Latest news with #MBCT
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How mindfulness therapy could help those left behind by depression treatment
For some people, depression is like an unwanted guest who moves in and refuses to leave. Even with therapy and medication, the heavy fog of low mood, exhaustion and hopelessness never fully lifts for long. For around 30% of people with depression, this is a daily reality. It's not just a personal burden. Difficult-to-treat depression affects families, workplaces and communities – and carries a huge cost for society. In England, the NHS Talking Therapies programme is the first place many adults turn when they're struggling with depression or anxiety. In 2023-24, it supported more than 1.26 million people. Yet, for all its reach, around half of those who complete treatment still feel depressed by the end. And if the therapy hasn't worked, there are often no further options available. Most people in this situation are sent back to their GP. A small number may be referred to more specialist mental health services, but those are typically reserved for the most severe cases. That leaves a significant number of people in limbo – still unwell, but without a clear route to further care. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. This is part of a wider problem in mental health services: the so-called 'missing middle'. These are people whose needs are too complex for primary (GP) care, but not severe enough for secondary services. As a result, they fall through the cracks. For many of these people, medication is often the only treatment on offer. But our study, with colleagues, suggests that a different approach, using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), could offer a way forward. We worked with more than 200 patients who had completed NHS Talking Therapies but were still experiencing symptoms of depression. Half were offered an eight-week MBCT course, delivered in small online groups. The others continued with their usual care. MBCT blends traditional cognitive therapy (which aims to reduce negative thinking patterns) with intensive mindfulness training. Participants learn how to stay present, recognise harmful thought spirals early, and respond to difficult emotions with greater awareness and compassion. Most importantly, they gain skills they can use for the rest of their lives. The results were promising. People who took part in the mindfulness programme reported bigger improvements in their depressive symptoms than those who didn't. Six months later, the benefits had not only lasted – they had consolidated and slightly strengthened. What's more, those in the MBCT group used fewer health and social care services overall. The programme was also inexpensive to run, costing less than £100 per person. In a time when health systems are under extreme financial pressure, that's a big deal. Our research suggests MBCT is not just effective, it's cost-saving too. When depression doesn't respond to standard treatment, it can upend lives. People may struggle to work, maintain relationships, or care for their families. Children are especially affected when a parent has long-term depression. Without the right support, things often get worse – and the costs, both personal and financial, continue to grow. MBCT is already being used for relapse prevention – and there is a trained workforce to deliver it. Consisting of just eight group-based sessions, it is accessible and designed to equip people with practical tools. We believe it can offer hope to those who do not benefit sufficiently from existing services, and should be made available to more people. Beyond the promise of MBCT itself, this research offers a wider message: we need to invest in psychological therapies for people in the 'missing middle'. These are people who are often overlooked but stand to gain the most from targeted, practical support. In times of tight budgets, the idea that we can improve lives and save money is more than compelling – it's necessary. This is a clear opportunity to improve outcomes, reduce strain on overstretched services, and help people move forward with their lives. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Thorsten Barnhofer is the author of a book on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). He regularly provides workshops on mindfulness-based interventions. He is co-investigator of a programme grant evaluating an adapted MBCT course for adolescents experiencing depression and is among the investigators for the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit-funded trial described in this article. Barney Dunn receives funding from the National Institute of Health Research for mental health treatment trials at the University of Exeter, including the Research for Patient Benefit Funding for the RESPOND trial discussed in this article. He co-directs an NHS commissioned psychological therapies service, which delivers Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Clara Strauss is co-lead for Sussex Mindfulness Centre (SMC), part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and has received funding to conduct MBCT research from NIHR and other funders, funding to deliver MBCT courses and funding to train MBCT therapists within SMC.
Epoch Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Mindfulness Therapy Significantly Improves Treatment-Resistant Depression: Study
Mindfulness-based therapy offers significant relief for patients who remain depressed after failing to respond to conventional treatments, according to a new clinical trial. The study found that remote mindfulness sessions improved depression symptoms, potentially offering new hope to hundreds of thousands of patients currently considered at the 'end of the road' for psychological treatment options. Measurable Benefits Comparable to Medication The MBCT combines meditation and mindfulness practices, such as self-compassion, with CBT, which helps individuals change negative thought patterns. The trial involved more than 200 patients across the UK who had already received talk therapy and anti-depressants but still struggled with depression. Participants were divided into two groups. The intervention group received MBCT sessions in addition to standard treatment. These sessions focused on developing mindfulness skills and managing difficult emotions. The other group continued with their usual care, which included a combination of antidepressants and talk therapy. Six months later, those who received MBCT showed greater improvements in their depression scores than those receiving standard care. Related Stories 5/5/2025 11/28/2014 The group that received MBCT plus usual treatment had depression scores that were about 2.5 points lower on average on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a widely used screening tool for depression. Remote delivery of MBCT can be 'really effective,' especially for people who might not be able to attend in-person sessions due to location, time, or mental health struggles, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind in New York, who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times. 'Being able to join from home could actually help some people feel more comfortable opening up,' she said. If the sessions are structured well and the group is engaged, the impact could be just as strong.' Why MBCT Works for Persistent Depression MBCT is particularly helpful for people with recurrent or persistent depression, especially if they still have symptoms after standard treatment, Erik Larson, a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, owner of Larson Mental Health, and not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times. It was originally developed to prevent relapse in those with multiple episodes of depression, because it teaches people how to relate differently to negative thoughts and emotions instead of trying to get rid of them. While MBCT works best for those who ruminate or feel overwhelmed by stress, experts caution it requires emotional stability and consistent practice, making it unsuitable for patients in acute crisis or with psychotic symptoms. '[MBCT] helps people to recognize negative, self-critical thoughts as thoughts, rather than as facts and so helps to lessen their emotional impact,' Hafeez said MBCT could be combined with other treatments. 'A lot of people already take medication, and this could give them extra support,' she said. 'It doesn't replace therapy like CBT but adds another layer. Some might even find it helps them rely less on medication over time.' Treatment-resistant depression Mary Ryan, a patient adviser and co-author who has worked with the research team from the start, emphasized in a She said people have often been told that they've reached the 'end of the road' for psychological treatment, and there are no other options for them. 'The findings of this trial are hugely important because we're telling this group of people that they still matter—that there's something else we can try that may work for them,' she stated.
