Holzel et Al Flashcards
State the aims of the study. (2)
1- To identify if regular participation in MBSR leads to neurological changes which may be associated with trait changes related to mindfulness practice.
2- To identify brain structures which changed as a result of an eight week MBSR program.
What is MBSR?
- Mindfulness based stress reduction.
- A program including exercises such as body scan, gentle yoga and sitting meditation.
- Participants practice these exercises everyday throughout the program and work on incorporating mindfulness practice into everyday life.
What research methods were used? (2)
1- Laboratory experiment: brain scans before and after MBSR program.
2- Naturalistic environment: some MBSR exercises week done while walking and doing housework.
State the IVs. (2)
1- Whether participants received MBSR or not.
2- Whether data was collected at the beginning or end of the MBSR program.
State the DVs.(3)
1- Grey matter concentration in specific brain structures.
2- Measure of the five facets of mindfulness using the FFMQ.
3- Time spent on mindfulness exercises between weekly sessions.
What was the experimental design?
Independent measures design.
What was the sampling technique?
- Opportunity sampling.
- Either self-referred or recommended by their physician due to stress.
Describe the sample? (6)
- 33 healthy adults (17 M and 16 F)
- Ages 25-55
- Right-handed.
- Recruited from 4 MBSR courses at the centre of mindfulness.
- Reduced course fees for all participants.
- All had limited meditation experience.
How was the sample divided?
- 6 M and 10 F were assigned to the MBSR group.
- 11 M and 6 F were assigned to the control condition group.
State the procedure before the MBSR session.
- MRI scan two weeks before the first MBSR session.
- Completed the FFMQ.
- 3D model by taking 128 sagittal slices of the brain and combining them using computer software.
- Used a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to measure the concentration of grey matter in regions of interest.
What is the FFMQ?
- Five Facts of Mindfulness Questionnaire
- 39-item scale to measure the five facets of mindfulness.
1. observing
2. describing
3. acting with awareness
4. non-judgement
5. non-reactivity - Responses to the items are given on 5-point likert type scale.
Explain the 8-week program.
- Included 2.5 hours of weekly group meeting.
- Included 6.5 hour training day.
- Included body scanning, mindful yoga and sitting meditation.
- Took place at the centre for mindfulness at the university of Massachusetts medical school.
- Participants were given a 45 minute audio recording of guided mindfulness for coping with stress in daily life.
Explain body scanning.
Slowly becoming aware of sensations in each area of the body in turn, gradually developing awareness of the whole body/mind.
Explain mindful yoga.
Gentle stretching, coordinated, slow movements and breathing with a focus on the moment to moment experience. Full awareness and acceptance of the body’s potential and limitations.
Explain sitting meditation.
Developing awareness of the sensation of breathing and of sensory information and emotions, gradually developing awareness of all aspects of consciousness, including our own presence in the world.
