Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | John D Agee |
Author | Sharon Danoff-Burg |
Author | Christoffer A Grant |
Abstract | This study sought to compare a five-week mindfulness meditation (MM) course to a five-week course that taught progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Forty-three adults from the community were randomly assigned to either MM (n = 19) or PMR (n = 24) courses after responding to flyers and other advertisements for a free stress management course. Mindfulness meditation participants practiced meditation significantly more often than PMR participants practiced relaxation during the intervention period (F[1, 43] = 7.42; P < .05). Interestingly, the two conditions did not differ significantly in their posttreatment levels of relaxation or mindfulness. Although there were no differences between groups on any of the primary outcome measures, across both treatment conditions there were statistically significant reductions from pretreatment to posttreatment in general psychological distress. Thus, although MM did not emerge as clearly superior to PMR, results of this study suggest that a brief mindfulness skills course may be effective for stress management. |
Publication | Explore (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 5 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 104-109 |
Date | 2009 Mar-Apr |
Journal Abbr | Explore (NY) |
DOI | 10.1016/j.explore.2008.12.004 |
ISSN | 1550-8307 |
Short Title | Comparing brief stress management courses in a community sample |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19272581 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:22:28 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19272581 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This study sought to compare a five-week mindfulness meditation (MM) course to a five-week course that taught progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Forty-three adults from the community were randomly assigned to either MM (n = 19) or PMR (n = 24) courses after responding to flyers and other advertisements for a free stress management course. Mindfulness meditation participants practiced meditation significantly more often than PMR participants practiced relaxation during the intervention period (F[1, 43] = 7.42; P < .05). Interestingly, the two conditions did not differ significantly in their posttreatment levels of relaxation or mindfulness. Although there were no differences between groups on any of the primary outcome measures, across both treatment conditions there were statistically significant reductions from pretreatment to posttreatment in general psychological distress. Thus, although MM did not emerge as clearly superior to PMR, results of this study suggest that a brief mindfulness skills course may be effective for stress management.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Albert J Arias |
Author | Karen Steinberg |
Author | Alok Banga |
Author | Robert L Trestman |
Abstract | Meditative techniques are sought frequently by patients coping with medical and psychological problems. Because of their increasingly widespread appeal and use, and the potential for use as medical therapies, a concise and thorough review of the current state of scientific knowledge of these practices as medical interventions was conducted. PURPOSE: To systematically review the evidence supporting efficacy and safety of meditative practices in treating illnesses, and examine areas warranting further study. Studies on normal healthy populations are not included. METHODS: Searches were performed using PubMed, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Database. Keywords were Meditation, Meditative Prayer, Yoga, Relaxation Response. Qualifying studies were reviewed and independently rated based on quality by two reviewers. Mid-to-high-quality studies (those scoring above 0.65 or 65% on a validated research quality scale) were included. RESULTS: From a total of 82 identified studies, 20 randomized controlled trials met our criteria. The studies included 958 subjects total (397 experimentally treated, 561 controls). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the included or excluded clinical trials. Serious adverse events are reported in the medical literature, though rare. The strongest evidence for efficacy was found for epilepsy, symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms. Benefit was also demonstrated for mood and anxiety disorders, autoimmune illness, and emotional disturbance in neoplastic disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the safety and potential efficacy of meditative practices for treating certain illnesses, particularly in nonpsychotic mood and anxiety disorders. Clear and reproducible evidence supporting efficacy from large, methodologically sound studies is lacking. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 12 |
Issue | 8 |
Pages | 817-832 |
Date | Oct 2006 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2006.12.817 |