Leader Live
15-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Mindfulness may combat ‘hard to treat' depression
Only half of people with depression feel well again after NHS Talking Therapies, academics said. But offering an additional course of mindful cognitive behavioural therapy, delivered through a weekly video call, could help reduce symptoms for people with difficult-to-treat depression, according to their new study. NHS talking Therapies, which has been dubbed one of the most ambitious treatment services of its kind in the world, offered treatment to 1.83 million people in 2023/24. Struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress or obsessions and compulsions? NHS Talking Therapies can help. The service is effective, confidential and free. Your GP can refer you or refer yourself at — NSFT mental health (@NSFTtweets) May 13, 2025 People whose symptoms do not respond to low-intensity treatment, or who present with more complex illnesses, are offered high-intensity treatment. But figures suggest that 50% of people with depression who complete high-intensity therapies still have lingering symptoms – also known as difficult-to-treat depression. Academics said there has been little research into treatment options when people with depression have not shown remission of symptoms during a previous psychological therapy, as they set out to examine whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could help. The eight-week treatment uses 'mindfulness practice as a means of helping patients become better at recognising and disengaging from habitual maladaptive patterns of thinking', they said. It works by using intensive training in mindfulness meditation to help people develop skills to respond better to negative mood and stress, in addition to cognitive behavioural therapy principles which seek to change negative thought patterns. The new study, led by an expert from the University of Surrey and published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry, saw 234 patients who still had depression symptoms after NHS Talking Therapies split into two groups. One group received MCBT, delivered via video conferences, while the other group had treatment as usual. Around six in 10 of all the people involved in the study were taking antidepressants. Six months after treatment, patients who took part in the MCBT course had a larger reduction in symptoms compared to those who had treatment as usual. Researchers also said that MBCT was a cost-effective tool – costing around £100 per patient. The research team suggested that the tool could be considered as a treatment option for NHS patients with hard-to-treat depression. Professor Thorsten Barnhofer, co-author of the study and professor of clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, said: 'For the thousands of people who finish talking therapy but still find themselves living with depression, this study offers real hope. 'We found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy not only helps people feel better, but also does so in a way that could ease pressure on NHS services. 'These are results we can't afford to ignore – for individuals, for clinicians, and for a system stretched to its limits.' Study co-author Professor Barney Dunn, from the University of Exeter, added: 'We know there's a gap in services for people with depression who haven't got better through NHS Talking Therapies. 'These people often don't qualify for further specialist mental health care, and so are left with no further options. 'We've shown that offering MBCT to this group can be effective and cost-efficient to deliver, and we hope this will lead to it being implemented widely. 'We need investment in this and other areas where there are gaps in service, to ultimately save the NHS money.' Study co-author Barbara Barrett, professor of health economics at King's College London, said: 'We are highly encouraged by our findings, which reveal that MBCT treatment offers a powerful dual benefit for this group: superior patient outcomes coupled with notable cost savings for the NHS.'
