NCT06876220

The Role of Anchoring and Distraction in the Effectiveness of Mindfulness on Reducing Emotional Reactivity

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 42 (actual)
• Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 25 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) on the use of anchoring and distraction as emotion care/regulation strategies. It is hypothesized that anchoring and distraction are related but different processes, which could be evidenced by fMRI. The investigators further hypothesized that mindfulness training could lead to functional changes in the brain, which could also be evidenced by fMRI.

Detailed description

To test the hypotheses, the participants will be randomly allocated to either the experimental group or the waitlist control group. Both groups will complete behavioral measures and an fMRI experiment before the experimental group's intervention (T0). The experimental group will receive Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) between T0 and T1, while the waitlist control will receive no treatment during this period. Both groups will complete the behavioral measures and the fMRI experiment again after the experimental group finishes the MBCT-L course (T1).

Conditions

• Mental Health Issue
• Emotional Adjustment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L)	MBCT-L is an 8-week group intervention where participants are guided to practice mindfulness and cognitive exercise. The course covers themes such as anchoring, acceptance, and decentering. The course will be provided by mindfulness teachers who have completed the training offered by Oxford Mindfulness Foundation (OMF). Throughout the eight weeks, the course guides the participants through various themes such as anchoring, acceptance, and decentering. The sessions involve guided mindfulness practices, reflection, discussion, inquiry, and weekly home practice. The language of instruction is Cantonese.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-09-01
• Primary completion: 2025-01-21
• Completion: 2025-02-13
• First posted: 2025-03-14
• Last updated: 2025-07-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong