2.3 Holzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) Flashcards
Psychology being investigated
localisation of function
mindfulness
localisation of mindfulness is being investigated, one region of interest being investigated is the hippocampus (associated with memory and emotion regulation) along with the insula (partly responsible for awareness)
What is localisation of function?
refers to the way that particular brain areas are responsible for different activities
What is mindfulness?
a state achieved through meditation that aims to increase awareness of the present-moment experience and enable a person to look at themselves in a compassionate, non-judgemental way
What is MRI and VBM?
MRI- magnetic resonance imaging technique used to create detailed images of the living brain. Can measure microscopic changes that occur in specific brain structures following mindfulness practice.
problems- loud noise, the narrow tube can be confining, unsuitable for people with metal in the body
VBM- Voxel-based morphometry
measures changes in grey matter concentration which can quantify microscopic changes
What is grey and white matter concentration?
Grey matter: the cell bodies of neurons
White matter: the axons of neurons
Aim
Identify changes in specific brain regions, and the whole brain, by comparing grey matter concentration before and after an 8-week mindfulness course (MBSR)
Research Method And Design
Experiment in a longitudinal design
looked for a causal relationship between MBSR and grey matter concentration
one part of the study was a correlation as researchers looked for a causal relationship between time spent on mindfulness exercises and an increase in grey matter concentration
Independent measures design
IVs and DVs
IV-
if participants received the MBSR course
if data was collected at the beginning or the end of the eight-week study period
DV-
grey matter concentration
Five facets of mindfulness questionnaire
time spent on mindfulness exercises
Sample and sampling technique
Opportunity sample
33 right-handed, psychically and psychologically healthy adults
25-55 years old
limited experience in meditation classes
recruited from four MBSR courses held at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
experimental group:
initially 18, but 2 males left after the first MRI session
so, 6 males and 10 females (16 in total)
mean age- 38
control group:
7 males and 10 females
mean age- 39
both groups enrolled for the MBSR course either self-referred or recommended by their physician due to stress
the control group was on the ‘wait-list’
Describe the FFMQ
Five facets of mindfulness questionnaire
39 items that measure:
Observing
Describing
Acting with awareness
Non-judging
Non-reactivity
5-point Likert-type scale
1- never or rarely true and 5- very often or always true
reverse scoring was also used to increase the validity
14 participants from each group gave useable data
Describe the procedure before and after the MBSR sessions
MRI scans of the brain were conducted two weeks before the experimental group’s first MNSR session and two weeks afterthe course completed.
The researchers analysed the models using the VBM to measure grey matter concentration in regions of interest and the brain as a whole.
The control group also had the pre and post-tests
Both groups also completed the FFMQ before and the MBSR course
Each participant’s two scans were compared using VBM and differences in the FFMQ were also calculated
Describe the procedure during the 8-week program
Participants were trained in the following exercises:
body scan- attention is guided in a sequence through the whole body
mindful yoga- gentle stretching, slow movements and breathing exercises
sitting meditation- focuses on the sensation of breathing and progresses to the other body sensations as well as thoughts and emotions
The experimental group was given a 45-minute audio recording of guided mindfulness exercises and was instructed to practise daily (homework)
Also given guidance on how to engage in mindfulness in everyday life, when eating, walking, showering etc. Instruction was also given on how to cope with stress in daily life
In-person 2.5-hour weekly group meetings, and one full-day session on the sixth week at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Results-
the experimental group spent an average of 22.6 hours on mindfulness homework during the course, approximately 27 minutes per day
Most time spent on body scanning- 699 minutes
Participants in the MBSR course significantly increase their mindfulness scores on the three subscales- acting with awareness, observing and non-judging
changes in grey matter concentration were not correlated with the amount of time spent on the MBSR course, and changes in the FFMQ score.
Importance in the regularity
Results- regions that had an increase in grey matter concentration
Left hippocampus
Posterior cingulate cortex
Left temporo-parietal junction
Lateral cerebellum
Cerebellar vermis/ brainstem
no significant difference was found in the insulae
Methodological strengths
The use of VBM and FFMQ gives quantitative data- objective
FFMQ had a strong positive correlation
Use of control group- increased validity because they could compare the changes in the grey matter concentration
ecological validity- researchers encouraged to incorporate mindfulness in everyday life (cooking, showering)
longitudinal design- no participant varibles
