Mindfulness for heart and mind: Mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction randomized clinical trial for depression symptoms.
Surenmaa Sukhbaatar, Shufang Sun, Matthew M Scarpaci, Vinicius V Neves, Margaret A Sheridan, Eric B Loucks
Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association May 2026 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001568 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 201 |
| Population | Adults with elevated blood pressure (at least 120/80 mmHg); 58.8% female, 81.1% non-Hispanic White, mean age 59.5 years |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction (MB-BP) |
| Duration | 6-month follow-up |
| Measures | Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction produced a modestly greater reduction in depression symptoms than enhanced usual care at six months (1.65 points on the CESD-R; Cohen's d = 0.29). Exploratory analyses suggest the program's benefits may be larger for participants with high early-life neglect, though the authors characterize this moderation evidence as preliminary. |
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction (MB-BP) program on depression symptoms in individuals with elevated blood pressure (BP). Exploratory analyses examined whether childhood abuse or neglect moderated these effects. Adults with elevated BP (n = 201; ≥120/80 mmHg) were randomized to MB-BP (n = 101) or enhanced usual care (n = 100) and followed for 6 months. MB-BP trained participants in mindful self-regulation skills-self-awareness, attention control, and emotion regulation-and applied these skills to modifiable determinants of BP and depression symptoms, such as diet, physical activity, alcohol use, and stress reactivity. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised. Outcome assessors were blinded to group assignments. Participants (58.8% female, 81.1% non-Hispanic White, mean age 59.5years) in the MB-BP group had a 1.65-point greater reduction in Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised scores at 6 months versus controls (95% CI [-2.79, -0.51], Cohen's d = 0.29). Exploratory analyses revealed sizable reductions in depression symptoms for participants exposed to high parental neglect (-2.25, 95% CI [-4.18, -0.31]) and modest reductions in those with low neglect (-0.78, 95% CI [-2.28, 0.70]), with a formal test for interaction p value of .011. High abuse exposure was associated with depression symptom improvements (-2.34, 95% CI [-4.58, -0.10]), as was low abuse exposure (-1.49, 95% CI [-4.08, 1.10]), with a test for interaction p value of .079. MB-BP significantly reduced depression symptoms in individuals with elevated BP, with preliminary evidence suggesting amplified benefits for those with early-life adversity, particularly neglect. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).