Outcomes of Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Patients With Residual Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial compares the efficacy and long-term outcomes of an online version of mindful-based cognitive therapy with usual depressive care for adults with residual depressive symptoms. Key PointsQuestionCan web-based treatment of residual depressive symptoms lead to incremental benefits for adults when added to usual depression care? FindingIn this randomized clinical trial of 460 participants with residual depressive symptoms, those who received an online version of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in addition to usual care had greater reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms, higher rates of remission, and higher levels of quality of life compared with participants who received usual care only. MeaningThe findings support the value of online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an adjunctive, scalable approach for the management of residual depressive symptoms. ImportancePatients with residual depressive symptoms face a gap in care because few resources, to date, are available to manage the lingering effects of their illness. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness for treating residual depressive symptoms with Mindful Mood Balance (MMB), a web-based application that delivers mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, plus usual depression care compared with usual depression care only. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis randomized clinical trial was conducted in primary care and behavioral health clinics at Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Denver. Adults identified with residual depressive symptoms were recruited between March 2, 2015, and November 30, 2018. Outcomes were assessed for a 15-month period, comprising a 3-month intervention interval and a 12-month follow-up period. InterventionsPatients were randomized to receive usual depression care (UDC; n=230) or MMB plus UDC (n=230), which included 8 sessions delivered online for a 3-month interval plus minimal phone or email coaching support. Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrimary outcomes were reduction in residual depressive symptom severity, assessed using the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9); rates of depressive relapse (PHQ-9 scores >= 15); and rates of remission (PHQ-9 scores <5). Secondary outcomes included depression-free days, anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder-7 Item Scale), and functional status (12-Item Short Form Survey). ResultsAmong 460 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 48.30 [14.89] years; 346 women [75.6%]), data were analyzed for the intent-to-treat sample, which included 362 participants (78.7%) at 3 months and 330 (71.7%) at 15 months. Participants who received MMB plus UDC had significantly greater reductions in residual depressive symptoms than did those receiving UDC only (mean [SE] PHQ-9 score, 0.95 [0.39], P<.02). A significantly greater proportion of patients achieved remission in the MMB plus UDC group compared with the UDC only group (PHQ-9 score, <5: [SE], 0.38 [0.14], P=.008), and rates of depressive relapse were significantly lower in the MMB plus UDC group compared with the UDC only group (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39-0.95; P<.03). Compared with the UDC only group, the MMB plus UDC group had decreased depression-free days (mean [SD], 281.14 [164.99] days vs 247.54 [158.32] days; difference, -33.60 [154.14] days; t=-2.33; P=.02), decreased anxiety (mean [SE] General Anxiety Disorder-7 Item Scale score, 1.21 [0.42], P=.004), and improved mental functioning (mean [SE] 12-Item Short Form Survey score, -5.10 [1.37], P<.001), but there was no statistically significant difference in physical functioning. Conclusions and RelevanceUse of MMB plus UDC resulted in significant improvement in depression and functional outcomes compared with UDC only. The MMB web-based treatment may offer a scalable approach for the management of residual depressive symptoms. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02190968