Page No.51-59
Farah Malik and Sultan Shujja
GC University, Lahore Pakistan University of Sargodha
This study was a preliminary effort at examining the effectiveness of mindfulnessbased cognitive therapy in patients with depression. A single case design with pre
and post assessments was adopted. The sample consisted of five patients with
depression. They were assessed on measures of depression, dysfunctional
cognitions, quality of life (QoL) and work and social adjustment. The intervention
included eight weekly sessions of mindfulness meditation and cognitive restructuring.
The percentage of clinically significant change from pre to post-therapy was
calculated. Four patients completed therapy. Three patients showed clinically
significant improvement on depression, work and social adjustment and QoL.
Changes in dysfunctional beliefs were not significant, suggesting that beliefs take a
longer time and more sessions to change. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
can be an effective treatment for recurrent depression, and it can be also helpful in
addressing factors that maintain depressive symptoms