Few randomized controlled trials have directly compared the effects of mindfulness and acceptance-based MBSR and reappraisal-based CBT in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In the current study, we propose a randomized pilot study that compares MBSR and group CBT to enable a direct assessment of training in reappraisal and mindfulness-based emotion regulatory strategies, and their …
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Effects of mindfulness meditation on cell aging processes
Chronic stress and major depressive disorder are associated with accelerated cellular aging, indicated by shortened telomeres in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Psychological distress is also related to greater oxidative stress, a known cause of telomere shortening. The primary aim of the proposed research is to determine whether mindfulness meditation reduces oxidative stress and increases …
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Biopsychosocial assessment of a mindfulness-oriented treatment of alcohol dependence
This project will investigate the feasibility, acceptability, effect sizes, and therapeutic mechanisms of a novel, mindfulness-oriented cognitive therapy (MOCT) intervention for alcohol dependence, focusing on how attentional processes impact craving. A randomized control group design will be used, with 24 adult alcohol dependent persons per group. The MOCT arm will participate in 8 weekly 2 …
Does mindfulness training change the processing of social threat?
Mindfulness training is theorized to lead to a shift in perspective, a so-called “reperceiving”. The observing of inner experiences, thoughts, and emotions leads to a dis-identification from these contents of consciousness, which facilitates exposure and is thought to result in a reduction in emotional reactivity and to more adaptive responding in situations of social threat. …
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Neuropeptide levels in meditation
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or other forms of meditation have been found to decrease blood pressure, improve sleep, decrease anxiety and stress, decrease cortisol, induce the immune response, and produce other health benefits. However, the mechanism of action of meditation’s beneficial effect on health is uncertain. The peptide neurohormone oxytocin is generally considered to have …
MBSR for the treatment of pediatric chronic pain
Pediatric chronic pain is a significant public health problem. MBSR has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of clinical conditions, such as chronic pain, whether MBSR is effective for chronic pain in youth remains an empirical question. The proposed study is a two-arm randomized clinical trial examining MBSR for pediatric chronic pain. …
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Efficacy of a 16-week mindfulness-based group for combat PTSD in recruiting veterans, and pilot effects on threat detection and emotion regulation neurocircuitry
We conducted a pilot study to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of an eight week “mindfulness-based” cognitive behavioral group therapy for chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans seeking treatment at a Veterans Administration outpatient PTSD clinic (n=11) were enrolled in the study; five completed all eight sessions, three completed at least six sessions, …
Neural effects of mindfulness training on adults with ADD
In this proposal I seek to shed light on the behavioral and neural effects of mindfulness meditation training (MMT) on attention, memory, and inhibition in adults with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Eligible subjects who reach criteria for ADHD as per evaluation by the Upenn center of cognitive therapy will attend an 8-week MMT course tailored …
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How does MBSR improve psychological functioning for cancer patients?
Receiving a diagnosis and undergoing cancer treatment is associated with high levels of emotional distress and related symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, and fatigue). MBSR has been consistently shown to reduce symptoms of stress and mood disturbance among cancer patients. Despite this, the question of “how” MBSR works has not been adequately addressed; it is not …
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Mindfulness training as treatment and mechanistic probe for drug addiction
Evidence points to the role of stress in the inception and maintenance of substance use disorders. Mindfulness training (MT) has shown promise in a number of stress-related maladies. However, no studies have compared MT to empirically-validated treatments for substance use disorders or assessed its impact on stress provocation. 36 individuals with alcohol and/or cocaine use …
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