Exploring direct experience as a core element behind mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Abstract

Currently, there is a growing interest in exploring the underlying processes that explain how and why therapeutic approaches work. This study aims to investigate whether Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can enhance direct experience compared to a control intervention. 72 women diagnosed with eating disorders were assigned to either MBCT or a control treatment. Pre- and post-intervention, participants were asked to eat an orange slice and write down thoughts about the eating experience, classifying the focus of each experience as either experiential or analytical. Compared with the control group, participants who underwent MBCT showed a statistically significant increase in direct experience.