title: A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial into the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) compared to treatment-as-usual in recurrent depression: Trial design and protocol.
abstract: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has been shown to reduce the risk of relapse in patients with recurrent depression, but relapse rates remain high. To further improve outcome for this group of patients, follow-up interventions may be needed. Compassion training focuses explicitly on developing self-compassion, one of the putative working mechanisms of MBCT. No previous research has been done on the effectiveness of compassion training following MBCT in patients with recurrent depression.
  
  
  
  To investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) in reducing (residual) depressive symptoms in patients with recurrent depression who previously participated in MBCT.
  
  
  
  A randomized controlled trial comparing MBCL in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU only, in patients suffering from recurrent depressive episodes who completed an MBCT course in the past. Assessments will take place at baseline, post-treatment and at six months follow-up. After the control period, patients randomized to the TAU condition will be offered MBCL as well.
  
  
  
  Primary outcome measure is severity of depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at post-treatment. Secondary outcome measures are presence or absence of DSM-IV depressive disorder, rumination, self-compassion, mindfulness skills, positive affect, quality of life, experiential avoidance and fear of self-compassion.
  
  
  
  Our study is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of compassion training following MBCT in a recurrently depressed population.
  
  
  
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02059200, registered 30 January 2014.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Rhoda.schuling@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: Rhoda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schuling
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marloes J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Huijbers
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hiske
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Ravesteijn
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Health Technology Assessment, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 21, Nijmegen 6525 EX, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rogier
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donders
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kuyken
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, Nijmegen 6525 GC, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne E M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Speckens
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy; Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living; Randomized controlled trial; Recurrent depression