Background: Efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Traditional Cognitive Behavior Therapy in reduction of psychiatric symptoms of patients with Major Depressive Disorder in 2007 is considered in this study.

Materials and Methods: This clinical-experimental study was carried out on 90 patients randomly selected from 160 cases referr ing to Tehran University Consulting Centers, Shahed University and Saba Rehabilitation Clinic and met DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. They were divided into 3 equal groups including CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy), MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy)] with CBT, and TAU (Treatment As Usual). The first and second groups received psychological treatment while the third ones received medications. They were between 18 and 45 years old with two depression episodes and evaluated through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) and self–report by Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), in two pre and post tests. Data were analyzed by t-test, and Co-variance analysis.

Results: MBCT with CBT and CBT groups have significantly reduced psychiatric symptoms and psychological distress. The combined method has effects similar with traditional CBT therapy.

Conclusion: Elements from MBCT and CBT in comparison to CBT made treatment more effective.