ISSN | 1075-5535 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17034289 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 5 13:03:49 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 17034289 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Meditative techniques are sought frequently by patients coping with medical and psychological problems. Because of their increasingly widespread appeal and use, and the potential for use as medical therapies, a concise and thorough review of the current state of scientific knowledge of these practices as medical interventions was conducted. Purpose: To systematically review the evidence supporting efficacy and safety of meditative practices in treating illnesses, and examine areas warranting further study. Studies on normal healthy populations are not included. Methods: Searches were performed using PubMed, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Database. Keywords were Meditation, Meditative Prayer, Yoga, Relaxation Response. Qualifying studies were reviewed and independently rated based on quality by two reviewers. Mid-to-high-quality studies (those scoring above 0.65 or 65% on a validated research quality scale) were included. Results: From a total of 82 identified studies, 20 randomized controlled trials met our criteria. The studies included 958 subjects total (397 experimentally treated, 561 controls). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the included or excluded clinical trials. Serious adverse events are reported in the medical literature, though rare. The strongest evidence for efficacy was found for epilepsy, symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms. Benefit was also demonstrated for mood and anxiety disorders, autoimmune illness, and emotional disturbance in neoplastic disease. Conclusions: The results support the safety and potential efficacy of meditative practices for treating certain illnesses, particularly in nonpsychotic mood and anxiety disorders. Clear and reproducible evidence supporting efficacy from large, methodologically sound studies is lacking.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Liora Birnbaum |
Author | Aiton Birnbaum |
Abstract | Spiritual concerns are highly relevant, but often ignored, in psychotherapy in general and in suicide in particular. This article presents Internet data and clinical case material bearing on the topic, and describes an innovative therapeutic intervention administered in a group-workshop format with suicide survivors and mental health professionals. The technique incorporates relaxation and mindfulness meditation, with the addition of guided meditation in search of inner wisdom. Results of the group intervention are described and illustrated. Many participants reported a significant positive experience including connection to knowledge that was highly relevant to them in their current state of life. Whether such insights were experienced as coming from within (a deeper part of the self) or from an external source (a guiding figure or presence), indications are that guided meditation can be a powerful resource for therapists and their clients, suicidal and otherwise. Possible applications in diverse populations and settings, as well as the need for further research, are discussed. |
Publication | TheScientificWorldJournal |
Volume | 4 |
Pages | 216-227 |
Date | Mar 18, 2004 |
Journal Abbr | ScientificWorldJournal |
DOI | 10.1100/tsw.2004.17 |
ISSN | 1537-744X |
Short Title | In search of inner wisdom |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15105961 |
Accessed | Fri Nov 13 12:50:37 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 15105961 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Spiritual concerns are highly relevant, but often ignored, in psychotherapy in general and in suicide in particular. This article presents Internet data and clinical case material bearing on the topic, and describes an innovative therapeutic intervention administered in a group-workshop format with suicide survivors and mental health professionals. The technique incorporates relaxation and mindfulness meditation, with the addition of guided meditation in search of inner wisdom. Results of the group intervention are described and illustrated. Many participants reported a significant positive experience including connection to knowledge that was highly relevant to them in their current state of life. Whether such insights were experienced as coming from within (a deeper part of the self) or from an external source (a guiding figure or presence), indications are that guided meditation can be a powerful resource for therapists and their clients, suicidal and otherwise. Possible applications in diverse populations and settings, as well as the need for further research, are discussed.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Kenneth Bond |
Author | Maria B. Ospina |
Author | Nicola Hooton |
Author | Liza Bialy |
Author | Donna M. Dryden |
Author | Nina Buscemi |
Author | David Shannahoff-Khalsa |
Author | Jeffrey Dusek |
Author | Linda E. Carlson |
Abstract | The authors used a 5-round Delphi study with a panel of 7 experts in meditation research to achieve agreement on a set of criteria for a working definition of "meditation" for use in a comprehensive systematic review of the therapeutic use of meditation. Participants agreed that essential to a meditation practice is its use of (a) a defined technique, (b) logic relaxation, and (c) a self-induced state. Participants also agreed that a meditation practice may (d) involve a state of psychophysical relaxation somewhere in the process; (e) use a self-focus skill or anchor; (f) involve an altered state/mode of consciousness, mystic experience, enlightenment or suspension of logical thought processes; (g) be embedded in a religious/spiritual/philosophical context; or (h) involve an experience of mental silence. The results of this study provide insight into the challenges faced by researchers who want to demarcate meditative practices from nonmeditative practices, and they describe an approach to this problem that may prove useful for researchers trying to operationalize meditation in the context of comparative research. |
Publication | Psychology of Religion and Spirituality |
