Neural Changes Associated With a Mindfulness-based Intervention for Young Adults With Childhood Maltreatment



Status:Completed
Conditions:Anxiety, Anxiety, Depression, Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 35
Updated:4/17/2018
Start Date:August 1, 2014
End Date:July 21, 2016

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Childhood maltreatment is remarkably prevalent, and it has been shown to be associated with a
wide spectrum of mental health problems, and it also been shown to be associated with smaller
hippocampal volumes. This trial aims to see whether the 8-week mindfulness based stress
reduction intervention can reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD for young
adults with childhood maltreatment, and whether it can increase the hippocampal volumes.

Sixty subjects with early life adversity such as parental emotional neglect, verbal abuse,
physical abuse, sexual abuse or peer bullying, will be recruited into the study, half of them
will be allocated to the group to receive an 8-week mindfulness based stress reduction(MBSR)
intervention, half of them will be allocated to the waitlist control group which will
complete the same research procedures as the MBSR group at the same time and receive the MBSR
intervention after the waiting period. MRI and a battery of self report questionnaires will
be administered before and after the intervention for investigating changes in hippocampal
volumes, perceived stress, depression and anxiety. Primary hypotheses include increased
hippocampal volumes and reduced levels of perceived stress, depression and anxiety.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Experience of childhood maltreatment

- With current age between 21 to 35 years old

- With current symptoms of depression or anxiety or PTSD or significant general stress.

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of psychiatric disorders with psychotic features

- Suicidal attempts during the past six months

- Neurological disorders

- And common MRI exclusion criteria

- Prior history with MBSR or other systematic meditation programs.
We found this trial at
1
site
185 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
617-724-5200
Phone: 617-643-6628
?
mi
from
Boston, MA
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