Experimental studies on rumination and mindfulness: A multilevel approach using fMRI and ambulatory assessment in clinical and nonclinical samples

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Peter Kirsch; Professorin Dr. Christine Kühner
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: from 2010 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 166393969

During the first funding period (2010-2013), the project investigated functional connectivity and neural correlates of induced attention foci (rumination, mindfulness) using fMRI, and effects of spontaneous and induced attention foci on emotional, cognitive and endocrinological processes in daily life in remitted depressed patients and healthy controls. In this context, we examine the relationship between results of both measurement levels (fMRI, ambulatory assessment, AA) and their predictive value for the course of symptoms. By integrating both research approaches, our project pursues an as yet completely new approach in the area of rumination and mindfulness research. In the second funding period (2013-2016) we aim at investigating AA- and fMRI-based predictors identified during the first funding period with regard to their potential to predict the long-term symptom course and risk of relapse/recurrence in patients, as well as at investigating intervention effects of a specific mindfulness-based attention training on neural and everyday parameters in a new sample of patients.Substudy 1 intends to conduct a concluding three-year-follow-up of the remitted depressed patients (n=60) investigated in study period 1. This allows an examination of long-term predictive effects of depression-related alterations in AA- and fMRI-based variables for the longterm course of symptoms in this already extensively characterized sample. Amongst others, we assume that increased daily rumination, worse mood states and a decreased cortisol response towards subjective experiences in daily life will predict a worse course of symptoms and an increased risk of relapse/recurrence. We also expect that the increased functional connectivity identified within the Default Mode Network (DMN) in patients during negative mood and rumination induction will predict a disadvantageous course of symptoms over the three-year period. Finally, we expect that the relationship between degree of functional connectivity at baseline and the course of symptoms will be mediated by the degree of daily rumination at baseline.Substudy 2 aims to investigate the short-term effects of a four-week mindfulness-based attention training (n=35) compared to a time-matched active control condition (progressive muscle relaxation, n=35) in a randomised experimental intervention study on changes in functional connectivity of the DMN as well as rumination, emotional processes, and cortisol activity in daily life in a new sample of remitted recurrent depressed patients. In particular, we expect that the mindfulness training will lead to a stronger decrease in functional connectivity in the DMN, to a more substantial reduction in daily rumination, and to larger increases in autobiographical memory specificity and habitual mindfulness. Finally, we expect that improvements in daily rumination will mediate the effect of the intervention on functional connectivity in the DMN.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants