title: Cognitive reactivity as outcome and working mechanism of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrently depressed patients in remission.
abstract: Major depressive disorder is a prevalent condition with high relapse rates. There is evidence that cognitive reactivity is an important vulnerability factor for the recurrence of depression. Mindfulness-based interventions are designed to reduce relapse rates, with cognitive reactivity as one of the proposed working mechanisms. In a randomised controlled trial we compared the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) with treatment-as-usual (TAU) on cognitive reactivity in recurrently depressed patients (N = 115). Depressive symptoms, cognitive reactivity, and mindfulness skills were assessed pre and post treatment. Patients in the MBCT group reported a significantly greater reduction in cognitive reactivity than those in the TAU group (d = .51). The reduction of cognitive reactivity appeared to mediate the association between MBCT/TAU and decrease of depressive symptoms, using pre and post scores. The current study provides evidence that MBCT reduces cognitive reactivity and preliminary evidence that cognitive reactivity is a working mechanism of MBCT.
authors.affiliation: a Behavioural Science Institute , Radboud University Nijmegen , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.|b Pro Persona Mental Health Care , Depression Expertise Center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.|c Department of Psychiatry , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cladder-Micus
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychiatry , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Aalderen
authors.affiliation: d Department for Health Evidence , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A R T
authors.initials: ART
authors.lastname: Donders
authors.affiliation: a Behavioural Science Institute , Radboud University Nijmegen , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.|b Pro Persona Mental Health Care , Depression Expertise Center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spijker
authors.affiliation: b Pro Persona Mental Health Care , Depression Expertise Center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.|c Department of Psychiatry , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Vrijsen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychiatry , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A E M
authors.initials: AEM
authors.lastname: Speckens
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Depression; MBCT; cognitive reactivity; mindfulness; relapse