Understanding how mindfulness helps people with anxiety and if it affects men and women differently
Official title: Elucidating Neural Mechanisms and Sex Differences in Response to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11076334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how practicing mindfulness can help people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder by seeing how it affects their brain and emotions, and it will also check if men and women respond differently to these mindfulness techniques.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $634,705 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT011257-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder who are interested in mindfulness practices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Generalized Anxiety Disorder or those who are not interested in mindfulness techniques may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can help individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) by exploring the brain mechanisms involved. It aims to understand how MBSR improves emotional regulation and attention, particularly focusing on the brain regions responsible for fear and emotion management. The study will also examine whether there are differences in how men and women respond to MBSR, providing insights into personalized treatment approaches. Participants will undergo neuroimaging to observe changes in brain activity associated with mindfulness practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, tailored treatments for anxiety that enhance emotional regulation and reduce symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness techniques can be effective for anxiety, but this study aims to explore new neural mechanisms, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simon, Naomi M — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Simon, Naomi M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how heavy drinking and anxiety relate in emerging adults
This grant studies how heavy alcohol use and anxiety symptoms interact in young adults (ages 18–34) and what biological stress markers might reveal about that relationship.
-
Cannabidiol-boosted therapy for generalized anxiety disorder
A new project tests whether cannabidiol can boost the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with generalized anxiety disorder.
-
Using cannabidiol to improve cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety
This study is looking at whether adding cannabidiol, a safe part of cannabis, can make cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) more effective for people with generalized anxiety disorder, helping them better manage their emotions and anxiety.
-
Using a mobile app to provide mindfulness therapy for patients with serious illness and their caregivers to reduce anxiety symptoms.
This study is exploring how a mobile app called Mindfulness Coach can help people with serious illnesses and their caregivers manage anxiety through mindfulness therapy, making it easier for them to access support when they need it.
-
Doula support to improve mood and anxiety health for rural mothers
A rural-focused program tests whether birth doulas can boost confidence, support, and maternal health for new mothers with mood and anxiety concerns.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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.