Dismantling Mindfulness: Contributions of Attention vs. Acceptance
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Depression |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 11/7/2018 |
| Start Date: | February 2013 |
| End Date: | March 15, 2016 |
This study addresses NCCAM's request for research that investigates the neuropsychological
mechanisms underlying mind-body therapies, and for precise criteria and better delineation of
meditation practices.
The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy and mechanism of action of 2
component practices of "mindfulness meditation", i.e. focused awareness (FA) and open
monitoring (OM) in comparison to each other and to the standard package, Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
mechanisms underlying mind-body therapies, and for precise criteria and better delineation of
meditation practices.
The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy and mechanism of action of 2
component practices of "mindfulness meditation", i.e. focused awareness (FA) and open
monitoring (OM) in comparison to each other and to the standard package, Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
Meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation, is one of the most popular Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies for alleviating emotional stress, depression and
anxiety. While standardized meditation-based treatment packages like Mindfulness Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) have reliably shown sustained
improvements in emotional disturbances and wellbeing, they contain so many different
components and practices that the active ingredient cannot be ascertained. What is commonly
called "Mindfulness" meditation is actually comprised of two separate practices: 1) focused
awareness practice (FA), and 2) open-monitoring practice (OM). This project aims to create
separate 8 week programs for FA and OM meditations, compare their clinical efficacy and
investigate their separate mechanisms of action in individuals with clinically significant
levels of persistent negative affect and depression. The clinical benefit and mechanism of
action of focused awareness (FA) vs open-monitoring (OM) vs MBCT will be examined with a
3-armed randomized control trial of these 8 week interventions. Outcome variables include
negative affect (depression, anxiety, stress) and wellbeing. Hypothesized mediating processes
include objectively measured attention, emotion regulation and the basic wakefulness on which
they depend.
Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies for alleviating emotional stress, depression and
anxiety. While standardized meditation-based treatment packages like Mindfulness Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) have reliably shown sustained
improvements in emotional disturbances and wellbeing, they contain so many different
components and practices that the active ingredient cannot be ascertained. What is commonly
called "Mindfulness" meditation is actually comprised of two separate practices: 1) focused
awareness practice (FA), and 2) open-monitoring practice (OM). This project aims to create
separate 8 week programs for FA and OM meditations, compare their clinical efficacy and
investigate their separate mechanisms of action in individuals with clinically significant
levels of persistent negative affect and depression. The clinical benefit and mechanism of
action of focused awareness (FA) vs open-monitoring (OM) vs MBCT will be examined with a
3-armed randomized control trial of these 8 week interventions. Outcome variables include
negative affect (depression, anxiety, stress) and wellbeing. Hypothesized mediating processes
include objectively measured attention, emotion regulation and the basic wakefulness on which
they depend.
Inclusion Criteria:
- English-speaking
- ages 18-65
- mild-severe levels of depression or high level of negative affect
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current:
- age <18 or >65
- inability to read and write in English
- Extremely severe levels of depression
- active suicidal ideation
- presence of Axis I personality disorder
- panic disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- eating disorder, or substance abuse/dependence
- current psychotherapy
- change in antidepressant medication type or dosage in the last 8 weeks.
Lifetime history exclusions:
- bipolar disorder
- psychotic disorders
- persistent antisocial behavior or repeated self-harm,
- borderline personality disorder,
- organic brain damage
- regular meditation practice
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