The efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in regulating cognition and emotion of patients with depression: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: A number of reviews report the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in the treatment of depressive disorders, however, there is a dearth of qualitative reviews examining the efficacy of MBCT in regulating cognitions and emotions. Objective: To systematically review the efficacy of MBCT in alleviating depressive symptoms, preventing relapse in patients with depression (PWD), and identify the different cognitive and affective factors that influence its effectiveness. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in six electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, JSTOR, Scopus, and Science Direct) up to May 13, 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing MBCT in adults with depressive disorders. We appraised the methodological quality of the included studies using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias 2.0. Results: The present systematic review followed the PRISMA guideline, and out of 1151 screened studies, 117 were eligible for full-text review. 17 studies were finally included in this review. All included studies utilized RCTs, comparing MBCT vs treatment as usual (TAU) and one study compares MBCT with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and TAU. The results support that MBCT effectively manages the symptoms of depressive disorders and regulates cognition and emotions. Conclusion: MBCT, when implemented with pharmacological treatment, demonstrates significant efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms, reducing thought rumination, regulating emotions, and enhancing mindfulness. Further, MBCT reduces relapse rates in patients with depression. PROSPERO registration: CRD42024548497 © 2025 The Author(s)