Mindfulness-based intervention reduce interference of negative stimuli to working memory in individuals with subclinical depression: A randomized controlled fMRI study.
Chengjin Hong, Cody Ding, Yiwen Chen, Shiyue Cao, Yi Hou, Weiyu Hu, Dong Yang
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100459 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Individuals with subclinical depression |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combining loving-kindness meditation (LKM) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Executive function Loving kindness meditation Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Negative stimuli Subthreshold depression |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | MBCT combined with loving-kindness meditation alters brain activation and connectivity patterns in ways that suggest improved executive function when facing negative stimuli. |
Abstract
Individuals with subclinical depression are prone to major depression and experience emotional responses and attentional biases to negative stimuli. In a randomized controlled study (N = 42) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined the neurocognitive mechanisms behind mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combining loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on a group with subclinical depression compared with the relaxation group across emotional face n-back (EFNBACK) tasks and resting state. We also collected behavioral and self-reported data to confirm neurocognitive results. During EFNBACK, the MBCT+LKM group showed greater activation in the left lingual gyrus and right inferior lateral occipital cortex. During rest, the MBCT+LKM group demonstrated increased connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex and right inferior lateral occipital cortex, right anterior insula and left precentral gyrus. From amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) data, activity in brain regions associated with cognitive control decreased and activity in brain regions associated with sensorimotor increased. These results suggest that MBCT+LKM alleviate depression for subclinical individuals through improving executive function when they face negative stimuli.