Rhyl Journal
15-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Mindfulness may combat ‘hard to treat' depression
Only half of people with depression feel well again after NHS Talking Therapies, academics said. But offering an additional course of mindful cognitive behavioural therapy, delivered through a weekly video call, could help reduce symptoms for people with difficult-to-treat depression, according to their new study. NHS talking Therapies, which has been dubbed one of the most ambitious treatment services of its kind in the world, offered treatment to 1.83 million people in 2023/24. Struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress or obsessions and compulsions? NHS Talking Therapies can help. The service is effective, confidential and free. Your GP can refer you or refer yourself at — NSFT mental health (@NSFTtweets) May 13, 2025 People whose symptoms do not respond to low-intensity treatment, or who present with more complex illnesses, are offered high-intensity treatment. But figures suggest that 50% of people with depression who complete high-intensity therapies still have lingering symptoms – also known as difficult-to-treat depression. Academics said there has been little research into treatment options when people with depression have not shown remission of symptoms during a previous psychological therapy, as they set out to examine whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could help. The eight-week treatment uses 'mindfulness practice as a means of helping patients become better at recognising and disengaging from habitual maladaptive patterns of thinking', they said. It works by using intensive training in mindfulness meditation to help people develop skills to respond better to negative mood and stress, in addition to cognitive behavioural therapy principles which seek to change negative thought patterns. The new study, led by an expert from the University of Surrey and published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry, saw 234 patients who still had depression symptoms after NHS Talking Therapies split into two groups. One group received MCBT, delivered via video conferences, while the other group had treatment as usual. Around six in 10 of all the people involved in the study were taking antidepressants. Six months after treatment, patients who took part in the MCBT course had a larger reduction in symptoms compared to those who had treatment as usual. Researchers also said that MBCT was a cost-effective tool – costing around £100 per patient. The research team suggested that the tool could be considered as a treatment option for NHS patients with hard-to-treat depression. Professor Thorsten Barnhofer, co-author of the study and professor of clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, said: 'For the thousands of people who finish talking therapy but still find themselves living with depression, this study offers real hope. 'We found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy not only helps people feel better, but also does so in a way that could ease pressure on NHS services. 'These are results we can't afford to ignore – for individuals, for clinicians, and for a system stretched to its limits.' Study co-author Professor Barney Dunn, from the University of Exeter, added: 'We know there's a gap in services for people with depression who haven't got better through NHS Talking Therapies. 'These people often don't qualify for further specialist mental health care, and so are left with no further options. 'We've shown that offering MBCT to this group can be effective and cost-efficient to deliver, and we hope this will lead to it being implemented widely. 'We need investment in this and other areas where there are gaps in service, to ultimately save the NHS money.' Study co-author Barbara Barrett, professor of health economics at King's College London, said: 'We are highly encouraged by our findings, which reveal that MBCT treatment offers a powerful dual benefit for this group: superior patient outcomes coupled with notable cost savings for the NHS.'
South Wales Guardian
15-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Mindfulness may combat ‘hard to treat' depression
Only half of people with depression feel well again after NHS Talking Therapies, academics said. But offering an additional course of mindful cognitive behavioural therapy, delivered through a weekly video call, could help reduce symptoms for people with difficult-to-treat depression, according to their new study. NHS talking Therapies, which has been dubbed one of the most ambitious treatment services of its kind in the world, offered treatment to 1.83 million people in 2023/24. Struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress or obsessions and compulsions? NHS Talking Therapies can help. The service is effective, confidential and free. Your GP can refer you or refer yourself at — NSFT mental health (@NSFTtweets) May 13, 2025 People whose symptoms do not respond to low-intensity treatment, or who present with more complex illnesses, are offered high-intensity treatment. But figures suggest that 50% of people with depression who complete high-intensity therapies still have lingering symptoms – also known as difficult-to-treat depression. Academics said there has been little research into treatment options when people with depression have not shown remission of symptoms during a previous psychological therapy, as they set out to examine whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could help. The eight-week treatment uses 'mindfulness practice as a means of helping patients become better at recognising and disengaging from habitual maladaptive patterns of thinking', they said. It works by using intensive training in mindfulness meditation to help people develop skills to respond better to negative mood and stress, in addition to cognitive behavioural therapy principles which seek to change negative thought patterns. The new study, led by an expert from the University of Surrey and published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry, saw 234 patients who still had depression symptoms after NHS Talking Therapies split into two groups. One group received MCBT, delivered via video conferences, while the other group had treatment as usual. Around six in 10 of all the people involved in the study were taking antidepressants. Six months after treatment, patients who took part in the MCBT course had a larger reduction in symptoms compared to those who had treatment as usual. Researchers also said that MBCT was a cost-effective tool – costing around £100 per patient. The research team suggested that the tool could be considered as a treatment option for NHS patients with hard-to-treat depression. Professor Thorsten Barnhofer, co-author of the study and professor of clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, said: 'For the thousands of people who finish talking therapy but still find themselves living with depression, this study offers real hope. 'We found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy not only helps people feel better, but also does so in a way that could ease pressure on NHS services. 'These are results we can't afford to ignore – for individuals, for clinicians, and for a system stretched to its limits.' Study co-author Professor Barney Dunn, from the University of Exeter, added: 'We know there's a gap in services for people with depression who haven't got better through NHS Talking Therapies. 'These people often don't qualify for further specialist mental health care, and so are left with no further options. 'We've shown that offering MBCT to this group can be effective and cost-efficient to deliver, and we hope this will lead to it being implemented widely. 'We need investment in this and other areas where there are gaps in service, to ultimately save the NHS money.' Study co-author Barbara Barrett, professor of health economics at King's College London, said: 'We are highly encouraged by our findings, which reveal that MBCT treatment offers a powerful dual benefit for this group: superior patient outcomes coupled with notable cost savings for the NHS.'
