Discontinuing antidepressant medication after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: a mixed-methods study exploring predictors and outcomes of different discontinuation trajectories, and its facilitators and barriers

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to explore predictors and outcomes associated with different trajectories of discontinuing antidepressant medication (ADM), in recurrently depressed individuals after participation in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Facilitators and barriers of discontinuation were explored qualitatively.Design Mixed-methods study combining quantitative and qualitative data, drawn from a randomised controlled trial.Setting Twelve secondary and tertiary psychiatric outpatient clinics in the Netherlands.Participants Recurrently depressed individuals (N=226) who had been using ADM for at least 6 months and in partial or full remission. Regardless of trial condition, we made post-hoc classifications of patients’ actual discontinuation trajectories: full discontinuation (n=82), partial discontinuation (n=34) and no discontinuation (n=110) of ADM within 6 months after baseline. A subset of patients (n=15) and physicians (n=7) were interviewed to examine facilitators and barriers of discontinuation.Interventions All participants were offered MBCT, which consisted of eight weekly sessions in a group.Primary and secondary outcome measures Demographic and clinical predictors of successful discontinuation within 6 months, relapse risk within 15 months associated with different discontinuation trajectories, and barriers and facilitators of discontinuation.Results Of the 128 patients assigned to MBCT with discontinuation, only 68 (53%) fully discontinued ADM within 6 months, and 17 (13%) discontinued partially. Predictors of full discontinuation were female sex, being employed and lower levels of depression. Relapse risk was lower after no discontinuation (45%) or partial discontinuation (38%), compared with full discontinuation (66%) (p=0.02). Facilitators and barriers of discontinuation were clustered within five themes: (1) pre-existing beliefs about depression, medication and tapering; (2) current experience with ADM; (3) life circumstances; (4) clinical support and (5) mindfulness.Conclusions Discontinuing antidepressants appears to be difficult, stressing the need to support patients and physicians in this process. MBCT may offer one of these forms of support.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT00928980); post-results.