Common and Dissociable Neural Activity After Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Relaxation Response Programs.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the neural and psychological effects of two meditation-based stress reduction programs (Relaxation Response and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) to identify common and distinct patterns.
Results Summary
Both programs reduced stress, with MBSR showing greater effect size. RR was linked to stronger connectivity in intentional inhibition regions, while MBSR uniquely improved self-compassion and rumination and showed connectivity in sensory awareness regions.
Population
Adults (56% female) randomized to RR (n=18) or MBSR (n=16).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relaxation Response (RR) program | decrease | stress | Participants | from 14.1 ± 6.6 to 11.3 ± 5.5 [Cohen's d = 0.50] | associated with reduced | #1 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | stress | Participants | from 17.7 ± 5.7 to 11.9 ± 5.0 [Cohen's d = 1.02] | associated with reduced | #2 |
Both programs (RR and MBSR) | neutral | functional coupling between ventromedial prefrontal regions and supplementary motor areas | - | p < .001 | revealed | #3 |
RR bodyscan | increase | right inferior frontal gyrus with supplementary motor areas | - | p < .001, family-wise error [FWE] rate corrected | associated with stronger functional connectivity | #4 |
MBSR program | increase | self-compassion | - | - | uniquely associated with improvements | #5 |
MBSR program | decrease | rumination | - | - | uniquely associated with improvements | #6 |
MBSR bodyscan | neutral | right anterior insula with pregenual anterior cingulate during bodyscan meditation compared with rest | - | p = .03, FWE corrected | revealed significant functional connectivity | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: We investigated common and dissociable neural and psychological correlates of two widely used meditation-based stress reduction programs. METHODS: Participants were randomized to the Relaxation Response (RR; n = 18; 56% female) or the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR; n = 16; 56% female) programs. Both programs use a "bodyscan" meditation; however, the RR program explicitly emphasizes physical relaxation during this practice, whereas the MBSR program emphasizes mindful awareness with no explicit relaxation instructions. After the programs, neural activity during the respective meditation was investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Both programs were associated with reduced stress (for RR, from 14.1 ± 6.6 to 11.3 ± 5.5 [Cohen's d = 0.50; for MBSR, from 17.7 ± 5.7 to 11.9 ± 5.0 [Cohen's d = 1.02]). Conjunction analyses revealed functional coupling between ventromedial prefrontal regions and supplementary motor areas (p < .001). The disjunction analysis indicated that the RR bodyscan was associated with stronger functional connectivity of the right inferior frontal gyrus-an important hub of intentional inhibition and control-with supplementary motor areas (p < .001, family-wise error [FWE] rate corrected). The MBSR program was uniquely associated with improvements in self-compassion and rumination, and the within-group analysis of MBSR bodyscan revealed significant functional connectivity of the right anterior insula-an important hub of sensory awareness and salience-with pregenual anterior cingulate during bodyscan meditation compared with rest (p = .03, FWE corrected). CONCLUSIONS: The bodyscan exercises in each program were associated with both overlapping and differential functional coupling patterns, which were consistent with each program's theoretical foundation. These results may have implications for the differential effects of these programs for the treatment of diverse conditions.