American Psychologist
October 1, 2015
Sona Dimidjian, Zindel V. Segal
297 citations
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction are widely studied, but their public health impact could be improved by embedding them in a broader clinical psychological science framework. Using the National Institutes of Health stage model, the authors identify gaps in the current evidence base and argue that continuing to produce similar studies without addressing these gaps will limit the relevance and reach of MBIs. Seven recommendations are offered to integrate core research questions, improve methodological quality, and strengthen links among stages of clinical translation to better address mental health needs.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
March 24, 2014
Jennifer M. Boggs, Arne Beck, Jennifer N. Felder et al.
73 citations
A Web-based program called Mindful Mood Balance (MMB), which delivers the core concepts of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), is a viable way to treat residual depressive symptoms and prevent relapse. In exit interviews with 38 participants who had a current PHQ-9 score of 12 or less and at least one prior major depressive episode, four main themes emerged: Web content, Web-based group process, home practice, and concept comprehension. Participants noted advantages such as flexibility, reduced cost, and less time commitment, as well as obstacles like time challenges for home practice and a need for more support. They endorsed developing affect regulation skills. High satisfaction suggests MMB can increase access to evidence-based psychological treatments for sub-threshold unipolar depression.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
January 26, 2012
Jennifer N. Felder, Sona Dimidjian, Zindel V. Segal
55 citations
Therapeutic collaboration between psychotherapist and group participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is described as central to two components: inquiry and leading mindfulness practices. During inquiry, the therapist asks questions about the participant's moment-to-moment experience of the practice, conducted with curious, open, and warm attitudes. Collaboration is also maintained through co-participation in mindfulness practices. A case illustration is provided, and recommendations for clinical practice are offered.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
July 17, 2023
Sona Dimidjian, Robert Gallop, Joseph J. Lévy et al.
14 citations
The Mindful Mood Balance (MMB) program, a digitally delivered version of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, combined with usual depression care, produced greater improvements in decentering, mindfulness, and rumination than usual care alone among adults with residual depressive symptoms. Changes in these three processes each predicted a lower likelihood of depressive relapse. The findings indicate that the program's benefits operate through the same mechanisms as in-person mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and that these mechanisms can be engaged through digital delivery.
Frontiers in Psychology
September 30, 2025
Winnie Zhuang, Laura Michaelson, Sona Dimidjian et al.
1 citation
A breath counting task can serve as a valid behavioral measure of mindfulness in children aged 9–13 years, capturing aspects of mindfulness distinct from those measured by self-report questionnaires. In a sample of 109 children, breath counting showed psychometric properties similar to those of adults and was positively associated with cognitive control performance, but unrelated to self-reported mindfulness. Among 67 children who completed 1–2 weeks of daily audio-based mindfulness exercises, breath counting improved significantly, whereas self-reported mindfulness did not. The findings indicate that behavioral measures like breath counting may be more sensitive to training impacts than self-reports, and both types of measures are recommended for future research.
Mindfulness
July 7, 2026
Joseph J. Lévy, Sona Dimidjian, Zindel V. Segal
A review of 1,226 empirical studies on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) published between 2014 and 2025 found that most research remains in early stages of development, with 41% classified as Stage 1, 54% as Stage 2 or 3, 3% as Stage 4, and 2% as Stage 5 of the NIH Stage Model. Compared to a prior review, later-stage studies modestly increased, and attention to mechanisms and real-world implementation expanded substantially. However, effectiveness, dissemination, and implementation studies remain rare. The authors argue that translating efficacy into large-scale public health impact will require coordinated research across all stages and integrating basic, clinical, and implementation science.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
September 30, 2021
Yoni K Ashar, Jessica R Andrews-Hanna, Joan Halifax et al.
A four-week compassion meditation program delivered via smartphone increased brain activity in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) when participants listened to stories of suffering others, compared with a condition that controlled for increased familiarity with suffering. Among compassion meditation participants, greater increases in mOFC activity correlated with greater self-reported compassion-related feelings and attributions. Compared with a placebo condition (presented as oxytocin), the meditation group showed a similar mOFC increase at an uncorrected statistical threshold. The authors conclude that the mOFC is an important brain mechanism of compassion meditation, that its effects are not explained by familiarity, and that they are partly explained by placebo effects.
JAMA Psychiatry
January 29, 2020
Z. Segal, Sona Dimidjian, A. Beck et al.
A web-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program (Mindful Mood Balance) added to usual depression care improved residual depressive symptoms more than usual care alone. Over 15 months, patients receiving the program had greater symptom reduction, higher remission rates, and lower relapse risk. They also experienced more depression-free days, less anxiety, and better mental functioning, though physical functioning did not differ. The program involved eight online sessions with minimal coaching support.
Current Opinion in Psychology
January 28, 2019
Z. Segal, Sona Dimidjian, Rachel Vanderkruik et al.
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy combines mindfulness meditation with cognitive theory to treat recurrent mood disorders. Despite strong evidence for its effectiveness, MBCT is not widely used in routine clinical or population health settings. Two key questions remain unresolved: how important is home practice of mindfulness skills for achieving benefits, and what role can digital platforms play in delivering mindfulness programs. Answering these questions could improve future research and practice, helping contemplative practices support self-care.