Brain changes following mindfulness: Reduced caudate volume is associated with decreased positive urgency.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of a 5-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on neuroanatomical changes, dispositional mindfulness, and impulsivity in risky drivers.
Results Summary
The study found that MBI improved dispositional mindfulness in the non-reactivity and observing facets and linked changes in impulsivity to changes in mindfulness. Neuroanatomical analysis showed a reduction in the right caudate nucleus volume in the mindfulness group compared to the control group.
Population
Sixty-six risky drivers
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
5 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness training | increase | psychological health and general well-being | - | - | has been shown to improve | #1 |
5-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) | increase | dispositional mindfulness in the non-reactivity and observing facets | risky drivers | - | changes | #2 |
mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) | neutral | the magnitude of change in impulsivity | risky drivers | - | was associated with | #3 |
mindfulness training | decrease | volume of the right caudate nucleus | mindfulness training group (n = 27) | -1.76 mm | showed a reduction | #4 |
- | increase | volume of the right caudate nucleus | control group (n = 33) | - | increased | #5 |
Mindfulness training has been shown to improve psychological health and general well-being. However, it is unclear which brain and personality systems may be affected by this practice for improving adaptive behavior and quality of life. The present study explores the effects of a 5-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) at the neuroanatomical level and its relationship with dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity. Sixty-six risky drivers were quasi-randomly assigned to a mindfulness training group (MT) or a control group (N). Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the UPPS-P impulsivity scale twice, at baseline and after receiving the MBI. We observed that MBI changes dispositional mindfulness in the non-reactivity and observing facets. Further, we observed that the magnitude of change in impulsivity was associated with the change in dispositional mindfulness. Whole-brain voxel-wise analysis revealed that the volume of the right caudate nucleus of the MT group (n = 27) showed a reduction compared to that of the control group (n = 33), which increased in terms of the pre-post measurement (MT=-1.76 mm