The Significance and Future of Mindfulness-based Interventions in Psychiatry and Mental Health: Focusing on the Current Situation and Issues in Japan

Abstract

Since the development of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, its effectiveness in preventing the recurrence of depression has been demonstrated. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as MBCT and mindfulness-based stress reduction have rapidly spread in the field of psychiatry and mental health. To date, MBIs have been proven as effective for treating depression, anxiety, addiction, cancer, chronic pain, etc. Interventions to improve mental health are also spreading in the field of school education and business. Based on these backgrounds, we first reviewed the development of MBCT and its basic structure as an example of MBI. We then overviewed the effects of MBIs on each condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, psycho-oncology), followed by the current status and issues relevant to MBIs in Japan. Finally, we discussed the challenges regarding MBIs in Japan such as verifying the effects of nonstandardized MBIs and clarifying the mechanisms of effects and the measures for dissemination.