Mindfulness app training for adolescents to reduce rumination

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of a mindfulness app, specifically Headspace, in reducing rumination and improving symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents aged 13-18. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the mindfulness app or an active control condition and will undergo pre- and post-intervention fMRI scans to explore the neural mechanisms involved. The research aims to identify the cognitive processes that contribute to the benefits of app-based mindfulness training and determine which adolescents may benefit most from this approach.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Both genders, all ethnicities (see Section: Inclusion of Women and Minorities)
* Ages 13-18 years
* Written informed assent/consent from adolescent and parent/guardian
* English as a first language or English fluency
* Right-handed
* Personal iPhone or Android smartphone
* CRSQ rumination subscale score
* If on psychotropic medication, must be on stable dose for at least 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* History or current diagnosis of any of the following DSM-5 disorders: schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, substance/alcohol use disorder within the past 12 months or lifetime severe substance/alcohol use disorder.
* Systemic medical or neurological illness that could impact fMRI measures of cerebral blood flow
* Failure to meet standard exclusion criteria for fMRI scanning (e.g. pregnancy, claustrophobia, cardiac or neural pacemakers, surgically implanted metal devices, cochlear implants, metal objects in the body)
* History of seizure disorder, or head trauma with loss of consciousness \> 2 mins
* Serious or unstable medical illness (e.g., cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic or hematologic disease)
* Participants with active suicidal ideation will be immediately referred to appropriate clinical treatment.
* Current or past treatment with mindfulness-based psychotherapy (e.g., MBCT, DBT or ACT)
* Exposure to in-person or app-based mindfulness/meditation course (at least 300 mins of past practice)

Where it's running

• McLean Hospital
  Belmont, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Christian Webb, Phd
• Email: cwebb@mclean.harvard.edu
• Phone: 6178554429

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.