A study in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that mindfulness based interventions significantly reduced risk of major depression relapse/recurrence.  The study taught those involved how to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in order to reduce ruminative habitual thought patterns. The program included eight weekly 2 hour group sessions with daily homework exercises. Homework consisted of some form of awareness/mindfulness exercises that removed judgements or thoughts from the action at hand.  Awareness of experience was a theme throughout the intervention.  Researchers argue that mindfulness changes our relationships to negative thoughts and emotions and not our beliefs about the same.  Other approaches attempt to change our beliefs regarding intrusive and negative thoughts and are as effective.  However, mindfulness does not address beliefs but rather the relationship we have with thoughts.  In a mindful state, we have no thoughts regarding our thoughts or feelings.

Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., Ridgeway, V. A., Soulsby, J. M., & Lau, M. A. (2000). Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 4, 615-623.

Teasdale, J. D., Moore, R. G., Hayhurst, H., Pope, M., Williams, S., & Segal, Z. V. (January 01, 2002). Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 2, 275-87.