The effects of mindfulness meditation on rumination in depressed people Rachel Sluder Adviser: Dr. Brett Gibson University of New Hampshire

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The effects of mindfulness meditation on
rumination in depressed peopleRachel
SluderAdviser Dr. Brett GibsonUniversity of
New Hampshire
Findings Behavioral data strongly supports
effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies in
improving symptoms of depression, even beyond
rumination. (Deyo et al 2009 Kenny et al
2007) FcMRI on connectivity networks in
MM before and after MBSR found increases in
networks including anterior cingulate cortex and
lateral frontal cortex (auditory/salience) and
areas of default mode network (Kilpatrick et al
2011 below image from same)
Conclusions Common threads certain brain
regions, such as anterior cingulate cortex, are
involved in meditation and rumination
improvement in rumination cessation seems to go
along with improvement in attention
skills Challenges selection bias newness of
field many studies have not been replicated, or
attempts have been unsuccessful Future
directions -Neuroimaging research on the
intersection of MM, rumination, and depression
could shed light into each facet -fMRI would
provide capability of seeing short-term
within-group gray matter density and activity
levels -Imaging of MM is a new field, so
additional research on any aspect of it could
shed light onto the functional neuroanatomy
involved, as well as mechanisms of specific
effects -Rumination has the potential to cause
relapse in depressed patients. A free, relatively
simple behavioral treatment would be very
valuable, particularly since it has shown to be
effective in patients unresponsive to other
treatments (Kenny et al 2007) -A potential
direction for future research could focus on the
difference between EEG signals in rumination and
in mindfulness meditation in the same subjects
following MBCT.
What is mindfulness meditation (MM)? -Practice of
increasing awareness of one's body, thoughts,
circumstances -Non-judgmental -MBCT
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy -MBSR
mindfulness-based stress reduction What is
rumination? -Maladaptive pattern of thinking
found in depression, anxiety, and similar
disorders. -Commonly accepted theory suggests
that it is a way of responding to distress
through perseverative thoughts on the cause of
distress, as well as possible causes and
consequences . known as the response styles
theory (Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2008). -Thoughts
can be overwhelming, and thereby interfere
with successful, effective problem solving.
Methods I performed a search on ScienceDirect for
articles about MM and rumination, rumination and
depression, and MM and depression, gathering
information from both behavioral and imaging
studies. The research was done in this format
since UNH does not have access to fMRI equipment.
Study types Behavioral data effects of
rumination (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2008) meditation and
rumination (Deyo et al 2009) EEG ERP following
MBCT (Bostanov et al 2012) alpha band activity
state-effects during MM (Keune et al 2013) FMRI
Neural correlates of rumination (Kuhn et al
2012) effects of MBSR on connectivity
(Kilpatrick et al 2011)
FMRI on gray matter density increases in several
areas of interest following MBSR. (Holzel et al
2010) EEG increased ERP signal following MBCT
in depressed patients indicates improved ability
to shift attention (Bostanov et al 2012)
increased alpha band asymmetry indicates cortical
involvement (Keune et al 2013, below image from
same)
References Bostanov, V., Keune, P., Kotchoubey,
B., Hautzinger, M. Event-related brain
potentials reflect increased concentration
ability after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
for depression A randomized clinical trial.
(2012). Psychiatry Research, 199, 174-180 Deyp,
M., Wilson., KA., Ong, J., Koopman, C.
Mindfulness and Rumination Does mindfulness
training lead to reductions in the ruminative
thinking associated with depression? (2009).
Explore, 5(5), 265-271 Holzel, BK, Carmody, J.,
Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, SM.,
Gard, T., Lazar, SW. Mindfulness practice leads
to increases in regional brain gray matter
density. (2011). Psychiatry Research
Neuroimaging, 191, 36-43 Kenny, MA..,
Williams, JMG. Treatment-resistant depressed
patients show a good response to
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. (2007).
Behavior Research and Therapy. 45,
617-625 Keune, PM., Bostanov, V., Hautzinger,
M., Kotchoubey, B. Approaching dysphoric mood
State-effects of mindfulness meditation on
frontal brain asymmetry. (2013). Biological
Psychology, 93, 105-113 Kilpatrick, LA.,
Suyenobu, BY., Smith, SR., Bueller, JA., Goodman,
T., Creswell, JD., Tillisch, K., Mayer, EA.,
Naliboff, BD. Impact of mindfulness-based stress
reduction training on intrinsic brain
connectivity. (2011). NeuroImage, 56,
290-298. Kuhn, S., Vanderhasselt, MA., De Raedt,
R., Gallinat, J. Why ruminators won't stop The
structural and resting state correlates of
rumination and its relation to depression.
(2012). Journal of Affective Disorders, 141,
352-360. Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, BE.,
Lyubomirsky, S. Rethinking Rumination. (2008).
Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(5),
400-424.