Trial results for a study investigating neural mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-03-20. The study, which enrolled 61 participants, found a significant difference in brain connectivity changes between MBCT and an active comparator, with a p-value of 0.002 for one key analysis.
Background
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Psychotherapies are a cornerstone of PTSD treatment, with various approaches aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is one such intervention, often compared with other active mind-body therapies. This study aimed to explore the neural mechanisms underlying these treatments, specifically examining how brain activity and connectivity are affected by MBCT and an active mind-body comparison therapy in individuals with PTSD.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 61 participants with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The trial investigated the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) compared to an active mind-body comparison therapy, Muscle Relaxation Therapy (MRG). The study aimed to understand how brain activity and brain connectivity are affected by these psychotherapies.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements related to changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) from intake to post-therapy:
- Change in resting-state functional connectivity between Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC) and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC):
- For the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy group, the mean change was 0.0417 (Standard Error 0.0169) rsFC Beta change score intake to post.
- For the Muscle Relaxation Therapy (MRG) group, the mean change was -0.0262 (Standard Error 0.0142) rsFC Beta change score intake to post.
- Change in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC) and Insula Cortex (Insula):
- For the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy group, the mean change was -0.0067 (Standard Error 0.0090) Beta of BOLD rsFC change score.
- For the Muscle Relaxation Therapy (MRG) group, the mean change was -0.0240 (Standard Error 0.0103) Beta of BOLD rsFC change score.
- A separate measurement for the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy group showed a mean change of -0.0031 (Standard Error 0.0108) Beta of BOLD rsFC change score.
- For the Muscle Relaxation Therapy (MRG) group, this measurement showed a mean change of -0.0223 (Standard Error 0.0112) Beta of BOLD rsFC change score.
Key analyses using a t-test (2-sided) showed:
- A p-value of 0.002 for one comparison.
- A p-value of 0.19 for another comparison.
- A p-value of 0.227 for a third comparison.
What this means
The results suggest that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) may differentially impact brain connectivity in individuals with PTSD compared to Muscle Relaxation Therapy (MRG). Specifically, MBCT was associated with an increase in resting-state functional connectivity between the Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC) and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC), while MRG was associated with a decrease in this connectivity, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.002). This finding points to potential neural mechanisms through which MBCT may exert its therapeutic effects in PTSD. The other reported connectivity changes between PCC and Insula Cortex did not show statistically significant differences between the two therapies.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT03874793, titled "Neural Mechanisms of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)", were posted on 2026-03-20 on clinicaltrials.gov.