The Role of Anchoring and Distraction in the Effectiveness of Mindfulness on Reducing Emotional Reactivity
Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · Mar 9, 2025
Trial Information
Current as of April 29, 2025
Active, not recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying how an 8-week program called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) can help people manage their emotions. The researchers want to understand how two techniques, called anchoring and distraction, play a role in this process. Anchoring helps individuals focus on something stable to ground themselves, while distraction takes their mind off distressing feelings. They believe that practicing mindfulness may also change how the brain works, which they will check using a special imaging technique called fMRI.
To participate in this study, individuals need to be right-handed and currently enrolled in a postgraduate program for professional counseling. However, there are some important criteria to consider. For instance, people with certain brain-related health issues, those who have had severe injuries to the head, or those with specific medical devices or conditions like diabetes or asthma are not eligible. Participants will undergo mindfulness training and may experience changes in their emotional responses, which could provide valuable insights into how these techniques work for emotional adjustment.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • Right-handed
- • Currently registered in post-graduated program with professional counselling training
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • History of neurological or other disorders affecting the brain (such as encephalitis, epilepsy, birth defects, or polio)
- • Have experienced a concussion, head or brain trauma, seizures, loss of consciousness
- • Have been injured in the eye by a metallic foreign body.
- • Have been injured by metallic foreign body (e.g. bullet, shrapnel)
- • History of sickle cell anemia/kidney disease/diabetes, asthma, or allergies
- • Long-term use of medication is required
- • Currently pregnant or breast feeding.
- * Had the following conditions or implants in their body:
- • Surgical clips
- • Cardiac pacemaker
- • Neurostimulator/internal electrodes
- • Insulin pump
- • Internal shunt
- • Metal screen / suture
- • Cochlear implants
- • Hearing aid
- • Eye implants/eyelid springs
- • Orthopaedic devices (e.g. pins, nails, screws)
- • Prosthetic heart valve
- • Breast tissue expander
- • Tattoo or permanent eye-lining
- • Body ring
- • Patch/Blood Glucose Monitor
- • Dentures
- • Intrauterine contraceptive device
- • Metal blockage in the blood vessel/metal foreign body in the body
About The University Of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a leading research institution dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes through innovative clinical trials. With a commitment to excellence in research and education, HKU collaborates with various stakeholders, including healthcare providers and industry partners, to conduct rigorous and ethically sound clinical studies. The university's diverse expertise and state-of-the-art facilities enable it to explore a wide range of therapeutic areas, contributing to the global pursuit of scientific advancement and the development of novel treatment strategies.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Hong Kong, , Hong Kong
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Shui-fong Lam, PhD
Study Director
The University of Hong Kong
Gloria HY Wong
Principal Investigator
The University of Hong Kong
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported