health Center, Warnsveld, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorinde
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klungers
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, Enschede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ernst T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Bohlmeijer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult