Absence of structural brain changes from mindfulness-based stress reduction: Two combined randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Previous studies suggest mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may alter brain structure.
• These studies often have methodological limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To rigorously investigate whether an 8-week MBSR program induces neuroplastic changes in brain structure.
• To compare MBSR effects against active and waitlist control groups.

Main Methods:

• A large, combined dataset from two randomized controlled trials (n=218).
• Participants were randomized to MBSR, an active control, or a waitlist control.
• Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess gray matter volume, density, and cortical thickness pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in gray matter volume, density, or cortical thickness were observed in the MBSR group compared to either control group.
• These findings were consistent at both the whole-brain level and in specific regions of interest.

Conclusions:

• The study failed to replicate previous claims of MBSR-induced neuroplasticity.
• Current evidence does not support the notion that MBSR alters brain structure in meditation-naïve individuals.