Childhood adversity severity modulates the associations between adaptive psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes in response to behavioral interventions.
Diane Joss, Junjie Lu, Martin H. Teicher, Sara W. Lazar
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100714 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 39 |
| Population | Young adult childhood adversity survivors |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Intervention Stress Management Education |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Childhood maltreatment MRI Stress |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-Based Intervention did not produce better clinical or amygdala volumetric outcomes than Stress Management Education, and childhood maltreatment severity modulated the relationship between psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes. |
Abstract
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) has been shown to have detrimental impact on amygdala structure. Prior research found that adaptive psychological changes after Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) were associated with amygdala volumetric changes. The present study aims to further investigate whether such effects also occur among ACE survivors and whether the effects are unique to MBI. A total of 64 young adult childhood adversity survivors were randomized to an eight-week MBI or Stress Management Education (SME) as an active control condition. Anatomical MRI and questionnaires on mindfulness, stress and psychological health were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Due to subject dropout, the final sample included 39 subjects (MBI:20, SME:19). Both groups showed increased mindfulness levels, reduced stress, and improved psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and somatization), with no significant group by time interaction effect. There was no significant group difference on amygdala volumetric changes. Within the MBI group, childhood maltreatment severity was a significant mediator between changes of mindfulness levels and right amygdala volumetric changes. Across pooled sample of both groups, childhood maltreatment was a significant moderator for the effect of trait anxiety level changes on left amygdala volumetric changes. Modest sample size, relatively low retention rates, suboptimal monitoring of home practice. MBI did not demonstrate overall better clinical effects than SME. Psychological-change-dependent amygdala volumetric change was not specific to MBI. Childhood maltreatment severity modulated the relationships between adaptive psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Temporal dynamics and long-term effects of a mindfulness-based intervention for young adults with adverse childhood experiences. Mindfulness September 1, 2024
- Neural correlates of reduction in self-judgment after mindful self-compassion training: A pilot study with resting state fMRI. Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders March 1, 2025
- PCC-hippocampal functional connectivity associated with stress biomarker changes after meditation training for healthy adults. Neuroscience Letters May 23, 2025
- Modulating mechanisms of adverse childhood experiences in a mindfulness-based intervention: preliminary insights from an opioid use disorder study. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Neural correlates of meditation-induced changes in self-related traits: a resting state fMRI study. Mindfulness June 4, 2026
and 4 more in the library
Cites 27
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
and 22 more in the library