Holzel Et Al (procedure)

Question 1

What is the aim of the study?

Answer 1

• To investigate whether participation in an 8 week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course.
• Could lead to changes in grey matter concentration in the brain.

Question 2

What is the Mindfulness-based stress reduction course?

Answer 2

• A standard programme of mindfulness based interventions. (lasting 8 weeks)
• That trains ppts in mindfulness exercises.
• Designed to develop awareness of the present moment and a compassionate non-judgmental view.

Question 3

How long did the course last?

Answer 3

The course consisted of:
* Weekly sessions: 2 hours and 30 mins
* Full day session: In the 6th week (6.5hours)
* 8 Weeks

Question 4

Summarise the procedure

Answer 4

1. MBSR course
2. 3 Mindfulness exercises
3. Audio recordings
4. Classes
5. Questionnaires
6. Homework
7. MRI scans

Question 5

What 3 mindfulness exercises did the ppts have to do?

Answer 5

• Body scan
• Mindful yoga
• Sitting mediation

Question 6

Define “body scan”

Answer 6

• Attension is guided throughout the body in a sequence
• Which ends in with a perception of the body as a complete whole.

Question 7

Define “Mindful Yoga”

Answer 7

• Consists of gentle stretching, breathing exercises, slow movement
• Aims to raise awarness of the moment to moment experience

Question 8

Define “Sitting Meditation”

Answer 8

• Focuses on internal bodily sensations as well as thoughts and feelings
• And progresses to extenal sensations such as sounds, sights and tastes

Question 9

Describe the audio recording used in the study

Answer 9

• A 45 minute recording of guided mindfulness exercises
• Was given to each ppts with the instruction to practice them at home daily (H/W)

Question 10

What was the ppts H/W?

Answer 10

• Listening to the 45 minute guided mindfulness exercises at home daily
• Reporting time spent on the formal HW/ time spent on the 3 mindful exercises

Question 11

Describe the sessions/classes that the ppts had to attend

Answer 11

• Ppts were given advice on how to intergrate mindfulness in everyday activities (showering, eating)
• Instructions on how to use mindfulness to deal with stress of daily life

Question 12

What is the FFMQ?

Answer 12

• 5 Facet Mindfulness Questionnare
• A questionnare with 39 items with 5 (Likert) scales measuring (observations, describing, acting with awarness, Non judging, non reactivity)
• Completed by the EG before and after the course
• Completed by the CG twice
• 14 ppts in each group provided usuable data at both time points
• ( reverse scoring)

Question 13

What is “observing”?

Answer 13

• Noticing internal and external stimuli
• Such as (thoughts, feelings, sights)

Question 14

What is “describing”

Answer 14

• Mentally labelling these observations with words

Question 15

What is “acting with awareness”?

Answer 15

• Attentiveness to current actions
• Rather than responding absentmindedly/ automatically

Question 16

What is non-judging (of inner exeperince)?

Answer 16

• Not evaluating sensations, cognitions or emotions

Question 17

What is non reactivity (to inner experience)?

Answer 17

• Allowing thoughts and feelings to drift in and out

Question 18

How is the total FFMQ calculated?

Answer 18

• Total SCORE OF EACH of the 5 subscales are added up
• There are 7/8 items in each subscale
• And these totals are added together

Question 19

Give an example of 2 items on the FFMQ?

Answer 19

• I’m good at finding words to describe my feelings
• I criticize myself for having irrational or inappropiate emotions

Question 20

What is reverse scoring?

Answer 20

• The numerical scoring RUNS in the OPPOSITE direction
• (So negative statments are reversed on the scale)

Question 21

Why does reverse scoring increase the validity of a questionnare?

Answer 21

• Keep respondents from awnsering carelessly as it requires more cognitive thought
• Corrects for agreemnent bias
• Ensure fuller measurement of an attitude/ opinion

Question 22

What are MRI scans?

Answer 22

• A non invasive neuroiamging technique
• operates through powerful magnetic fields and radio frequencies
• to generate detailed and intricate images of the brain.

Question 23

Describe the MRI stage for the experimental group

Answer 23

• Scanned during the 2 weeks BEFORE and AFTER the course
• Gap of 56 days

Question 24

Describe the MRI stage for the control group

Answer 24

• Scanned twice
• 2 months apart

Question 25

How was the data from the MRI scans used?

Answer 25

• To produce a region of interest analysis
• Whole brain analysis (other regions potentially affected)

Question 26

What was the regions of interests?

Answer 26

(The hippocampus on both sides of the brain)
* Bi-lateral hippocampi
* Bilateral in-sula-e