MedPath

MBCT and CBT for Depression in Patients After Cancer: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable
Conditions
Depressive Symptoms
Interventions
Behavioral: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Registration Number
NCT02619916
Lead Sponsor
University Medical Center Groningen
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients after cancer

Detailed Description

Cancer patients are prone to develop depressive symptoms, even after curative treatment. Conventional therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are frequently used for reducing these depressive symptoms in patients with medical conditions. However, until now evidence from proper designed randomized controlled trials regarding the effectiveness of both interventions in cancer survivors, is lacking. Therefore, our longitudinal study aims to investigate the effectiveness of CBT and MBCT in reducing depressive symptoms in cancer survivors. In addition, potential moderators and mediators of each intervention will be explored.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
192
Inclusion Criteria
  • Written informed consent
  • Completion of curative cancer treatment (for primary diagnosis of cancer or possible recurrence of cancer) at least one year ago and no longer than five years ago.
  • Currently no active cancer.
  • ≥ 18 at the time of diagnosis of cancer and ≤ 75 at inclusion.
  • Depressive symptoms as assessed by a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥ 10 (indicating presence of at least mild depressive symptoms).
  • Being able to read, write, and speak Dutch.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Severe psychiatric co-morbidity (i.e. acute suicidal ideations or behavior, recently experienced psychosis, diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, drug abuse or substance dependence, serious cognitive or neurological problems).
  • Receiving psychological treatment for depressive symptoms, currently or less than two months prior to study participation.
  • Unstable antidepressant medication regimen two months prior to inclusion of the study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
MBCTMindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in severity of depressive symptomspre-treatment (baseline) to post-treatment (approximately 3 months after baseline) and 3- and 9-month follow-up

Severity of depressive symptoms will be assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in generalized anxietypre-treatment (baseline) to post-treatment (approximately 3 months after baseline) and 3- and 9-month follow-up

Generalized anxiety is measured by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD 7)

Change in well-beingpre-treatment (baseline) to post-treatment (approximately 3 months after baseline) and 3- and 9-month follow-up

Well-being is measured by the WHO Well-being Index (WHO-5)

Change in fatiguepre-treatment (baseline) to post-treatment (approximately 3 months after baseline) and 3- and 9-month follow-up

Fatigue is measured by the subsequent scale of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20)

Change in fear of recurrencepre-treatment (baseline) to post-treatment (approximately 3 months after baseline) and 3- and 9-month follow-up

Fear of recurrence will be measured by Concerns About Recurrence Scale (CARS)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UMCG

🇳🇱

Groningen, Netherlands

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath