Hölzel et al.'s biological core study on mindfulness and brain scans

Question 1

Assumptions of the biologiccal approach and how they relate to this core study

Answer 1

The first assumption of the biological approach that cognitions can be explained by the working brain relates to the Holzel study due to the increase in grey matter concentration that was found in the brain. The improvement in their level of mindfulness is a result of the brain changes that occurred.

Question 2

The psychology that is being investigated

Answer 2

• mindfulness meditation a form of mental training to induce changes inthe brain through repeated practice
• Neurplasticity study hypothesizes that mindfulness meditation can lead to changes in brain structures, indicating that the brain is not a static organ but is malleable and can be shaped by experiences, including meditative practices.
• Stress Reduction and Psychological Well-being studies like MBSR, can reduce stress and improve overall psychological health. mindfulness can alter one’s relationship to stressful events,
• Brain Areas Associated with Mindfulness Practices The focus on specific brain areas changes in these areas might underlie the psychological benefits

Question 3

The background

Answer 3

Studies in the past conducted to measure the hippocampus and right anterior insula after mindfulness exercises showed an increase in grey matter density in these areas, however, these 6 studies outlined by holzel et al were cross sectional, meaning only measured at one point in time.

Question 4

what is neuroplasticity

Answer 4

he brain is adaptable and can be reshaped by experiences like meditation.

Question 5

hippocampus and prefrontal cortex responsibility

Answer 5

brain areas responsible for attention, emotion regulation, and self-awareness

Question 6

The aim

Answer 6

To investigate the potential long term effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on brain grey matter density

Question 7

The procedures

Answer 7

• MSRB program consisted of 8 weekly meetings lasted 2.5 hours each with 1 full day session on week 6
• including topics such as body scans (to feel the body as a complete whole, being made aware of any sensations) , mindful yoga (gentle stretching exercises) , and sitting meditation (focusing on the sensation of breathing and becoming aware of other sense
• The course also assigned each participant homework, 45 minute audio recording that was meant to be listened to when performing everyday tasks such as riding the bus or doing laundry.

Question 8

The research method used

Answer 8

• Experimental using longitudinal design.
• Self-reports and brain scans.

Question 9

The number of participants and where they were from

Answer 9

• 16 in total
• 10 females
• 6 males
• enrolled in a MBSR course at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
• mostly white (had 3 other ethinicticy)
• all right handed
• 25- 55 years old range

Question 10

Describe the control gorup

Answer 10

• 17 particpants
• 11 males
• 6 females

Question 11

Critera to be part of study

Answer 11

• be right handed
• commitment to attend all eight classes
• perform the prescribed daily homework.

Question 12

The sampling method used

Answer 12

The participants were enrolled in the MBSR course so it could have been volunteer or opportunity.

Question 13

The experimental design

Answer 13

Independent measures

Question 14

MBSR stands for…

Answer 14

mindfulness-based stress reduction

Question 15

FFMQ

Answer 15

Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
* Observing : attending to or noticing internal or external stimuli
* Describing : noting or mentally labelling these stimuli with words
* Acting with awareness: being attentive to current actions
* Non-judging : not evaluating emotions, sensations or cognitions
* Non-reactivity: allowing thoughts and feelings to drift in and out
reverse-scoring used

Question 16

Study used a pre____ design

Answer 16

pre-post design where research measured gray matter concentration pre and post the MBSR program
Then comapred to the control group of 17 who did not complete the MBSR programe.

Question 17

The controls used

Answer 17

• made sure that the participants did not have any metallic implants or claustrophobia, which could affect the MRI scans.
• They also made sure that the participants did not have any other meditation experience in the past 6 months, no more than four classes in the past 5 years, or 10 classes in their lifetime.

Question 18

Data collection method used

Answer 18

Slef report

• a five facet mindfulness questionnaire
• 39 item scale that measure observing, describing, acting with awareness, non judging of inner experience, and non reactivity to inner experience
• 1= never 5=very often

Brain Scan
- all participants were scanned twice, once at the beginning of the study and once at the end, approximately two months apart.
- Voxel based morphometry- measures concentration of brain tissue.

Question 19

Independent and dependent variables used

Answer 19

IV

• MBSR and Control Group

DV

• FFMQ results and voxel-based morphology scores

Question 20

Ethical issues

Answer 20

Weakness
Participants had to partake in an MRI Brain Scan. This could cause them stress which means participants did not exit with the same physiological state they entered with.

Strength
- procedure was approved by IRBs of massachutes general hospital and univeruty of massachites medical school
- had the right to withdraaw as 2 ps did not come back.

Question 21

Results

Quantitative/qualitative data & how it is represented and interpeted

Answer 21

• MBSR grp identified a small cluster in left hippocampus with increased grey matter concentration
• MBSR group demonstrated significant improvements in ‘acting with awareness’, ‘observing’ and non-judging’
• amount of hw did no affect gray metter density

Question 22

Conclusions drawn

Answer 22

• Demonstrates longitudinal changes in brain grey matter conc following an 8 week mindfulness bases stress reduction course compared to control grp
• Hypothesized increases in GMC within the left hippocampus were confirmed

The adult nervous system has the capacity for plasticity and the structure of the brain can change in response to training.

Question 23

Strengths
Methodological issues:

Reserach method, reliabilty,validty,generalibily,& control of variables

Answer 23

• ** Use of a control group** – The study included a control group of individuals who did not participate in the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program. Allowed the researchers to compare changes in gray matter concentration between the MBSR group and the control group. The use of a control group strengthens the ** internal validity** of the study by ruling out alternative explanations for the observed changes in gray matter concentration.
• Use of voxel-based morphometry To measure changes in gray matter concentration in the brain. VBM is a well-established method for measuring changes in gray matter concentration and has been used in numerous studies of mindfulness and meditation. The use of VBM strengthens the validity of the study’s findings by providing a reliable and objective measure of changes in gray matter concentration.

Question 24

Weakness
Methodological Issues

Reserach method, reliabilty,validty,generalibily,& control of variables

Answer 24

The use of questionnaires is a weakness in Holzel et al. This is because the completion of the FFMQ before and after the program might have made some participants rate differently based on wanting to look good rather than it being a valid reflection of the program itself. (social desired answers)

Generalisability is a weakness because the sample only had right handed people in it. This could make generalisations difficult. This is because left handed people may use their brain differently to right handed people when undertaking mindfulness activities. Therefore, the findings about brain changes as a result of mindfulness may only apply to right handed people.

Question 25

Everyday Life

The issues of application of psychology and how it realtes to the study

Answer 25

People who are having memory problems could benift from an MBSR style programme. Help increase brain denisty in the hippocampus and lead to a more effiecent memory system

Question 26

Individual and Situational explanations debate

how it relates to the study

Answer 26

I
different perosnalities of ps may have caused them to be lees successfull in the programe also the person lifestyle and how they practice and did homeowrk in their daily life

S
the people engaged in a MBSR program did affect the gray brain matter density compared to the conrtol group so the MBSR programe did have a effect ont the brain

Question 27

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

how it relates to the study

Answer 27

Hölzel et al.’s findings significantly contribute to the nature versus nurture debate in psychology. Mindfulness, a psychological practice (nurture), can lead to structural changes in the brain (nature). Specifically, increases in gray matter density in certain brain regions were observed, suggesting that regular meditation practices can result in biological alterations. Showing that nurture can have a tangible impact on nature. This finding empahsies the interplay between psychological experiences and biological structures.