Mindfulness Therapy Safe for Depression, Study Confirms

Good news for the nearly 332 million people worldwide living with depression: a widely used therapy is both effective and safe.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison just confirmed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) doesn't increase the risk of symptoms getting worse. The finding comes from a comprehensive review of nine clinical trials involving 1,258 adults with recurring depression.

MBCT combines traditional cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness practices like meditation. Since a landmark 2016 study, it's become a leading recommended treatment to prevent depression from coming back.

But recent smaller studies raised concerns. Some patients reported feeling worse after treatment, causing worry among healthcare providers and patients alike.

The problem? Those studies lacked control groups, making it impossible to know if MBCT actually caused the worsening or if symptoms would have gotten worse anyway.

"Due to the pervasiveness of global depression, as well as the wide dissemination of MBCT across healthcare systems, it is crucial to investigate any possible risk factors," says Simon Goldberg, Associate Professor at UW–Madison's Department of Counseling Psychology. His team went back to analyze the original data with fresh eyes focused on safety.

The results were reassuring. Patients who received MBCT were no more likely to experience worsening symptoms than those in control groups.

Even better, some analyses showed MBCT actually decreased the risk of symptoms getting worse compared to other treatments, including antidepressants alone.

The Bright Side

This study matters because it removes a major barrier to treatment. Patients worried about potential harm can now feel more confident trying MBCT.

The therapy is already widely available across healthcare systems, meaning millions of people have access to this now-confirmed safe option. For those struggling with recurring depression, having a proven non-medication approach offers real hope and choice in their recovery journey.

The research focused specifically on people whose depression was in partial or full remission, so the findings apply most directly to preventing relapse rather than treating active episodes.

"We are optimistic following these important findings that MBCT is both helpful and not harmful to the average patient," Goldberg says, noting that future trials should continue monitoring patient experiences comprehensively.