Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Neurocognitive Outcomes and Applications for Mental Health and Well-Being.
J Clin Med March 3, 2025 Evgenia Gkintoni, Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos, Georgios Nikolaou 64 citations
A systematic review of 23 studies examined whether Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) alters brain function and structure in ways that improve mental health. The evidence suggests MBCT is associated with reduced activity in brain regions linked to rumination and emotional reactivity, such as the default mode network and amygdala, alongside increased prefrontal cortex engagement related to attention regulation. These neurocognitive changes correspond with decreased depressive relapse rates and improved well-being in patients with recurrent depression. The review indicates MBCT may promote brain plasticity in circuits supporting cognitive control and emotion regulation, though the authors note that most studies are small and lack active control groups, limiting causal conclusions.