Objectives: To evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of two delivery formats of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) - (i) MBCT delivered through eight videoconference group sessions (group MBCT), and (ii) MBCT delivered through a self-help manual plus three low-intensity videoconference group support sessions (supported MBCT self-help) - when added to treatment as usual (TAU; mental health outpatient care), compared with TAU alone, in patients with recurrent depression, either in an acute episode or in remission. We will identify potential predictors and moderators of response and examine psychological mechanisms of change. Study design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial, with pre-post, 6- and 12-months follow-ups. Centres: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (St. Boi de Llobregat), Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet (Zaragoza), Hospital del Mar (Barcelona), Fundació Centre Higiene Mental Nou Barris (Barcelona), and Hospital General Universitario de Elche (Elche, Alicante). Participants: Adult patients (n=342) with recurrent depression, either in an acute episode or in remission, will be randomly assigned to group MBCT, supported MBCT self-help, or TAU. Primary outcome: transitions between clinically defined states of recurrent depression over the 12-month follow-up (DSM-5). The primary confirmatory transition is from remission to a major depressive episode (relapse/recurrence), whereas the transition from acute depression to remission will be examined as an exploratory objective. Secondary outcomes: depressive symptom severity, negative affect, mental well-being, quality of life, costs, and quality-adjusted life years. Process measures: mindfulness, positive affect, and self-compassion. Main statistical analyses: The primary analysis will use the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle and continuous-time multi-state modelling to estimate transition-specific hazard ratios. Secondary outcomes, predictors, and moderators will be analysed using regression-based approaches. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses will be conducted from healthcare system and societal perspectives, alongside mediation analyses. Participant experiences will be evaluated using qualitative methods. Conclusions: This study will inform the implementation of two accessible MBCT formats in Spain for preventing depressive relapse/recurrence. The comparison of two delivery formats will provide evidence on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and efficient resource allocation.
Age over 18.
Diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder, with ≥ 2 previous major depressive episodes (MDD), either in an acute mild/moderate episode or in remission.
Internet access (via smartphone or personal computer).
Spanish literacy (spoken and written).
Current severe depressive episode (≥24 on the GRID-HAMD)
Current or past psychosis, bipolar 1 disorder, a history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, organic mental disorder, current severe substance abuse, organic brain damage, pervasive developmental delay, persistent antisocial behaviour, recent (in the past 6 months) self-injury requiring clinical management or therapy according to medical records and clinical judgment.
Formal concurrent structured psychotherapy during the intervention period.
No experience in the use of new technologies (smartphones or computers).
Parallel
Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
BehavioralVideoconference-delivered group MBCT will be provided in line with the manual 'Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression'. The program will be led by Spanish MBCT therapists who are trained and certified, and who will also complete a 2-day study standardisation course. After this training, therapists must demonstrate at least "competent" teaching skills, confirmed by an independent assessor using the Mindfulness-Based Interventions Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC). Competency will be defined as a score of 4-6 based on the rating of a randomly selected recorded session. Group MBCT is a structured mindfulness meditation program designed to help participants learn skills to reduce the risk of depression relapse or recurrence. It will be delivered over 8 weeks in weekly group sessions lasting 2 hours, with approximately 12 participants per group, and includes between-session home practice.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Self-Help
BehavioralParticipants work through the Spanish version of 'The Mindful Way Workbook: An 8-Week Program to Free Yourself from Depression and Emotional Distress' on their own, following weekly instructions and mindfulness exercises. The workbook presents the standard 8-week MBCT program in a self-guided format. It also includes reflection questions, tools to monitor progress, and feedback from people who have previously completed the program. To support engagement and manage difficulties, participants will also take part in three structured, low-intensity group support sessions with a health psychologist (at the start, mid-point, and end of the program). Each session will last 1 hour, be delivered by group videoconference, and include approximately 12 participants per group.
Treatment as Usual (TAU)
Other interventionTAU (treatment as usual) will be delivered as it is in routine clinical practice. In Spain, ongoing care for recurrent depression commonly relies on maintenance antidepressant medication (m-ADM). Spanish National Health System guidelines recommend continuing antidepressants for at least two years at the same dose that was effective during the acute treatment phase. Participants will be advised that, if they notice a worsening of symptoms or encounter difficulties during the study, they should seek help from their primary care General Practitioner or their usual mental health service provider, as they would normally do.
Transition from remission to relapse/recurrence, analysed within a continuous-time multi-state model over 12 months
The primary outcome will be transitions between clinically defined states of recurrent depression over the 12-month follow-up, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. The primary confirmatory transition is from remission to a major depressive episode (relapse/recurrence), whereas the transition from acute depression to remission will be examined as an exploratory objective. The presence of depression between assessments will be assessed retrospectively according to the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE), a form of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID) designed for longitudinal studies.
GRID-HAMD
Depressive symptoms
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Depressive symptoms
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
Negative Affect
Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS)
Mental well-being
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-15 items version (FFMQ-15)
Process measure: Mindfulness skills
Sussex-Oxford (Self-)Compassion Scale (SOCS-S)
Process measure: Self-compassion
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
Process measure: positive affect
Negative Effects Questionnaire (NEQ-20)
Safety: unpleasant experiences and perceived harm Score ranges from 0-80, higher scores indicating more negative effects from treatment.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
Lead sponsor
Carlos III Health Institute
Collaborator
Obra Social La Caixa, Spain
Collaborator
