Interventi basati sulla mindfulness per la gestione della depressione: il contributo infermieristico

Background: depression represents a major public health challenge, affecting over 332 million people worldwide and causing significant repercussions on individual functioning and on the burden of healthcare systems. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBCT, MBSR, yoga, and breath-focused meditation) aim to promote a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, reducing rumination and enhancing emotional regulation and well-being; within this framework, nurses can play an important role in health education and in supporting the adoption of these practices. Objective: to analyze the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in the management of depression in adults and to outline the nursing contribution within a multidisciplinary perspective. Materials and Methods: a literature review was conducted using the PubMed database between July and September 2025. Studies published in the past ten years on adult human populations with unipolar depressive disorder and clinically significant symptoms assessed through validated scales were included. The methodological quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Results: 14 studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included: 8 randomized controlled trials, 1 mixed-methods feasibility study, 1 randomized controlled study, 1 controlled clinical trial, 1 qualitative research, 1 quasi-experimental study, and 1 observational study. The interventions examined included Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Hatha Yoga, and Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, assessed in comparison with treatment as usual, Health Enhancement Programs, active control conditions, or wait-list controls. Conclusion: Mindfulness-based interventions appear to be effective and complementary in the management of major depressive disorder, leading to reductions in depressive symptoms, rumination, and anxiety, together with improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, and quality of life. Structured programs such as MBCT and MBSR are confirmed to be valid for both treatment and relapse prevention, while mind–body practices such as Hatha Yoga and Sudarshan Kriya Yoga provide additional benefits in emotional regulation. Despite methodological limitations (sample heterogeneity, variable protocols, and short follow-up periods), the evidence remains consistent and indicates stronger effects among individuals with high rumination or low self-compassion. Nurses emerge as key figures in the implementation and monitoring of these interventions; further rigorous studies and greater integration of mindfulness into nursing education are recommended to promote a truly person-centered approach. Keywords: Mindfulness, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Depression, Depressive Disorder, Yoga, Meditation.

Background: la depressione rappresenta una sfida rilevante di salute pubblica, interessando oltre 332 milioni di persone e causando significative ripercussioni sul funzionamento individuale e sul carico dei sistemi sanitari. Gli interventi basati sulla mindfulness (MBCT, MBSR, yoga e meditazione sul respiro) mirano a promuovere una consapevolezza non giudicante del presente, riducendo ruminazione e migliorando regolazione emotiva e benessere; in questo ambito l’infermiere può avere un ruolo importante nell’educazione e nel sostegno all’adozione delle pratiche. Obiettivo: analizzare l’efficacia degli interventi mindfulness nella gestione della depressione in adulti e delineare il contributo infermieristico in un’ottica multidisciplinare. Materiali e metodi: revisione della letteratura su banca dati PubMed condotta tra luglio e settembre 2025. Sono stati inclusi studi pubblicati negli ultimi 10 anni su popolazione adulta, soggetti umani, con disturbo depressivo unipolare e sintomi clinicamente rilevanti valutati con scale validate. La qualità metodologica degli articoli è stata valutata utilizzando gli strumenti di appraisal del Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Risultati: al termine della ricerca bibliografica sono stati selezionati 14 articoli conformi ai criteri di eleggibilità: 8 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 1 mixed-methods feasibility study, 1 randomized controlled study, 1 controlled clinical trial, 1 qualitative research, 1 quasi-experimental study e 1 studio osservazionale. Gli interventi esaminati comprendevano Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Hatha Yoga e Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, valutati attraverso confronti con treatment as usual, Health Enhancement Program, controlli attentivi o liste d’attesa. Conclusione: gli interventi basati sulla mindfulness risultano efficaci e complementari nella gestione del disturbo depressivo maggiore, determinando riduzioni dei sintomi depressivi, della ruminazione e dell’ansia, insieme a miglioramenti di mindfulness, self-compassion e qualità di vita. Programmi strutturati come MBCT e MBSR si confermano validi per il trattamento e per la prevenzione delle ricadute; pratiche mind–body quali Hatha Yoga e Sudarshan Kriya Yoga forniscono benefici aggiuntivi sulla regolazione emotiva. Nonostante limiti metodologici (eterogeneità dei campioni, protocolli variabili, follow-up spesso brevi), le evidenze sono coerenti e segnalano effetti più marcati nei soggetti con elevata ruminazione o bassa self-compassion. L’infermiere emerge come figura importante nell’implementazione e nel monitoraggio di questi interventi; sono auspicabili studi più rigorosi e una maggiore integrazione della mindfulness nella formazione per un’adozione realmente centrata sulla persona. Parole chiave: Mindfulness, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Depression, Depressive disorder, Yoga, Meditation.