Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Individuals Who Are Suicidal: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Eva De Jaegere, Eva Dumon, Kees Van Heeringen, Renate Van Landschoot, Pauline Stas, Gwendolyn Portzky
Archives of suicide research : official journal of the International Academy for Suicide Research January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2023.2282663 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial tested a version of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy adapted for suicidal individuals (MBCT-S) combined with treatment as usual against treatment as usual alone. Adults 18 or older with suicidal ideation participated. At a 12-week follow-up, those receiving MBCT-S showed significantly greater reductions in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. Within the intervention group, significant decreases occurred in suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, worrying, defeat, and entrapment, alongside increased mindfulness, both immediately after treatment and at follow-up. The findings suggest MBCT-S is a promising suicide-specific intervention that may reduce suicidal ideation and related factors.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults 18 years or older with suicidal ideation |
| Intervention | treatment as usual |
| Duration | 12-week follow-up after end of training |
| Keywords | Group training Mindfulness-based intervention Safety planning Suicide |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key finding | MBCT-S combined with treatment as usual significantly reduced suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms at 12-week follow-up compared to treatment as usual alone. |
Abstract
There is a need for well-described treatments targeting individuals at risk for suicidal behaviors. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of MBCT adapted to individuals who are suicidal (MBCT-S) in a randomized controlled trial, comparing an intervention group receiving MBCT-S and treatment as usual (TAU) with a control group receiving TAU only. Participants who were 18 years or older and experienced suicidal ideation were included. Assessments on suicidal ideation and symptoms associated with suicidal behavior were carried out at baseline, post-treatment, and 12 weeks after the end of the training. When comparing the intervention group with the control group, a significant reduction was found at follow-up in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. When focusing on the intervention group only, a significant reduction was found in suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, worrying, defeat, and entrapment, and a significant increase in mindfulness both at post-treatment and at follow-up. The findings suggest that MBCT-S is a promising suicide-specific intervention as it may have the potential to reduce suicidal ideation and suicide-related components.