Neural Changes Associated With a Mindfulness-based Intervention for Young Adults With Childhood Maltreatment
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Depression
- Sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Enrollment
- 43
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in Subjects' Perceived Stress Level
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 5 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Childhood trauma is remarkably prevalent, and it has long lasting impact on mental health and neural development. This trial aims to see whether the 8-week mindfulness based intervention can reduce stress related psychological symptoms for young adults with childhood maltreatment, and whether it can promote neural plasticity.
Detailed Description
This study recruits young adults with childhood adversity; enrolled subjects either receive an 8-week mindfulness based intervention, or wait for 8 weeks before receiving the intervention. MRI and a battery of self report questionnaires will be administered before and after the intervention; subjects on the waiting list will undergo the same research procedures at the same time as subjects in the intervention group. Primary hypotheses include improved hippocampal plasticity, increased mindfulness and reduced stress and related psychological symptoms.
Investigators
Sara W Lazar
Associate Research Scientist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Experience of childhood maltreatment
- •With current age between 19 to 35 years old
- •With current symptoms of depression or anxiety or PTSD or significant general stress.
Exclusion Criteria
- •History of psychiatric disorders with psychotic features
- •Suicidal attempts during the past six months
- •Neurological disorders
- •And common MRI exclusion criteria
- •Prior history with the mindfulness based stress reduction program or other systematic meditation programs.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in Subjects' Perceived Stress Level
Time Frame: After the 8-week intervention program compared to baseline measurement, or the same time as the intervention group for subjects on the waiting list.
Changes in the Perceived Stress Scale scores (post- intervention scores minus pre- intervention scores). Relevant time points used in the calculation include baseline scores at enrollment, and post-intervention/waiting period scores after 2 months of intervention or waiting period. Calculations of the change entail post-intervention/waiting period scores minus baseline scores for each individual subject. The Perceived Stress Scale is a 10 item scale (each responded with Likert scale 0-4), the scale score is the sum of all items, thus the full range of PSS scores is 0-40, with higher scores means worse stress. A reduction in PSS scores (i.e., the change scores being negative) indicates subjects have improved after the intervention by becoming less stressed.
Secondary Outcomes
- Changes of Mindfulness(After the 8-week intervention program compared to baseline measurement, or the same time as the intervention group for subjects on the waiting list.)