Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy prevents depression relapse
- 28 October 2022
- 3 min read
Our timeline shows the development of research into using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to treat depression. It displays the impact that research has had on influencing policy.
Treating depression with mindfulness and cognitive behaviour therapy
Around 87,000 adults in the UK are at risk of recurrent depression. Antidepressants and psychotherapies can be effective at treating repeated depressive episodes in the short-term, but it means people are dependent upon taking antidepressants.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group-based training programme that combines mindfulness meditation with elements of cognitive behavioural therapy.
More than 3,000 patients a year receive MBCT through the NHS, thanks to research by the NIHR and other funders.
Impact timeline
1995
Research
A new approach to preventing relapse in depression called mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is shown to be effective.
Funded by: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Mental Health Research Network.
2004
Impact
For the first time, clinical guidelines recommend MBCT to prevent relapse in depression, but state that more evidence is needed.
Source: Depression: management of depression in primary and secondary care
2008
Research
Study shows that MBCT may be an alternative or better treatment option than antidepressants.
Funded by: Medical Research Council
Source: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to prevent relapse in recurrent depression.
2009
Second change in clinical guidance confirms recommendation of MBCT to prevent relapse in depression.
2013
Research
Research shows that the Teaching Assessment Criteria are an effective tool for assessing whether MBCT is being delivered as intended.
Funded by: NIHR, British Academy, Wellcome Trust
Source: Development and Validation of the Mindfulness-Based Interventions – Teaching Assessment Criteria
2015
Research
MBCT is shown to be as effective as antidepressants at preventing relapse in depression.
Funded by: NIHR
Impact
Parliamentary group recommends that all 87,000 adults at risk of recurrent depression in the UK should have access to MBCT by 2020, and 100 therapists should be trained each year.
Source: Mindful nation UK report
2016-2017
Research
Study highlights that access to MBCT varies across the UK and recommends approaches to support sustainable implementation.
Funded by: NIHR
Impact
- New implementation guidance for MBCT uses recommendations from NIHR research.
- NHS England’s and Health Education England’s new MBCT Training Curriculum incorporates the Teaching Assessment Criteria.
- 1,087 patients receive MBCT to prevent depression relapse (NHS Digital).
2018
Impact
- 65 NHS staff are trained in MBCT, and 57% of NHS services have MBCT trained staff.
- 3,597 patients receive MBCT to prevent depression relapse (NHS Digital).
2019
Research
Research shows that 96% of people treated with MBCT while in remission from depression remained well throughout treatment.
Funded by: NIHR and Wellcome Trust
Source: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in Real-World Healthcare Services
The data and sequence of events presented in the infographic is a snapshot of the wider work carried out across the research and development and health and care research ecosystem in the UK. It was not possible to undertake a comprehensive analysis of all the work that has underpinned this area.
This infographic should therefore be treated as a high-level overview.
