Research MBCL

Agna Bartels of the Centre for Integrative Psychiatry (CIP) and researchers of the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) have done research on MBCL; the results of their research  are published in magazine Mindfulness. Click here to read or download the article.


Anne Speckens of the Radboud University in Nijmegen and her team have done research on MBCL with clients with recurrent depression who have already followed an MBCT-programme. Their study is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of compassion training following MBCT in a recurrently depressed population. The first results were published by Rhoda Schuling in Chester during the annual international Mindfulness Conference, organised by the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (CMRP) of the University of Bangor. The results are very promosing, with a significant growth in mindfulness and self-compassion and reduction of depressive symptoms. Click here for the protocol article, that was published in Contemporary Clinical Trials.


A Swiss pilot study of an MBCL-based online programme among self-referring individuals with high levels of self-criticism, showed a significant increase in mindfulness, self-compassion, reassuring self and satisfaction with life; and a significant decrease in inadequate self, hated self, perceived stress and fear of compassion (Krieger, Martig, Van den Brink & Berger, 2016). Results correlated with time spent in the programme and were maintained at six-week follow-up. The definite results still have to be published, more information will follow.