Neural effects of mindfulness-based interventions on patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess changes in brain functioning associated with mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Results Summary
MBIs showed modulatory effects on brain regions implicated in MDD, such as the prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortices, linked to self-awareness, attention, and emotion regulation. Some findings aligned with effects observed in healthy subjects and other psychiatric disorders, particularly enhanced activity in frontal and subcortical regions.
Population
Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | acute phase of depression | patients with MDD | - | could have beneficial effects | #1 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | depressive relapse or recurrence | patients with MDD | - | beneficial effects on the prevention | #2 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | neutral | brain functioning | patients with MDD | - | have modulatory effects | #3 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | neutral | prefrontal cortex | patients with MDD | - | modulatory effects | #4 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | neutral | basal ganglia | patients with MDD | - | modulatory effects | #5 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | neutral | anterior and posterior cingulate cortices | patients with MDD | - | modulatory effects | #6 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | neutral | parietal cortex | patients with MDD | - | modulatory effects | #7 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | frontal and subcortical regions | healthy subjects | - | enhanced activity | #8 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | frontal and subcortical regions | patients with other psychiatric disorders | - | enhanced activity | #9 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | somatosensory awareness | healthy subjects and patients with other psychiatric disorders | - | improved | #10 |
Growing evidence has suggested that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) could have beneficial effects on the acute phase of depression and on the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence. Despite growing clinical interest, the effects of MBIs on brain functioning in patients with MDD remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the changes in brain functioning associated with MBIs in patients with MDD. A systematic search was conducted, and of the 56 articles found, 8 were eligible. MBIs have modulatory effects on several brain regions implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD, such as the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, and the parietal cortex. These regions have been implicated in self-awareness, attention and emotion regulation. Some of these findings were consistent with the effects of MBIs observed in healthy subjects and patients with other psychiatric disorders, especially enhanced activity in the frontal and subcortical regions related to the improved somatosensory awareness. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of MBIs in MDD.