Mindfulness-based intervention reduce interference of negative stimuli to working memory in individuals with subclinical depression: A randomized controlled fMRI study

Chengjin Hong; Cody Ding; Yiwen Chen; Shiyue Cao; Yi Hou; Weiyu Hu; Dong Yang

doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100459

Mindfulness-based intervention reduce interference of negative stimuli to working memory in individuals with subclinical depression: A randomized controlled fMRI study

Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2024 Apr-Jun;24(2):100459. doi: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100459. Epub 2024 Apr 20.

Authors

Chengjin Hong^{1

2}, Cody Ding^{1

2

3}, Yiwen Chen⁴, Shiyue Cao^{1

2}, Yi Hou^{1

2}, Weiyu Hu⁵, Dong Yang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
² Key Lab of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
³ Education Science & Professional Programs, University of Missouri-St. Louis, United States.
⁴ Faculty of International Business Management, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.

Abstract

Background: Individuals with subclinical depression are prone to major depression and experience emotional responses and attentional biases to negative stimuli.

Method: In a randomized controlled study (N = 42) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined the neurocognitive mechanisms behind mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combining loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on a group with subclinical depression compared with the relaxation group across emotional face n-back (EFNBACK) tasks and resting state. We also collected behavioral and self-reported data to confirm neurocognitive results.

Results: During EFNBACK, the MBCT+LKM group showed greater activation in the left lingual gyrus and right inferior lateral occipital cortex. During rest, the MBCT+LKM group demonstrated increased connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex and right inferior lateral occipital cortex, right anterior insula and left precentral gyrus. From amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) data, activity in brain regions associated with cognitive control decreased and activity in brain regions associated with sensorimotor increased.

Conclusion: These results suggest that MBCT+LKM alleviate depression for subclinical individuals through improving executive function when they face negative stimuli.

Keywords: Executive function; Loving kindness meditation; Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy; Negative stimuli; Subthreshold depression.