Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Older People

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Older People in a community setting: a mixed methods feasibility study

• IRAS ID

  180820

• Contact name

  Hamish McLeod

• Contact email

  hamish.mcleod@glasgow.ac.uk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 10 days

• Research summary

  Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a psychological treatment that has been developed from Buddhist practices but is non-religious. MBCT was originally developed for people who have experienced depression more than three times (Segal, et al, 2002) and is run in groups (around 8-12 people). MBCT has been recognized as an effective treatment for depression and is recommended for recurrent depression in working age adults (Matrix, 2009). There is limited but promising research into MBCT for older people. We plan to conduce a feasibility study that will explore whether it is possible to deliver MBCT to older people and whether older people find it an acceptable intervention. The research will also begin to look at what changes occur during MBCT to improve symptoms of depression.
  Participants will be people who are over 65 years old living in Lanarkshire, who have a history of depression and are currently symptomatic. NHS staff working in Old Age Psychiatry teams will be asked to keep the study in mind and identify potential participants. Participants will be given an information pack and if they want to take part then the staff member will let the researcher know. For those who consent to participate, they will be asked to take attend a 2-hour session every week over 8 weeks (8 sessions in total). Before, during, and after the group they will be asked to complete questionnaires about their mood, thinking style and mindfulness skills. They will attend a semi-structured interview after the group has finished to discuss their experience of the group. Results from this research will increase understanding of how older people find MBCT and will help set the parameters for further research trials of MBCT in OAs.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 3

• REC reference

  15/WS/0285

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Dec 2015

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion