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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Electrophysiological and behavioral assessment of a mindfulness-based pain management program for patients with chronic pain

Previous studies have provided some evidence that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) may be beneficial for patients with chronic pain. This effect may be mediated by an improved ability to regulate emotional responses to pain due to improved attentional control. Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are useful for measuring the time-course of anticipatory and pain-evoked responses and their …

Using MBCT to prevent relapse to suicidality in patients suffering from ongoing depressive symptoms

A considerable number of those who suffer from depression develop a chronic course of the disorder in which symptoms remain over prolonged periods of time and risk for suicidality is significantly increased. Once patients have entered such a course, response to established treatments is significantly reduced. The aim of the current study was to test …

Neural Correlates of PTSD Prevention with MBSR in Iraq Veterans

With recently discharged veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as our subjects, this study examines the neuroanatomical underpinnings as well as cognitive and perceptual biases associated with the progression of early onset Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We are comparing the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR; treatment) to Supportive Therapy (ST; control) as early interventions …