How symptoms, thoughts, and behaviors change week by week during a 7-week online mindfulness program for emotional distress
Weekly Dynamics of Psychopathological and Symptom Networks During Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Emotional Distress
This trial tests whether a 7-week self-guided online mindfulness program helps people with high emotional distress (such as depression or anxiety) and tracks weekly changes in their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Peking University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing) |
| Trial ID | NCT07280481 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional project compares people who begin a 7-week self-guided Mindfulness Intervention for Emotional Distress (iMIED) with a waitlist group. Participants complete short weekly questionnaires about emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and psychological skills before, during, and after the program. Researchers use multi-timepoint network analysis to map how relationships between symptoms and psychological variables change over time and to identify which skills change first and lead to later relief. The design aims to reveal dynamic pathways of change rather than only average symptom reduction.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults experiencing high emotional distress (Kessler-10 score >21) who do not have prior mindfulness meditation experience and who are not currently at suicidal risk, diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, actively substance dependent, or with severe personal trauma history are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with active self-harm or suicidal risk, diagnosed bipolar disorder or psychosis, current substance abuse, severe trauma history, or those already experienced in mindfulness meditation are unlikely to benefit from this intervention or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer an accessible, low-cost online option that reduces emotional distress and pinpoint which psychological skills drive improvement.
How similar studies have performed: Mindfulness-based interventions have shown symptom reductions for some people with depression and anxiety in prior research, but applying intensive weekly network analysis to track dynamic change is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * experiencing emotional distress such as depression or anxiety (Kessler-10 score \> 21) Exclusion Criteria: * prior experience with mindfulness meditation * current self-harm or suicidal risk * bipolar disorder or schizophrenia * history of substance abuse * severe personal trauma history
Where this trial is running
Beijing
- Peking University — Beijing, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Xinghua Liu — School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University
- Study coordinator: Mo Chen
- Email: 514100919@qq.com
- Phone: +86 18950308693
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.