Improved sleep quality due to mindfulness meditation within mindfulness-based cognitive therapy could be the mediator between mindfulness, improved depression, and lowered relapse risk because mindfulness meditation reduces sympathetic hyperarousal and decreases negative emotions such as anxiety, stress, and rumination that can contribute to insomnia.

Sleep quality as a potential mediator between mindfulness and depression relapse

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines elements of mindfulness and cognitive therapy.  MBCT helps patients with depression recognize when their mood begins to drop and teaches them awareness in able to reduce their maladaptive patterns of thoughts. It is effective in reducing rates of depression relapse, as well as current depression symptoms.

University of California, Davis

- Depression in general (not specific)
- Treatment Resistant depression
- Treating depression relapse 

Types of Depression that Are Treated by Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Hofmann, S. G., &amp; Gómez, A. F. (2018). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(4), 739–749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.08.008 

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can help patients with treatment resistant depression minimize depression relapse and current symptoms by reducing depressive rumination and increasing self-compassion and mindfulness.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Treatment-Resistant Depression

How Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Treats Depression

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) teaches patients that have depression that are currently in remission to become aware of their thoughts and feelings and how to approach  them differently from before.  MBCT has shown to be significantly important in helping prevent relapse.  However, it must be noted that while the current research points to a positive direction, research is limited so more must be done.

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