Holzel Et Al (procedure)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Investigate the potential long term effects of a MBSR program on brain grey matter density.

(before and after a mindfulness course)

Question 2

Method?

Answer 2

Experiment
Longitudinal design

Question 3

Experimental design

Answer 3

Independent measures design as they compared the control and experimental groups.

Longitudinal repeated measures design as they compared pre/post intervention comparisons of grey matter.

Question 4

Independent variable

Answer 4

Exposure to 8 week mindfulness based intervention (OR NOT)

Question 5

Dependent variable

Answer 5

Any change in grey matter (before and after interventions.
Questionnaire results to measure 5 mindfulness scales (before and after interventions

Question 6

MBSR Course

Answer 6

Mindfulness based stress reduction

Question 7

Describe the overall procedure

Question 8

Step 1: MBSR programme

Answer 8

8 weekly group meetings
2 and half hours each
One full day (6.5 hours) on week 6

Question 9

Step 2: 3 formal mindfulness training exercises

Answer 9

Body scan
Yoga
Sitting meditation

Question 10

Body scan

Answer 10

Guided awareness of the whole body resulting in the awareness of the body as whole.

Question 11

Yoga

Answer 11

Includes Gentle stretching, breathing exercises which raises awareness of the present moment.

Question 12

Sitting meditation

Answer 12

Focuses attention on bodying sensations as well as thoughts and emotions.

Question 13

Step 3: the audio recordings

Answer 13

All ppts were given 45 minute recordings of guided meditation to practice at home.
They were also taught how to integrate mindfulness into everyday activities.

Question 14

Step 4:

Answer 14

During classes formal exercises were practices and questions about the practice were answered .

Question 15

Data collection

Answer 15

The studies ppts have reported the time they engaged in mindfulness exercises daily.

Question 16

Step 5: FFMQ

Answer 16

• to be completed before and after the intervention

Question 17

What are the 5 factors of mindfulness?

Answer 17

Observing
Describing
Acting with awareness
Non judging inner experiences
Non reactivity to inner experiences

Question 18

Explain the 3 factors of mindfulness.

Answer 18

Observing- observing internal/external stimuli
Describing- Labelling stimuli with words
Acting with awareness- attending to one’s currents actions rather than behaviour automatically.

Question 19

Explain 2 factors of mindfulness

Answer 19

Non judging of inner experiences- not evaluating one’s sensations, cognitions, emotions

Non reactivity to inner experiences- allowing thoughts and feelings to come up and go

Question 20

What is the FFMQ

Answer 20

• 5 facet mindfulness questionnaire
  -39 item scale to measure
  -Responses given on 5 point Likert scale
• Reverse scaling on some questions

Question 21

What is a reverse scale? Why was it used?

Answer 21

Numerical scoring scale runs in the opposite direction
Reduced fatigue and practice effect. Also demand characteristics. Ppts answer carefully .
Improves validity

Question 22

Step 5: MRI scan

Answer 22

Experimental group- scanned 2 weeks before and after participation in the programme. (56 day gap)
Control group- scanned twice, 2 months apart (66)

Question 23

Step5 how was the data from the MRI used?

Answer 23

• to produce a region of interest analysis
• provide a whole brain analysis
• bilateral hippocampi and insulae were measured (ROI)
• whole brain analysis was used to explore other regions potentially affected

Question 24

Procedure: overview

Answer 24

1. MBSR programme
2. 3 formal mindfulness exercises
3. Classes
4. Questionnaires
5. MRI scans