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The number of teachers leaving the profession continues to increase at a worrying rate. Factors contributing to this include burnout, heightened levels of stress, anxiety and depression. The current study tested whether the use of mindful colouring would translate to improvements in wellbeing. Teachers from the UK (n = 35) were randomly assigned to a colouring mindfulness-based intervention or waitlist group. Participants completed four scales (burnout, wellbeing, resilience and mindfulness) and participated in a 5-day intervention of daily mindfulness colouring or continued their working week as usual. Results of repeated-measures ANOVA showed statistically significant lower levels of burnout, stress, depressive symptoms and anxiety in the mindfulness colouring condition, as well as increased levels of resilience and mindfulness. Findings from the current study support the use of mindfulness colouring to significantly enhance levels of wellbeing in teachers. The study also presents an inexpensive, highly accessible and effective self-help tool for this targeted non-clinical population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative condition which affects movement, coordination and cognitive functioning. Psychological difficulties are commonly experienced; however, psychological interventions have been little researched with this population. We investigated the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) with people with the HD genetic mutation, either pre-manifest (before onset of movement symptoms) or at an early disease stage. Specifically, we evaluated the willingness of participants to be recruited into and complete the intervention; the acceptability of the study measures in relation to completion; the feasibility of offering the standard MBCT course to people with HD; the acceptability of the intervention and the estimated effect sizes. Methods: Participants were recruited from two UK HD centres and took part in an 8-week course of MBCT, with three reunions throughout the following year. Stress, depression, anxiety, and mindfulness were measured pre-, mid-, and post-course, at 3 months and at 1 year. Sleep, quality of life, positive affect and coping were measured pre- and post-course, at 3 months and at 1 year. Descriptive data and approximate effect sizes were calculated. Interviews were conducted post-course and at 1 year and data pertaining to the acceptability of the course were extracted. Results: Twelve participants took part in two groups; all were pre-manifest. Levels of depression and anxiety were low pre-course leaving little room for improvement. Changes in stress and in some aspects of mindfulness were medium to large. The qualitative data suggested participants rated the course highly and found it helpful and no changes to the standard course were needed. Recruitment levels were below those anticipated. Most measures were found to be acceptable. Conclusions: Although the course was acceptable to those who took part, given the difficulties in recruiting and the rarity of HD, conducting an RCT of MBCT teaching groups in person does not seem feasible. However, alternative modes of course delivery (e.g. online) would allow the recruitment of people from a greater geographical area and may make an RCT feasible; this revised focus would be suitable for future feasibility studies. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02464293, registered 8 June 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study details a female patient with a history of violent and self-harming behaviour detained in a medium secure forensic psychiatric service in the UK. She had a diagnosis of Intellectual Disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She experienced emotional dysregulation and instability of mood including depression-like symptoms, cognitive rigidity and intolerance to change, possibly linked to her ASD traits. Due to the hypothesised relationship between her risk and her self-reported depression symptoms she was referred for individual intervention based upon a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) model. Progress was assessed using self and staff-report measures of emotional and behavioural problems. The findings demonstrate potential efficacy of CBT based intervention structures for women within complex forensic mental-health settings. The case study highlights the importance of considering ASD profiles and idiosyncrasies in both the development of the formulation and the intervention. Attention is required regarding therapeutic endings, and the inclusion of a relapse-prevention period when delivering psychological interventions for depression with women with diagnoses of ID and ASD. This case study considers the potential influence of ASD traits upon forensic inpatient presentation and risk. The need to comprehensively assess, formulate, and intervene with, those with ASD within forensic contexts is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been successful in reducing depressive symptoms in people with chronic-recurrent depression. However, the research evaluating the efficacy of this approach, and other innovative treatments for mood disorders, has mainly been with people under 65 years. This paper aims to help redress this imbalance by exploring older people's own reflections of their experience of MBCT. Methods:A qualitative approach was used to explore 13 participants' experiences of MBCT; participants were interviewed pre and post-intervention and again after six months. To see whether the standard course requires any adaptations for older participants, the two MBCT course facilitators were interviewed post-intervention. Results:Thematic analysis identified five overarching themes and showed that older people reported positive changes in their mental health and well-being and reported being ‘released from the past’. The facilitators reported that they needed to be aware of later life issues, such as loneliness and potential physical limitations, but otherwise only minor adaptations were needed to the standard MBCT course for older people. Conclusion:MBCT is an acceptable approach for people aged 65 years and over and further research should explore potential mechanisms of change including changes in meta-cognitive awareness and self-compassion. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A sub-population of people with psoriasis have strong causal beliefs about stress, high levels of emotional distress (anxiety and depression) and an impaired quality of life (QoL). