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Keeping weight off: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction alters amygdala functional connectivity during weight loss maintenance in a randomized control trial.

PloS one
January 1, 2021
Serhiy Y Chumachenko et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to understand the neural and psychological mechanisms modified by mindfulness that may predict clinical outcomes in weight loss maintenance.

Results Summary

The study found increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the mindfulness group, while controls showed decreased connectivity. The mindfulness group maintained their weight at 6 months, whereas controls experienced a 3.4% BMI increase, though weight changes were not statistically significant.

Population

Individuals who had recently intentionally lost weight.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
increase
functional connectivity between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight
-
increased
#1
control healthy living course
decrease
functional connectivity between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight
-
decreased
#2
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
no change
weight
Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight
-
maintained
#3
control healthy living course
increase
BMI
Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight
3.4%
showed a weight increase
#4
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
neutral
depression symptoms
Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight
-
associated with change
#5
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
no change
weight
Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight
-
not associated with change
#6
Abstract

Obesity is associated with significant comorbidities and financial costs. While behavioral interventions produce clinically meaningful weight loss, weight loss maintenance is challenging. The objective was to improve understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms modified by mindfulness that may predict clinical outcomes. Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight were randomized to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or a control healthy living course. Anthropometric and psychological factors were measured at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months. Functional connectivity (FC) analysis was performed at baseline and 8 weeks to examine FC changes between regions of interest selected a priori, and independent components identified by independent component analysis. The association of pre-post FC changes with 6-month weight and psychometric outcomes was then analyzed. Significant group x time interaction was found for FC between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, such that FC increased in the MBSR group and decreased in controls. Non-significant changes in weight were observed at 6 months, where the mindfulness group maintained their weight while the controls showed a weight increase of 3.4% in BMI. Change in FC at 8-weeks between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and several ROIs was associated with change in depression symptoms but not weight at 6 months. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence of neural mechanisms that may be involved in MBSR's impact on weight loss maintenance that may be useful for designing future clinical trials and mechanistic studies.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAmygdalaBody Mass IndexFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMindfulnessNerve NetPilot ProjectsStress, PsychologicalWeight Loss
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations10
Citations/Year2.5
Relative Citation Ratio1.00
NIH Percentile50.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.37
Normalized Score0.61
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Keeping weight off: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction alter... | Panacea Index