Mindful Self-Regulation fMRI Pilot Study

This study aims to test brain activation changes related to self-regulation targets of attention, emotion regulation, self-compassion, interoception and pain regulation that are influenced by mindfulness training within primary care (compare MINDFUL-PC study).

The study will also look at whether successful chronic disease self-management relates to the observed brain activation changes after compared to before the mindfulness intervention.

The study will examine the relationship between mindfulness training within primary care and medical regimen adherence (initiation and maintenance) as well as the underlying neural correlates associated with changes in self-regulation.

This is a single-arm pilot trial, recruiting from a randomized controlled trial (see MINDFUL-PC study). .

Inclusion criteria

• Adults 21-60 years old enrolled for participation in the MINDFUL-PC study.
• During baseline visit, patient has a history of either major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or generalized anxiety disorder, OR has current mild to moderate symptoms of depression (score range of 10-28 on DASS-21 Depression subscale) or anxiety (score >7 on DASS-21 anxiety subscale).
• Participant does not have a substance use disorder nor intoxication at the time of scanning. Participants must report no more than infrequent recreational cannabis use (i.e., no more than two times a month) and must report capacity for abstinence from both cannabis and ethyl alcohol for the 72 hours prior to the scan.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision, and correction must be with contact lenses.
• Right-handed as defined by Edinburgh Handedness Inventory.

Exclusion criteria

• Current severe panic disorder, active severe PTSD symptoms, or psychosis.
• Current suicidality OR severe depression as evidenced by a score of 28 or higher on the DASS-21 Depression subscale.
• Standard direct exclusion criteria for undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures for research purposes (safety standards), i.e., Meniere's disease, epilepsy, strong claustrophobia, currently pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to conceive or breastfeed during the study, cardiac pacemaker, prosthetic heart valve, neurostimulator, implanted pumps, non-MR-compatible implants or devices.
• A history of neurological disease or injury, including a history of seizures or significant head trauma (i.e., extended loss of consciousness, neurological sequelae, or known structural brain lesion), or previous brain surgery.
• Severe skin disease, skin allergies, or multiple reactions to topical preparations, dressings or tapes.
• Current meditation or intense yoga practice or extensive previous experience.
• Participants with vascular disease, such as peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, or lymphedema, in both lower limbs.