Investigating how mindfulness and slow breathing affect brain responses
Official title: fMRI of cerebral responses to breathing of mindfulness and slow paced breathing at brainstem and higher brain
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11070409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how paying attention to your breathing can change how your brain works, and it's for anyone interested in how mindfulness might help improve their mental and physical health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $225,450 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AT012386-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals interested in mindfulness practices or those experiencing stress and anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not engage in mindfulness or breathing exercises may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how mindfulness, particularly through attention to breathing, influences brain activity. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the study will map brain responses to different breathing patterns, including mindfulness-based breathing and slow-paced breathing. By examining the brain's responses at both the brainstem and higher brain regions, the research aims to uncover the connections between breathing patterns and brain function. This could provide insights into how mindfulness practices can affect mental and physical health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance mindfulness practices, leading to improved mental health and well-being for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the brain's response to mindfulness and breathing techniques, indicating that this approach is supported by existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwong, Kenneth K — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kwong, Kenneth K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.