Research on MBCL

Studies on MBCL onfirm its impact on mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental health improvements. Read more about the beneficial effects of MBCL.

Evidence of efficiacy of MBCL

There has been a lot of research into the beneficial effects of mindfulness and self-compassion in general. Also specific (self-) compassion training programmes are increasingly studied.

The MBCL programme itself has shown beneficial effects in a growing number of studies – inside and outside the mental health services, on location and online, in controlled and uncontrolled, quantitative and qualitative research.

There are currently three published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of MBCL training. RCT´s are considered the ‘gold standard’ for unequivocal proof of a programme’s effectiveness.

The studies investigated…

  • the effect of MBCL after an MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) course in people with recurrent depression. (Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, 2020)
  • a short online intervention with MBCL exercises in students with high levels of self-criticism. (University of Bratislava, Slovakia, 2020)
  • the effectiveness of MBCL compared to standard treatment in people with recurrent depression. (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands, 2016)

Summary of the evidence of MBCL´s effectiveness

In summary, research up to date confirms that after an MBCL intervention

  • mindfulness, self-compassion, quality of life and resilience increase,
  • and depression, self-criticism, anxiety, and stress levels decrease.

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