# Effectiveness and Implementation of a Mindfulness Intervention for Depressive Symptoms Among Low-income, Racial/Ethnic Minority Adults in a Federally Qualified Health Center

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $451,991

## Abstract

The objective of this R01 (PA-16-160) application is to examine the clinical effectiveness of a mindfulness
intervention on reducing depressive symptoms among socio-economically disadvantaged, racial/ethnic minority
adults and explore factors related to implementation in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This
research will be used to develop a generalizable model for delivery of streamlined mental health interventions in
community based settings that will be broadly disseminated and scalable to other populations. Black and
Hispanic adults are more likely than those who are White to receive depression treatment in primary care, where
antidepressants are the most commonly offered treatment. However, Black and Hispanic adults are less likely
than Whites to find antidepressants acceptable. A mindfulness depression intervention provided within primary
care may be more accessible and acceptable for low-income, racial/ethnic minority individuals, a severely
underserved population. Accumulating research suggests that mindfulness interventions reduce the
inflammatory response that can be triggered by stress and improves psychological outcomes. We propose to
conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the clinical effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention (M-Body) on
reducing depressive symptoms, compared to usual care, among low-income racial/ethnic minority adults in a
FQHC. In preliminary studies, women ages 18-65 with depressive symptoms were recruited from a FQHC to
participate in the 8-week, 90 minute per session M-Body intervention. The M-Body intervention is based on
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and has been tailored for the FQHC setting and patient population.
Data from four pilot groups led by the PI (N=31) and FQHC health educator (N=41) provide evidence of
acceptability, feasibility and improved depressive symptom and stress outcomes over time. Adults (N=330) with
depressive symptoms will be recruited from a FQHC in the Chicago, IL area that serves majority racial/ethnic
minority individuals (90%) living at or below the poverty line (74%). Half of the patients will be randomized to the
M-Body intervention arm where they will receive 8-weeks of mindfulness training led by FQHC staff and the other
half will be randomized to usual care. Information on factors relevant to implementation of the intervention in the
FQHC will be obtained by convening a series of workgroups and individual interviews with FQHC staff, executive
leadership and community stakeholders. Specific Aims: 1) Determine the effectiveness of a mindfulness
intervention (M-Body) on reducing depressive symptoms compared to enhanced usual care for racial/ethnic
minority adults in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC); 2) Explore potential mediators (stress related
biomarkers, mindfulness) and moderators (age, personal, social, environmental stressors) of the intervention's
effect; 3) Conduct a broad assessment of organizational and individual agency fact...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9893027
- **Project number:** 5R01MD012236-03
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Inger E Burnett-Zeigler
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $451,991
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-13 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9893027

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9893027, Effectiveness and Implementation of a Mindfulness Intervention for Depressive Symptoms Among Low-income, Racial/Ethnic Minority Adults in a Federally Qualified Health Center (5R01MD012236-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9893027. Licensed CC0.

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