Research group Psychiatry with a focus on affective disorders

Aims

We aim to investigate:

1. Mindfulness and compassion for patients with chronic and recurrent depression, ADHD, autism and other psychiatric disorders.
2. Mindfulness for patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Mindfulness and compassion for medical students, medical and surgical residents, general practitioners, medical consultants and nurses.
4. Mindfulness and compassion to prevent mental health problems in young people. 

Achievements

At the Radboudumc Expertise Centre for Mindfulness, we conduct research on the efficacy, (cost)effectiveness, working mechanisms, and implementation of Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Interventions. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) are 8-weeks, structured group interventions that integrates mindfulness meditation practices with elements of cognitive therapy, aiming to help individuals develop more awareness of their thoughts and emotions and relate to them in a more adaptive, self-compassionate and non-reactive way.

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for reducing depressive symptoms

  While Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was originally developed to prevent relapse in recurrent depression, we have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing residual, current and chronic depressive symptoms. Given its focus on transdiagnostic processes, particularly emotion regulation, over the years MBCT has gained a broader applicability. For example, we have also shown beneficial effects of MBCT in people with ADHD, children with ADHD and their parents, and people with bipolar disorder. Ongoing studies are investigating the effectiveness of MBCT in youth at risk for developing psychiatric disorders (PRYME study) and exploring its potential benefits in people with hypersensitivity, relationship problems and within transgender healthcare.

• Reducing psychological distress in people with chronic somatic conditions

  We have shown MBIs to be effective in reducing psychological distress and enhancing well-being in people with chronic somatic conditions, for example cancer, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Parkinson’s disease. In both people with psychological and somatic conditions, we investigate mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of MBCT. This includes research on possible mediating factors, such as mindfulness skills, rumination, and self-compassion. In these studies we use advanced statistical approaches, experimental cognitive tests and neuroimaging.

   

• The effectiveness of MBI for health care professionals

  We have conducted studies on the effectiveness of MBIs for health care professionals: medical students, medical and surgical residents, general practitioners and medical specialists. MBIs were demonstrated to increase well-being and work-life balance of health care professionals themselves, but also to improve their professional development, doctor-patient relationship and quality of patient care. More recently, we have initiated implementation research to make MBIs more available in mental health care for both patients and professionals.

Publications

See the publication list of the research group leader on Web of Science.

• A selection of our publications

  • Randomized Controlled Trial of Group-Blended and Individual-Unguided Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Reduce Psychological Distress in People With Cancer. Nasim Badaghi, Linda Kwakkenbos, Judith Prins, Rogier Donders, Saskia Kelders & Anne Speckens (2025).
  • Group-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Reduce Psychological Distress and Improve Sleep in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (MindIBD). Milou ter Avest, Marloes Huijbers, Carmen Horjus, Tessa Römkens, Ellen Witteman, Willemijn van Dop, Martin Dresler, Rogier Donders, Gerard Dijkstra, Loes Nissen & Anne Speckens (2025). 
  • Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Mental Health Outcomes in Frontline Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Marieke Arts-de Jong, Dirk Geurts, Philip Spinhoven, Eric Ruhé, Anne Speckens (2025).
  • Rumination and Self-Compassion Moderate Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Patients With Recurrent and Persistent Major Depressive Disorder: A Controlled Trial. Jelle Lubbers, Dirk Geurts, Philip Spinhoven, Mira Cladder-Micus, Demi Ennen, Anne Speckens, Jan Spijker (2024). 
  • Promoting Resilience in Youth through Mindfulness mEditation (PRYME): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of mindfulness training as add-on to care-as-usual on internalizing problems, mental illness development, and associated brain and cognitive processes in help-seeking youth. Maud Schepers, Paul Lagerweij, Dirk Geurts, Florian Krause, Hanneke den Ouden, Roshan Cools, Anne Speckens, Guusje Collin (2025). 
  • Study protocol for the MIND-PD study: a randomized controlled trial to investigate clinical and biological effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in people with Parkinson's disease. Anouk van der Heide, Franziska Goltz, Nienke de Vries, Bas Bloem, Anne Speckens, Rick Helmich (2024). 
  • Improved quality of life and psychological symptoms following mindfulness and cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis and their mediating role for cognition: a randomized controlled trial. Ilse Nauta, Maureen van Dam, Dirk Bertens, Roy Kessels, Luciano Fasotti, Bernard Uitdehaag, Anne Speckens, Brigit de Jong BA (2024). 
  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. treatment as usual in people with bipolar disorder: A multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Imke Hanssen, Marloes Huijbers, Eline Regeer, Marc Lochmann van Bennekom, Anja Stevens, Petra van Dijk, Elvia Boere, Rob Havermans, Rogier Hoenders, Ralph Kupka, Anne Speckens (2023).
  • A randomised controlled trial (MindChamp) of a mindfulness-based intervention for children with ADHD and their parents. Nienke Siebelink, Susan Bögels, Anne Speckens, Janneke Dammers, Thomas Wolfers, Jan Buitelaar, Corina Greven (2022). 
  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. treatment as usual in adults with ADHD: a multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lotte Janssen, Cees Kan, Pieter Carpentier, Bram Sizoo, Sevket Hepark, Melanie Schellekens, Rogier Donders, Jan Buitelaar, Anne Speckens (2019).