Core Study APFCE
Aims
(include hypotheses and research questions if relevant)
Investigate potential long-term effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on brain grey matter density
before/after the mindfulness course
- Looked at changes in specific brain regions and the whole brain
- Compared grey matter before/after mindfulness course
Procedure
(include method and sample)
Method:
- EXPERIMENT with a LONGITUDINAL DESIGN [same ppts over time]
- INDEPENDENT MEASURES DESIGN – comparison with control group
- REPEATED MEASURES DESIGN – longitudinal design [pre and post intervention]
- Data collection – MRI scan and questionnaires
Sample:
- OPPORTUNITY sample
- Recruited from mindfulness based stress reduction courses
- Massachusetts university
- Enrolled to program => referred by Dr or wanted to learn stress reduction
- All ppts healthy and not taking meds
- All ppts had limited experience of meditation classes [none in last 5,10 years or lifetime]
- All fit for MRI
- All committed to attend all sessions and complete h/w
- Age 22 to 55
Experimental group Control group
Undertook MBSR course Waiting list for MBSR course
- 8 weekly group meetings
- 2 ½ hrs each
- One full day = 6.5 hrs on 6th week
3 formal mindfulness training exercises:
1. BODY SCAN
o Attention sequentially guided though entire body
o Observing with non-judgmental awareness the
sensations in each region
o Ending with awareness of body as complete whole
2. MINDFUL YOGA
o Gentle stretching exercises
o Slow movements coordinated with breath
o Emphasis placed on bringing full
awareness to moment-to-moment
experience
o Non-harming attitude toward body
o Ppts encouraged to investigate what feels
appropriate to body and know limitations
3. SITTING MEDITATION
o Awareness of sensations of breathing
o Evolve to include awareness of
different modalities [sounds, sight,
taste, thoughts, emotions, other body
sensations]
o Emphasis given to open awareness
meditation – field of awareness
expanded to include anything that
appears in consciousness
o Simple awareness on presence in
present
n=16 n=17
o 6 males o 11 males
o 10 females o 6 females
Mean age = 38.0 Mean age = 39.0
o S.D. = 4.1 years o S.D. = 9.2 years
- 13 white - 13 white
- 1 asian - 2 asian
- 1 black - 1 hispanic
- 1 multi-ethnic - 2 black
Average 17.7 years of education Average 17.3 years of education
o S.D. = 1.9 years o S.D. = 18 years
Aims
(include hypotheses and research questions if relevant)
Investigate potential long-term effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on brain grey matter density
before/after the mindfulness course
- Looked at changes in specific brain regions and the whole brain
- Compared grey matter before/after mindfulness course
Procedure
(include method and sample)
Method:
- EXPERIMENT with a LONGITUDINAL DESIGN [same ppts over time]
- INDEPENDENT MEASURES DESIGN – comparison with control group
- REPEATED MEASURES DESIGN – longitudinal design [pre and post intervention]
- Data collection – MRI scan and questionnaires
Sample:
- OPPORTUNITY sample
- Recruited from mindfulness based stress reduction courses
- Massachusetts university
- Enrolled to program => referred by Dr or wanted to learn stress reduction
- All ppts healthy and not taking meds
- All ppts had limited experience of meditation classes [none in last 5,10 years or lifetime]
- All fit for MRI
- All committed to attend all sessions and complete h/w
- Age 22 to 55
Experimental group Control group
Undertook MBSR course Waiting list for MBSR course
- 8 weekly group meetings
- 2 ½ hrs each
- One full day = 6.5 hrs on 6th week
3 formal mindfulness training exercises:
1. BODY SCAN
o Attention sequentially guided though entire body
o Observing with non-judgmental awareness the
sensations in each region
o Ending with awareness of body as complete whole
2. MINDFUL YOGA
o Gentle stretching exercises
o Slow movements coordinated with breath
o Emphasis placed on bringing full
awareness to moment-to-moment
experience
o Non-harming attitude toward body
o Ppts encouraged to investigate what feels
appropriate to body and know limitations
3. SITTING MEDITATION
o Awareness of sensations of breathing
o Evolve to include awareness of
different modalities [sounds, sight,
taste, thoughts, emotions, other body
sensations]
o Emphasis given to open awareness
meditation – field of awareness
expanded to include anything that
appears in consciousness
o Simple awareness on presence in
present
n=16 n=17
o 6 males o 11 males
o 10 females o 6 females
Mean age = 38.0 Mean age = 39.0
o S.D. = 4.1 years o S.D. = 9.2 years
- 13 white - 13 white
- 1 asian - 2 asian
- 1 black - 1 hispanic
- 1 multi-ethnic - 2 black
Average 17.7 years of education Average 17.3 years of education
o S.D. = 1.9 years o S.D. = 18 years
