Mindfulness for Emotional Distress: An EEG-Based Trial in Adults
Official title: Effects and Multimodal EEG Mechanisms of an 8-week Mindfulness Intervention for Emotional Distress: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Peking University · NCT07692269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A randomized trial tests a mindfulness program for adults with subclinical emotional distress to see if it reduces anxiety and changes brain activity compared with progressive muscle relaxation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Peking University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 4, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | February 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07692269 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 18-50 with elevated distress (K10 > 21) who have not recently practiced mindfulness or PMR and can commit to 8 weeks of group sessions plus daily home practice.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with current severe mental illness, recent crisis, ongoing psychotherapy or new psychiatric medications, or conditions affecting EEG measurements may not benefit or participate.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study is a two-arm, randomized trial enrolling adults 18-50 with elevated distress. Participants receive an 8-week mindfulness intervention or a matched 8-week PMR control, with weekly group sessions and daily home practice. Outcomes include anxiety and depressive symptoms and multimodal EEG measures to explore neural changes related to emotional processing, assessed at baseline, after the program, and one month later. Brief online symptom tracking occurs during intervention weeks 2, 4, and 6. The trial aims to link neural remodeling with symptom improvement and to understand how mindfulness skills are acquired.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced anxiety and improved emotional regulation, with evidence of brain changes supporting these benefits.
How similar studies have gone: Prior mindfulness studies show promise for reducing distress, but this study adds neurophysiological measures to understand mechanisms.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-50 years Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score \> 21 No systematic mindfulness or progressive muscle relaxation practice in the past 6 months (frequency \< 1 time per week) Normal or corrected-to-normal vision Voluntary participation with signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Prior diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe mental disorders by a psychiatrist Suicidal plan, self-injury, or need for emergency psychological crisis intervention in the past month Currently receiving systematic psychotherapy or participating in other psychological intervention programs Started psychiatric medication within the past 3 months or on an unstable medication dosage History of epilepsy, severe brain injury, or other neurological disorders that may affect EEG measurement Severe vision or hearing impairment or other conditions preventing completion of study procedures
Where it's running
-
Peking University, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Xinghua Liu, Dr. — School of Psychological and Cognitive Science,Peking University
- Study coordinator: Qinsi Zheng
- Email: qszheng25@stu.pku.edu.cn
- Phone: +86 13457651658
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.