Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Depression among Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in treating depressive symptoms among caregivers of cancer patients in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental design with 69 caregivers from two cancer centers compared the MBCT intervention against treatment as usual, with depression assessed using BDI-II at baseline, midline, and endline. Data analysis used SPSS with descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and Cohen's d effect sizes to evaluate intervention effectiveness.

Findings: The experimental group showed a steady decline in the mean scores of depression (M = 12.97, SD = 3.68), while the control group’s scores increased (M = 21.42, SD = 5.90). This trend continued at endline, with the experimental group’s scores declining further (M = 10.58, SD = 4.01), contrasted by persistently elevated scores in the control group (M = 20.19, SD = 7.85). The difference between groups at endline was statistically significant (p < .001), with large effect sizes observed at both midline (Cohen’s d = −1.713) and endline (Cohen’s d = −1.513), indicating robust clinical relevance. The findings demonstrate that MBCT is a highly effective intervention for treating depressive symptoms among caregivers of cancer patients.

Conclusion: The study concludes that MBCT effectively reduced depression among cancer caregivers in Nairobi County.

Recommendations: The study recommends implementing routine mental health screening for caregivers in oncology settings. The study recommends developing culturally ada