Clinical and Neuroimaging Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Symptomatic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients after First-Line Treatments: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Maria Serra-Blasco, Neus Miquel-Giner, Muriel Vicent-Gil, Daniel Porta-Casteràs, Ignacio Martínez-zalacaín, Marta Cano, Víctor De la Peña-arteaga, Lorea Mar-Barrutia, Maria Alemany-Navarro, Carles Soriano-Mas, Marina López-solà, Jessica R Andrews-Hanna, Maria J Portella, Joaquim Soler, Narcís Cardoner, Pino Alonso, Clara López-solà
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2026 DOI: 10.1159/000548961 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 68 |
| Population | Adults with moderately symptomatic obsessive-compulsive disorder |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Combined modality therapy Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Neural pathways Obsessive-compulsive disorder Treatment outcome |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly reduced OCD symptoms compared to treatment as usual, with baseline brain connectivity predicting treatment response. |
Abstract
Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition where many patients remain symptomatic despite first-line treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This randomised controlled trial evaluated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) efficacy as an augmentation strategy and its impact on brain functional connectivity. Sixty-eight participants with moderately symptomatic OCD were randomised into MBCT or treatment as usual (TAU). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, alongside other relevant secondary outcomes. Data were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA to assess time * group effects. Neuroimaging functional measures (resting-state network connectivity) were collected before and after the intervention and analysed using independent component analysis. Primary outcome: MBCT significantly reduced OCD symptoms compared to TAU (31.73% vs. 8.07% Y-BOCS reduction). the MBCT group also experienced reductions in depressive symptoms, rumination, perceived stress, and quality of life. No significant post-treatment changes were observed in resting-state connectivity. However, baseline connectivity demonstrated significant predictive value, with lower connectivity in preselected networks of interest, including the fronto-striatal, salience, and default mode networks, associated with greater reductions in Y-BOCS scores. MBCT is an effective strategy for individuals with moderately symptomatic OCD who continue to experience symptoms despite prior gold-standard treatments. While no post-treatment changes in brain functional connectivity were observed, baseline connectivity patterns predicted symptom reduction, suggesting a neural basis for MBCT response. .
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 17
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of current depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis Cognitive Behaviour Therapy February 8, 2019
- Meditation-related activations are modulated by the practices needed to obtain it and by the expertise: an ALE meta-analysis study Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2013
- Mindfulness meditation increases default mode, salience, and central executive network connectivity Scientific Reports August 2, 2022
- Meta-analytic evidence that mindfulness training alters resting state default mode network connectivity Scientific Reports July 18, 2022
and 12 more in the library