Improved Mindfulness Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial with Trauma-Exposed Black Adults.
Abigail Powers, Rebecca Lipschutz, Emma C Lathan, Yara Mekawi, H Drew Dixon, Bekh Bradley, Nadine J Kaslow, Nicole R Nugent
Mindfulness 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02693-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Black trauma-exposed adults who screened positive for PTSD and depression |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Posttraumatic stress disorder Trait mindfulness |
| Registration | NCT03922581 |
| Key findings | Mindful observing and nonreactivity increased over time in the MBCT group versus waitlist control, but emotion dysregulation did not change. |
Abstract
Trauma burden and resulting psychopathology disproportionately affect Black adults with limited socioeconomic resources. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a group-based intervention with promise for addressing trauma-related psychopathology that may be of value for Black adults with limited socioeconomic resources because it may be more approachable for individuals with mental health stigma or hesitancy to engage with trauma memories. Trait mindfulness and emotion dysregulation (ED) are proposed mechanisms of action in MBCT, yet how these psychological factors shift as a result of MBCT in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom treatment for Black adults remains untested. The goal of this secondary analysis study was to examine changes in trait mindfulness and ED from a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an 8-week MBCT intervention adapted for Black trauma-exposed adults who screened positive for PTSD and depression compared to waitlist control (WLC). Eighty participants (86.3% women) were randomized. Trait mindfulness was measured across facets with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudgment, and nonreacting. ED was measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Data were collected at baseline (T1), post-treatment (or 8 weeks following baseline for WLC) (T2), and 1-month follow-up (T3). Latent growth curve (LGC) models were run to examine change in trait mindfulness and ED by group status from T1 to T3. Mindful observing and nonreactivity increased over time (slope) in the MBCT group versus WLC (β slope = 0.41, SE = 0.15, p = 0.005 and β slope = 0.28, SE = 0.10, p = 0.007, respectively). Group status did not predict change in ED (p = 0.93). Findings show that individuals in the MBCT group showed greater improvements in mindful observing and nonreactivity compared to WLC. Future efficacy trials in trauma-exposed Black adults are warranted to disentangle mechanisms of action and determine potential roles of trait mindfulness or ED in MBCT treatment outcomes. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) that the data for this study came from was preregistered on Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03922581).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 27
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Inside the Mindful Mind Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2013
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Theory and Practice The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 2012
and 22 more in the library