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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for SMI Implemented in a Community Mental Health Setting

Award Number: R01MH136540
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/03/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2029

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for SMI Implemented in a Community Mental Health Setting - Serious mental illness (SMI), encompassing schizophrenia-spectrum and major mood disorders, has been estimated to affect approximately 5.4% of the U.S. adult population each year. Research shows low rates of evidence-based treatment being provided to patients with SMI. This is unfortunate, because evidence-based psychological therapies have been shown to be effective for improving outcomes in SMI. One such efficacious psychological intervention is mindfulness-based therapy (MBT), which integrates mindfulness practice with cognitive-behavioral strategies to improve illness management. Previous trials conducted in the United Kingdom have shown that MBT improves symptoms and functioning in community-based outpatients with SMI, including in routine practice settings. In the U.S., most patients with SMI receive treatment at local community mental health centers (CMHCs). However, patients in CMHCs often cannot access evidence-based therapies like MBT due to the lack of trained staff able to provide these interventions. Further, previous studies of MBT have been conducted exclusively outside the U.S. It is essential to confirm that MBT is effective when delivered for patients with SMI in the U.S., and how it can be sustainably implemented in CMHCs where this clinical population is commonly treated. Thus, we propose to test the effectiveness of MBT for SMI and study its implementation in a typical CMHC setting. Additionally we will specify a certified training program in MBT for frontline clinicians, given the differences between U.K. and U.S. healthcare systems. To speed translation to clinical practice, we also will collect information from diverse community partners on implementation barriers and facilitators to promote future uptake. We will randomize 160 patients with SMI (psychotic-spectrum and major mood disorders) to receive treatment as usual (TAU) vs TAU plus MBT delivered by frontline clinicians in a large, diverse CMHC. We will conduct blinded assessments at baseline and at 6- (mid), 12- (post), and 24- weeks (follow-up). Consistent with an experimental therapeutics approach, we will examine potential mechanisms of action (e.g., mindfulness skills), as well as collect implementation-focused quantitative and qualitative data from our community partners (patients, administrators, clinicians). If found to be effective and aided by a certified training program and the implementation data collected, MBT could be adopted as a future evidence-based practice and integrated into the routine community care of patients with SMI, thereby reducing health disparities.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $710,634 )
2026	2026	BUTLER HOSPITAL	345 BLACKSTONE BLVD STE 2	PROVIDENCE	RI	02906	PROVIDENCE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	12/11/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$710,634
														Subtotal = $710,634

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $768,172 )
2025	2025	BUTLER HOSPITAL	345 BLACKSTONE BLVD STE 2	PROVIDENCE	RI	02906	PROVIDENCE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	2/3/2025	NEW	$768,172
														Subtotal = $768,172

Grand Total All Awards = $1,478,806

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for SMI Implemented in a Community Mental Health Setting

Award Number: R01MH136540

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/03/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2029

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