Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Antidepressant Medication in Recurrent Depression

The Clinical and Cost-effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Maintenance Antidepressant Medication and Its Combination in the Prevention of Relapse in Patients With Recurrent Depression

The purpose of this study is to investigate the (cost)effectiveness of mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) compared to that of antidepressant medication, and its combination with regard to the prevention of relapse or recurrence in patients with recurrent depression.

In the Netherlands, treatment as usual for patients with (recurrent) Major Depressive Disorder consists of maintenance antidepressant medication. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a recently developed psychological intervention that appears to be promising in terms of preventing relapse or recurrence in patients with recurrent depression. It consists of 8 weekly group sessions in which meditation exercises are combined with cognitive therapeutic elements such as identifying negative thoughts and monitoring and scheduling activities.

In this study, the (cost)effectiveness of a) MBCT on its own, b) antidepressant medication on its own and c) the combination of MBCT and antidepressant medication will be investigated in 350 patients with recurrent depression who are currently in remission.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Recurrent Major Depressive Episode (at least 3 previous episodes)
• Treatment with therapeutic dose of antidepressant medication during past six months
• Currently in full or partial remission

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bipolar disorder (current and previous (hypo)manic episodes)
• Psychotic disorder (current and previous)
• Neurological or somatic illness affecting depression or outcome measures
• Current alcohol or drugs dependency
• Use of high dosage benzodiazepines (> 2 mg Lorazepam equivalents daily)
• Recent Electro Convulsive Therapy (< 3 months ago)