Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a recently developed program designed to prevent relapse of depression. It integrates aspects of cognitive therapy into the mindfulness- based stress reduction program. Many studies were not yet conducted in these domains, but existing studies indicated that MBCT may have positive outcomes. This study examined the background of the development of MBCT in cognitive therapy and reviewed existing studies to explore methodological problems. In addition, this study discusses the methodological issues and proposes the direction of MBCT related research. Looking at the research results so far, it could be seen that proper randomization procedures were not clearly established. Furthermore, a control group that could be compared with the experimental group, which was undergoing mindfulness meditation, was not set up, and no attempts to compare with other types of group psychotherapy were made. It is reported that MBCT has a significant effect, but in these conditions we can\'t explain MBCT is really effective. In the future, we will verify the effects of MBCT by reducing methodological limitations. Further, we will strive to investigate the specific effects of MBCT, namely the mechanisms of MBCT\'s treatment effects compared with other forms of treatment.
Keywords:MBCT, relapse of depression, mindfulness, mechanisms of treatment.