Hölzel et al. Flashcards
What year did this case study take place
2011
2 key headings to remember in this case study
Mindfulness and Brain Scans
What kind of study is this
Longitudinal Study
How long did this study last and what was it
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course
How many MRI scans were participants given, why, and when
2 MRI scans, (one 2 weeks before the course, one 2 weeks after the course), to measure the grey matter concentration
Why did Hölzel et al. originally plan their study
To overcome the potential problem experienced in earlier cross-sectional studies by using a longitudinal design
What was the aim of this experiment
The aim was to identify changes in specific brain regions and the whole brain by comparing grey matter concentration before and after a mindfulness course
How did the timing of the coursework work
2.5 hour sessions each week for 8 weeks, and a full day session in the 6th week
What were the participants tested on in their mindfulness exercises (2 basic points)
To develop awareness to present-moment experiences and a compassionate, non-judgemental view
What were the 3 mindfulness exercises
Body Scan (attention guided to each body part one at a time, to be able to perceive the body as a ‘complete whole), Mindful Yoga (includes gentle stretching, slow movements, and breathing exercises), and Sitting Meditation (focuses on sensations of all the senses)
What is an example of when standardization was used within this experiment (to ensure all participants got the same instructions and resources within the experiment)
A 45-minute recording of the guided mindfulness exercises was given to each participant to practice daily at home
What was an extra thing that was suggested for participants to do at home, and what instructions were given
Guidance was given for how to engage in mindfulness in everyday life (eating, walking, washing dishes, showering), and instructions were also given on how to use mindfulness to cope with stress in daily life
What type of design was this and what does that mean
This was an independent measures design, which is when you use different participants for each condition of the experiment
What was the main dependent variable within this experiment
The change in grey matter assessed in MRI scans
What did the questionnaires that the participants completed measure, and when did they complete these questionnaires
They measured 5 mindfulness scales, and they completed them before and after the intervention
What kind of people were part of the sample in this study
Recruited from people already enrolled in a MBSR course at the University of Massachusetts
Why were participants already enrolled in the MBSR course
Either because they chose to or had been referred by their doctor
How did all participants describe themselves as
Physically and psychologically healthy, not taking any medication
What kind of experience of meditation classes did the participants have
Limited, none in the last 6 months, and max of 4 in the last 5 years, or 10 in their lifetime
What were the ages of the participants
25-55 years old
Why were the participants safe for an MRI
None of them had metal in their bodies
What did participants commit to
Attending all sessions and completing homework exercises
What was the initial sample
8 males and 10 females - a total of 18
What happened to the sample and what did it end up as
2 males left after the first MRI session due to discomfort, and it fell to 6 males and 10 females- a total of 16 remained
