Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: A Preliminary Examination of the (Event-Related) Potential for Modifying Threat-Related Attentional Bias in Anxiety.
Resh S Gupta, Autumn Kujawa, David M. Fresco, Hakmook Kang, David R. Vago
Mindfulness 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01910-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preliminary pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Adults with moderate to high levels of anxiety |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Measures | dot-probe task, EEG P1 amplitudes, reaction times, anxiety and depression symptoms |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Event-related potentials Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Threat-related attentional bias |
| Registration | NCT03571386 |
| Key points | MBCT was followed by reduced P1-Probe amplitudes, anxiety, depression, and reaction times, and larger P1-Angry Cue amplitudes were associated with higher anxiety before and after treatment. The authors report that changes in threat-related attentional bias specifically were generally not supported, and that replication with a comparison group is needed to determine whether changes were MBCT-specific. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with anxiety disorders, and changes in threat-related attentional bias may be a key mechanism driving the intervention's effects on anxiety symptoms. Event-related potentials (ERPs) can illuminate the physiological mechanism through which MBCT targets threat bias and reduces symptoms of anxiety. This preliminary study examined whether P1 ERP threat-related attentional bias markers in anxious adults change from pre- to post-MBCT delivered in-person or virtually (via Zoom) and investigated the relationship between P1 threat-related attentional bias markers and treatment response. Pre- and post-MBCT, participants with moderate to high levels of anxiety (N = 50) completed a dot-probe task with simultaneous EEG recording. Analyses focused on pre- and post-MBCT P1 amplitudes elicited by angry-neutral and happy-neutral face pair cues, probes, and reaction times in the dot-probe task and anxiety and depression symptoms. Pre- to post-MBCT, there was a significant reduction in P1-Probe amplitudes (d = .23), anxiety (d = .41) and depression (d = .80) symptoms, and reaction times (d = .10). Larger P1-Angry Cue amplitudes, indexing hypervigilance to angry faces, were associated with higher levels of anxiety both pre- and post-MBCT (d = .20). Post-MBCT, anxiety symptoms were lower in the in-person versus virtual group (d = .80). MBCT may increase processing efficiency and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms in anxious adults. However, changes in threat bias specifically were generally not supported. Replication with a comparison group is needed to clarify whether changes were MBCT-specific. NCT03571386, June 18, 2018. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-022-01910-x.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Pattern Theory of Selflessness: How Meditation May Transform the Self-Pattern Mindfulness August 1, 2024
- Online mindfulness interventions in the care of people with physical and mental health conditions: a scoping review. BMJ Open July 18, 2025
- The Role of Meditation in Shaping Resilience. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences May 1, 2026
- Accuracy and bias in the perceptions of partner's negative emotions: the role of trait mindfulness. Scientific Reports March 22, 2025
- Changes in Mental Health and EEG Biomarkers of Undergraduates Under Different Patterns of Mindfulness. Brain Topography December 25, 2023
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