Volume | 1 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 129-137 |
Date | May 2009 |
DOI | 10.1037/a0015736 |
ISSN | 1941-1022 |
Short Title | Defining a Complex Intervention |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B9846-4WKH6C3-5/2/509e26c0ce84ca65c2c2ef1f2ad57eb2 |
Accessed | Mon Mar 28 19:14:39 2011 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
The authors used a 5-round Delphi study with a panel of 7 experts in meditation research to achieve agreement on a set of criteria for a working definition of “meditation” for use in a comprehensive systematic review of the therapeutic use of meditation. Participants agreed that essential to a meditation practice is its use of (a) a defined technique, (b) logic relaxation, and (c) a self-induced state. Participants also agreed that a meditation practice may (d) involve a state of psychophysical relaxation somewhere in the process; (e) use a self-focus skill or anchor; (f) involve an altered state/mode of consciousness, mystic experience, enlightenment or suspension of logical thought processes; (g) be embedded in a religious/spiritual/philosophical context; or (h) involve an experience of mental silence. The results of this study provide insight into the challenges faced by researchers who want to demarcate meditative practices from nonmeditative practices, and they describe an approach to this problem that may prove useful for researchers trying to operationalize meditation in the context of comparative research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved). (from the journal abstract)
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Kenneth Bond |
Author | Maria B. Ospina |
Author | Nicola Hooton |
Author | Liza Bialy |
Author | Donna M. Dryden |
Author | Nina Buscemi |
Author | David Shannahoff-Khalsa |
Author | Jeffrey Dusek |
Author | Linda E. Carlson |
Abstract | The authors used a 5-round Delphi study with a panel of 7 experts in meditation research to achieve agreement on a set of criteria for a working definition of “meditation” for use in a comprehensive systematic review of the therapeutic use of meditation. Participants agreed that essential to a meditation practice is its use of (a) a defined technique, (b) logic relaxation, and (c) a self-induced state. Participants also agreed that a meditation practice may (d) involve a state of psychophysical relaxation somewhere in the process; (e) use a self-focus skill or anchor; (f) involve an altered state/mode of consciousness, mystic experience, enlightenment or suspension of logical thought processes; (g) be embedded in a religious/spiritual/philosophical context; or (h) involve an experience of mental silence. The results of this study provide insight into the challenges faced by researchers who want to demarcate meditative practices from nonmeditative practices, and they describe an approach to this problem that may prove useful for researchers trying to operationalize meditation in the context of comparative research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved). (from the journal abstract) |
Publication | Psychology of Religion and Spirituality |
Volume | 1 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 129-137 |
Date | May 2009 |
DOI | 10.1037/a0015736 |
ISSN | 1941-1022 |
Short Title | Defining a complex intervention |
URL | http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/login.aspx? direct=true&db=pdh&AN=rel-1-2-129&… |
Accessed | Sat Sep 12 18:48:12 2009 |
Library Catalog | EBSCOhost |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Type | Book |
---|---|
Author | Barry Boyce |
Author | Jon Kabat-Zinn |
Author | Daniel Siegel |
Author | Thich Nhat Hanh |
Author | Jack Kornfield |
Edition | 1 |
Publisher | Shambhala |
Date | 2011-03-08 |
ISBN | 1590308891 |
Short Title | The Mindfulness Revolution |
Library Catalog | Amazon.com |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:56:31 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:56:31 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | William C Bushell |
Abstract | A "framework" is presented for understanding empirically confirmed and unconfirmed phenomena in the Indo-Tibetan meditation system, from an integrative perspective, and providing evidence that certain meditative practices enable meditators to realize the innate human potential to perceive light "at the limits imposed by quantum mechanics," on the level of individual photons. This is part of a larger Buddhist agenda to meditatitively develop perceptual/attentional capacities to achieve penetrating insight into the nature of phenomena. Such capacities may also allow advanced meditators to perceive changes in natural scenes that are "hidden" from persons with "normal" attentional capacities, according to research on "change blindness," and to enhance their visual system functioning akin to high-speed and time-lapse photography, in toto allowing for the perception, as well as sophisticated understanding, of the "moment to moment change or impermanence" universally characteristic of the phenomenal world but normally outside untrained attention and perception according to Buddhist doctrine. |
Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1172 |
Pages | 348-361 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04960.x |
ISSN | 1749-6632 |
Short Title | New beginnings |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19735255 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:11:20 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19735255 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
