Mindful Mood Balance
Mindful Mood Balance (MMB), an online adaptation of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), aims to treat adults with depression symptoms and prevent depressive relapse through mindfulness practices. MMB is designed to teach individuals how to become aware of and manage their thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.
Individuals are educated on the basics of mindfulness and guided mindfulness practices such as body scan (i.e., directing attention to each part of the body), meditation, breathing exercises, and mindful movement (e.g., intentional stretching, walking, or yoga). Individuals learn how to use mindfulness to manage mood shifts and prevent depressive relapse. Each session incorporates experiential practice, video-based learning, and interactive activities. Coaches can provide motivational and technical support, including an initial orientation to MMB.
MMB is rated as a promising practice because at least one study achieved a rating of moderate or high on study design and execution and demonstrated a favorable effect on a target outcome.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: May 2022
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information were informed by the following sources: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the studies reviewed.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the Review Process page or download the Handbook.
Target Population
MMB is designed to treat adults with histories of depression and residual depression symptoms.
Dosage
Individuals complete MMB at their own pace. MMB includes eight sessions intended to be completed once per week. Participants are encouraged to engage in mindfulness practices in between sessions.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
MMB is delivered online.
Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research
- Home
- Mental Health Center, Treatment Center, Therapist Office
- Online
Education, Certifications and Training
The MMB program is self-guided. If coaches are used, they should have a bachelor’s degree and professional experience in providing mental health services. Coaches must attend a 5-day MBCT workshop to learn about the basics of MBCT.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
Segal, Z. V., & Dimidjian, S. (2020). Mindful Mood Balance [Online software]. Mindful Noggin.
Available languages
The MMB manual is available in English.
Other supporting materials
For More Information
Website: https://mindfulnoggin.com/
Contact form: https://mindfulnoggin.com/contact-us/
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Mindful Mood Balance |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 5 |
| Eligible for Review | 2 |
| Rated High | 0 |
| Rated Moderate | 1 |
| Rated Low | 1 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health |
0.35
13 |
1 (2) | 409 |
Favorable:
2 No Effect: 0 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health |
0.35
13 |
1 (2) | 409 |
Favorable:
2 No Effect: 0 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 11611 - MMB plus Usual Depression Care vs. Usual Depression Care only (Segal, 2020) | |||||
| Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (.5 Months After Baseline) |
0.31
*
12 |
- | 409 | - | 0 |
| Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (1 Month After Baseline) |
0.39
*
15 |
- | 392 | - | 0 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtassoc.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 11611 - MMB plus Usual Depression Care vs. Usual Depression Care only | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Denver, CO, USA | 2015 | Average age: 48 years |
92% White 9% Hispanic or Latino 4% Other Race/ethnicity 2% Black or African American 2% Asian 0.7% American Indian or Alaskan Native 0.2% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander |
76% Female 24% Male |
100% Adults with residual depressive symptoms; 76% on antidepressant at intake; 50% Receiving current psychotherapy; 18% Previous suicide attempt |
56% With Full-time employment 12% With Part-time employment 25% >$100,000 24% $70,000-99,999 40% $30,000-69,999 11% $0-29,999 |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated Moderate
Study 11611Segal, Z. V., Dimidjian, S., Beck, A., Boggs, J. M., Vanderkruik, R., Metcalf, C. A., Gallop, R., Felder, J. N., & Levy, J. (2020). Outcomes of online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for patients with residual depressive symptoms: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(6), 563-573. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.4693
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Rated Low
Study 11483Dimidjian, S., Beck, A., Felder, J. N., Boggs, J. M., Gallop, R., & Segal, Z. V. (2014). Web-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for reducing residual depressive symptoms: An open trial and quasi-experimental comparison to propensity score matched controls. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 63, 83-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.09.004
This study received a low rating because baseline equivalence of the intervention and comparison groups was necessary and not demonstrated.Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 11445
Cillessen, L., Schellekens, M. P. J., van de Ven, M. O. M., Donders, A. R. T., Compen, F. R., Bisseling, E. M., van der Lee, M. L., & Speckens, A. E. M. (2018). Consolidation and prediction of long-term treatment effect of group and online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for distressed cancer patients. Acta Oncologica, 57(10), 1293-1302. https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2018.1479071
Compen, F. R., Bisseling, E. M., van der Lee, M. L., Adang, E. M. M., Donders, A. R. T., & Speckens, A. E. M. (2015). Study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of group and individual internet-based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with treatment as usual in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients: The BeMind study. BMC psychology, 3, Article 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-015-0084-1
Compen, F., Bisseling, E., Schellekens, M., Donders, R., Carlson, L., van der Lee, M., Speckens, A., & Compen, F. (2018). Face-to-face and internet-based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy compared with treatment as usual in reducing psychological distress in patients with cancer: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(23), 2413-2421. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2017.76.5669
Bisseling, E., Cillessen, L., Spinhoven, P., Schellekens, M., Compen, F., van der Lee, M., & Speckens, A. (2019). Development of the therapeutic alliance and its association with internet-based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for distressed cancer patients: Secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10), Article e14065. https://doi.org/10.2196/14065
Bisseling, E., Cillessen, L., Spinhoven, P., Schellekens, M., Compen, F., van der Lee, M., & Speckens, A. (2019). Development of therapeutic alliance and its association with treatment outcome in internet based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (eMBCT) compared to group-based MBCT (MBCT) for distressed cancer patients. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 121, 146-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.03.141
Bisseling, E. M., Schellekens, M. P. J., Spinhoven, P., Compen, F. R., Speckens, A. E. M., & van der Lee, M. L. (2019). Therapeutic alliance—not therapist competence or group cohesion—contributes to reduction of psychological distress in group‐based Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy for cancer patients. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 26(3), 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2352
Compen, F., Adang, E., Bisseling, E., van der Lee, M., & Speckens, A. (2019). Cost-effectiveness of individual internet-based and face-to-face Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy compared to treatment as usual in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 121, 146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.03.140
Cillessen, L., van de Ven, M. O. M., Compen, F. R., Bisseling, E. M., van der Lee, M. L., & Speckens, A. E. M. (2020). Predictors and effects of usage of an online mindfulness intervention for distressed cancer patients: Usability study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(10), Article e17526. https://doi.org/10.2196/17526
Compen, F., Adang, E., Bisseling, E., Lee, M., Speckens, A., & van der Lee, M. (2020). Cost-utility of individual internet-based and face-to-face Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy compared with treatment as usual in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients. Psycho-Oncology, 29(2), 294-303. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5246
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 11455
Bruggeman-Everts, F. Z., Wolvers, M. D. J., van de Schoot, R., Vollenbroek-Hutten, M. M. R., & van der Lee, M. L. (2017). Effectiveness of two web-based interventions for chronic cancer-related fatigue compared to an active control condition: Results of the "Fitter na kanker" randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(10), Article e366. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7180
Wolvers, M. D., Bruggeman-Everts, F. Z., van der Lee, M. L., van de Schoot, R., & Vollenbroek-Hutten, M. M. (2015). Effectiveness, mediators, and effect predictors of internet interventions for chronic cancer-related fatigue: The design and an analysis plan of a 3-armed randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 4(2), Article e77. https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.4363
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).
Study 11576
Nissen, E. R., O'Connor, M., Kaldo, V., Højris, I., Borre, M., Zachariae, R., & Mehlsen, M. (2020). Internet-delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for anxiety and depression in cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Psycho-Oncology, 29(1), 68-75. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5237
This study is ineligible for review because it is not a study of the program or service under review (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.6).