Center for Mindfulness & Compassion - Boston

Our research programs aim to investigate the impact of mindfulness and compassion based interventions on outcomes of health and well-being, the underlying neural mechanisms of self-regulation, and healthcare system transformation.

January 21, 2025: CMC announces Landmark Study on Mindfulness Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Published in JAMA; Mindfulness-Based Therapy Reduces Opioid Craving by 67 Percent, Highlights National Trial. Read the study here.

Active Studies

  • PARTS NB: "The Program for Alleviating Relationship Trauma and Stress through New Behaviors (PARTS-NB)" is a pilot trial investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a live-online, Internal Family Systems program for individuals that have a history of using violence in intimate partner relationships. Participants will complete weekly groups for 20 weeks as well as 6 to 9 individual sessions throughout the study period. We are collaborating with Waterland counseling in Washington State to receive referrals and support the necessary court-requirements for our participants. The study is funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce Office of Crime Victims Advocacy.

  • PARTS-DIGITAL:  Compassion arising from investigating suffering is not cultivated in isolation. Using machine learning and AI we will identify digital biomarkers of compassion in IFS groups, which use structured contemplative practice.  For more information on this project please see the description at the funders website: Varela Grants, Mind and Life Foundation.

  • PARTS-CPP: This study is investigating the feasibility of using Natural Language Processing and recurrent neural networks to identify potential mechanisms of change in Internal Family Systems. We are collaborating with the PARTS Clinical Service to receive referrals for this study.  The study is funded by the Livingston Fellowship Award, Harvard Medical School Fellowships.

Participate in Research

  • OWL: Our Whole Lives, see study flyer here.

  • Be Well With Migraine: flyer coming soon

Past Studies

Mindful-PC: Integrating Mindfulness into the Patient-Centered Medical Home

Mindful-OBOT: Effect of Mindfulness on Opioid Use and Anxiety During Primary Care Buprenorphine Treatment

PARTS: Program for Alleviating and Resolving Trauma and Stress (PARTS Pilot Study), Supporting mental health with Internal Family Systems

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