Effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Neurocognitive Functions Among Depression Patients

Abstract

Background: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), an emerging form of psychotherapy, has shown promise in treating significant depression, anxiety, and substance dependence, among other comorbid and related conditions. The intervention’s theoretical underpinnings suggest that either a rise in mindfulness or a fall in unfavorable, repetitive thoughts could serve as potential change mechanisms. Mindfulness-based therapies offer an evidence-based, mind-body complementary treatment approach for a range of psychological illnesses. Giving individuals the tools they need to deal with depressive symptoms as they arise is the aim of MBCT. Those that are adept at these abilities might be able to rely on them in stressful situations or emergency situations. This information can help in the healing process by teaching people how to counteract negative sensations by introducing positive thoughts into depressing ones. Aim and Objective: This study was done with the objective to study the effect of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy on neurocognitive functions on depressive patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty diagnosed cases of MDD (mild to moderate level) according to ICD-10 were selected as the participants and were randomly divided into two groups: Control and Experiment Groups. Pre-test assessments were done using Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test (SNST), P.G.I Memory Scale (PGIMS), Trail Making Test (TMT), Beck and Depression Inventory (BDI). Thereafter, 16 sessions of MBCT were conducted as an intervention only with the Experiment group subsequently post-test assessments were performed to measure the difference. Results: The post-test findings revealed a significant decrease in the level of neurocognitive impairment on the conducted tests, and depressive symptoms on BDI of the depressive patients of the experiment group than the participants of the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded with the above findings that, MBCT has a significant effect on neurocognitive impairments in depressive patients.