This RCT examined whether 8 weeks of MBCT added to citalopram 20 mg/day (MBCT+TAU, n=36) versus citalopram alone (TAU, n=30) changed depressive symptoms and cortical EEG activity (via eLORETA power spectrum density) in 66 women with MDD.
MBCT+TAU produced greater BDI-II reduction than TAU (11.58 vs. 13.03 post-treatment; ANCOVA F(1,63)=14.17, p<0.001, partial η²=0.18). EEG showed MBCT+TAU had significantly decreased theta power and increased upper alpha and low beta power in insula and frontal regions (corrected p<0.05).
- All-female sample limits generalizability to men. - Study was not preregistered, raising risk of outcome reporting bias. - EEG source localization (eLORETA) infers regional activity but cannot confirm precise anatomical origins.
Adding MBCT to stable SSRI therapy produces measurable reductions in depressive symptoms and favorable EEG changes in women with MDD. Clinicians treating women with MDD on citalopram may consider MBCT as a structured adjunct to boost response.