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has been found to reduce levels of stress and distress and to improve QoL. This pilot study in people with psoriasis aimed to test the hypothesis that mindfulness could reduce stress and thereby lessen psoriasis severity, improve QoL and reduce distress. Twenty-nine people with psoriasis (22–70-years old; 16 females; 13 males) were randomised to an eight-week mindfulness treatment as an adjunct to their usual psoriasis therapy or to a control group which continued with usual psoriasis therapy alone. All subjects completed self-reported measurements of psoriasis severity, perceived stress, distress and QoL, at baseline and again post-intervention. The mindfulness group reported statistically lower psoriasis severity (Self-Assessed Psoriasis Area Severity Index;z = 1.96,p = .05) and QoL impairment scores (Dermatology Life Quality Index;z = 2.30,p = .02) than the control group. There was no significant difference between groups on perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale;z = .07,p = .94) or distress scores (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale;z = 1.60,p = .11). People with psoriasis who received mindfulness as an adjunct to their usual therapy reported a significant improvement in both psoriasis severity and QoL. These pilot results suggest that a full randomised control trial is justified to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness as an adjunctive treatment for people with psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The field of Equine-Assisted Learning and Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAL/T) where horses are co-facilitators in therapeutic and learning interventions claims to offer valuable benefits for young people and adults experiencing psychosocial difficulties. Some of the reported positive outcomes from participating in EAL/T include growths in serf-confidence and serf-esteem, increasing self-awareness and behaviour modification, building trust and attachment, and a host of other physical and mental health benefits. However, the area of how being with horses may enable participants to experience benefits from the natural environment together with aspects of mindfulness has received little attention. This paper is drawn from a qualitative, ethnographic, doctoral research study with seven "at-risk" young people aged between 11-21 years participating in a Therapeutic Horsemanship programme in the UK. In addition to similar themes identified above the study found benefits related to the mindfulness and nature therapy literature. These included "being calm" and relaxation, being "in the moment", psychospiritual aspects of "feeling free", and links to theories of "emotion regulation" and "authentic functioning" (Chambers et al. 2009; Heppner and Kernis 2007). The study has clinical implications to the fields of social work and psychotherapy as it suggests that horses may offer a valuable additional intervention for "at-risk" young people who may benefit from alternative therapeutic and learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a relatively new intervention that has been developed to help people with recurrent depression stay well in the long term. Although there is evidence that depression impacts negatively on parenting, little is known regarding MBCT’s potential impact on parenting. This study used a qualitative design to explore how parents with a history of recurrent depression experience their relationships with their children one year after MBCT. We interviewed 16 parents who had participated in MBCT as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (Kuyken et al., 2008). Thematic analysis was used to identify prevalent themes in parents’ accounts, including: (i) emotional reactivity and regulation; (ii) empathy and acceptance; (iii) involvement; (iv) emotional availability and comfort; and (v) recognition of own needs. Based on these exploratory findings, we suggest that some components of MBCT may help parents with a history of depression with emotional availability, emotion regulation and self-care and set out avenues of further research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Content and Focus: This article explores the acceptability and usefulness of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Issues specific to researching this particular group are discussed also. Both peer reviewed literature and surveys from support groups are considered. Conclusions: The article argues that mindfulness and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy – an integration of mindfulness and cognitive therapy – may be acceptable and beneficial to people with ME/CFS. Particular advantages lie in a flexible and cost-efficient application. The author concludes that further research into mindfulness and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is warranted in this population. The article also highlights that a representative sample of people with ME/CFS is difficult to generate, and that findings can be hard to generalise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The current Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) agenda that focuses on the widespread dissemination of CBT in primary care services is considered alongside the emergence of third wave therapies and their role in the treatment of depression. Review: Theoretical models and empirical outcomes for Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Metacognitive Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as third wave treatments for depression are examined with implications for how mindfulness approaches can be integrated into the therapeutic work of counselling psychologists (CoPs). Conclusion: Further theoretical and empirical considerations for the inclusion of third wave therapies into the IAPT agenda are discussed with suggestions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a mindfulness group and illustrates the benefits of mindfulness groups for people who access NHS/Local Authority mental health services in terms of learning mindfulness skills, becoming more mindful in daily life and in terms of improvements in psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness is an experiential practice in the development of moment-to-moment awareness of our physical, cognitive and affective responses to internal and external stimuli. The ease with which mindfulness can be used at this most basic level has contributed to its increasingly widespread application in a variety of therapeutic modalities as a way of enhancing the healing process. Mindfulness however is not just a technique. It is a foundational Buddhist practice and is informed by the tenets of Buddhist philosophy concerning impermanence, the nature of the 'self' and interconnectedness. The potential contribution of mindfulness practice is therefore far-reaching. This provided it is not used as just another therapeutic tool, or 'another fad' to quote a recent New York Times article in which they described mindfulness as 'perhaps the most popular new psychotherapy technique of the past decade' (Carey, 2008). In this article I chart the ascent of mindfulness in the field of cognitive therapy, as it is through cognitive therapy that its clinical application has been popularised in the U.K. I then explore mindfulness in the context of the four Buddhist Noble Truths as the practice of Mindfulness is regarded as essential in one's experiential confrontation with these fundamental aspects of human existence. It is in this context that the congruity of Mindfulness with Existential thought becomes most apparent. My purpose in writing this article is to argue that in comparison to Cognitive Therapy and Psychoanalysis the two modalities where Mindfulness has been most widely adopted and adapted, it is Existential Therapy that has the most in common with it. Mindfulness could deepen and enrich the process of exploration of the client's experience which is the focus of Existential Therapy, adding a much needed experiential dimension. In addition, because of it congruence with Existential Therapy, it is there that Mindfulness could yield its fullest therapeutic benefits, not just as vehicle of discrete change, but as a practice conducive to the far-reaching existential re-evaluation Existential Therapy is about. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based approach for people at risk of depressive relapse to support their long-term recovery. However, despite its inclusion in guidelines, there is an 'implementation cliff'. The study objective was to develop a better explanation of what facilitates MBCT implementation., Setting: UK primary and secondary care mental health services., Design, Participants and Methods: A national two-phase, multi-method qualitative study was conducted, which was conceptually underpinned by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. Phase I involved interviews with stakeholders from 40 service providers about current provision of MBCT. Phase II involved 10 purposively sampled case studies to obtain a more detailed understanding of MBCT implementation. Data were analysed using adapted framework analysis, refined through stakeholder consultation., Results: Access to MBCT is variable across the UK services. Where available, services have adapted MBCT to fit their context by integrating it into their care pathways. Evidence was often important to implementation but took different forms: the NICE depression guideline, audits, evaluations, first person accounts, experiential taster sessions and pilots. These were used to build a platform from which to develop MBCT services. The most important aspect of facilitation was the central role of the MBCT implementers. These were generally self-designated individuals who 'championed' grass-roots implementation. Our explanatory framework mapped out a prototypical implementation journey, often over many years with a balance of bottom-up and top-down factors influencing the fit of MBCT into service pathways. 'Pivot points' in the implementation journey provided windows of either challenge or opportunity., Conclusions: This is one of the largest systematic studies of the implementation of a psychological therapy. While access to MBCT across the UK is improving, it remains patchy. The resultant explanatory framework about MBCT implementation provides a heuristic that informed an implementation resource., Competing Interests: Competing interests: JR-M was a commissioned work stream board member of the HS&DR Programme when this work was funded, and subsequently was appointed as NIHR HS&DR Programme Director. RSC receives royalties for MBCT Distinctive Features, Routledge 2017. She is a trustee of the Mindfulness Network, a charity offering CPD services to mindfulness-based teachers. She directs the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University which delivers professional training for mindfulness-based teachers. WK is the Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, a research, training and education centre that is a collaboration between the University of Oxford and the not-for-profit charity, the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. He donates all speaking or consultancy fees in full to the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

NICE guidelines indicate one in five people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives with relapse rates of 50–80% in those who have experienced one or more episodes of depression (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence [NICE], 2007). By 2020, depression is predicted to be the second largest cause of death or disability and consequently there is a need to explore and develop the ways of working with depression. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group psycho-educational treatment designed to reduce the risk of recurrent depression by integrating mindfulness based meditation practices with cognitive therapy techniques (Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2002). MBCT comprises eight weekly two-hour group sessions with additional time for meditative homework practice. As yet, little is known about how patients experience meditative homework assignments in a UK public health setting. This study examines subjective accounts of the meaning of carrying out meditative homework assignments in terms of impact on the self as well as an exploration of barriers and facilitating factors from a participant''s perspective. Six Individual in-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and an Interpretative Phenomenological Approach was used to analyse the data. Results focus on perceived facilitating factors and difficulties experienced in carrying out meditative homework as well as implications for clinical practice in the prevention of recurrent depression. Transformation of participant’s experience of the self and social relatedness as a consequence of meditative homework is discussed in relation to existing psychological literature and the practise of MBCT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]