A “framework” is presented for understanding empirically confirmed and unconfirmed phenomena in the Indo-Tibetan meditation system, from an integrative perspective, and providing evidence that certain meditative practices enable meditators to realize the innate human potential to perceive light “at the limits imposed by quantum mechanics,” on the level of individual photons. This is part of a larger Buddhist agenda to meditatitively develop perceptual/attentional capacities to achieve penetrating insight into the nature of phenomena. Such capacities may also allow advanced meditators to perceive changes in natural scenes that are “hidden” from persons with “normal” attentional capacities, according to research on “change blindness,” and to enhance their visual system functioning akin to high-speed and time-lapse photography, in toto allowing for the perception, as well as sophisticated understanding, of the “moment to moment change or impermanence” universally characteristic of the phenomenal world but normally outside untrained attention and perception according to Buddhist doctrine.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Roberto Cardoso |
Author | Eduardo de Souza |
Author | Luiz Camano |
Author | José Roberto Leite |
Abstract | Despite its evergrowing use in health-related areas, procedures characterized as meditation have been little or not at all defined operationally, which hinders its use in a standardized manner. In the present study, the authors present a possible operational definition of meditation, which has been used in social and academic projects, developed in Universidade Federal de São Paulo. In this proposal, it is emphasized that, in order to be characterized as meditation, the procedure should encompass the following requirements: (1) the use of a specific technique (clearly defined), (2) muscle relaxation in some moment of the process and (3) "logic relaxation"; (4) it must necessarily be a self-induced state, and (5) use of "self-focus" skill (coined "anchor"). |
Publication | Brain Research Protocols |
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 58-60 |
Date | November 2004 |
Journal Abbr | Brain Res Protoc |
DOI | 10.1016/j.brainresprot.2004.09.002 |
ISSN | 1385-299X |
Short Title | Meditation in health |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T3N-4DKD49T-1/2/572fd518abb03915019c37a5a1ab20a8 |
Accessed | Tue Sep 1 21:50:59 2009 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Despite its evergrowing use in health-related areas, procedures characterized as meditation have been little or not at all defined operationally, which hinders its use in a standardized manner. In the present study, the authors present a possible operational definition of meditation, which has been used in social and academic projects, developed in Universidade Federal de São Paulo. In this proposal, it is emphasized that, in order to be characterized as meditation, the procedure should encompass the following requirements: (1) the use of a specific technique (clearly defined), (2) muscle relaxation in some moment of the process and (3) “logic relaxation”; (4) it must necessarily be a self-induced state, and (5) use of “self-focus” skill (coined “anchor”).
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | James Carmody |
Author | Ruth A Baer |
Author | Emily L B Lykins |
Author | Nicholas Olendzki |
Abstract | S. L. Shapiro and colleagues (2006) have described a testable theory of the mechanisms of mindfulness and how it affects positive change. They describe a model in which mindfulness training leads to a fundamental change in relationship to experience (reperceiving), which leads to changes in self-regulation, values clarification, cognitive and behavioral flexibility, and exposure. These four variables, in turn, result in salutogenic outcomes. Analyses of responses from participants in a mindfulness-based stress-reduction program did not support the mediating effect of changes in reperceiving on the relationship of mindfulness with those four variables. However, when mindfulness and reperceiving scores were combined, partial support was found for the mediating effect of the four variables on measures of psychological distress. Issues arising in attempts to test the proposed theory are discussed, including the description of the model variables and the challenges to their assessment. |
Publication | Journal of Clinical Psychology |
Volume | 65 |
Issue | 6 |
Pages | 613-626 |
Date | Jun 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Clin Psychol |
DOI | 10.1002/jclp.20579 |
ISSN | 1097-4679 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19267330 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:17:34 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19267330 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
S. L. Shapiro and colleagues (2006) have described a testable theory of the mechanisms of mindfulness and how it affects positive change. They describe a model in which mindfulness training leads to a fundamental change in relationship to experience (reperceiving), which leads to changes in self-regulation, values clarification, cognitive and behavioral flexibility, and exposure. These four variables, in turn, result in salutogenic outcomes. Analyses of responses from participants in a mindfulness-based stress-reduction program did not support the mediating effect of changes in reperceiving on the relationship of mindfulness with those four variables. However, when mindfulness and reperceiving scores were combined, partial support was found for the mediating effect of the four variables on measures of psychological distress. Issues arising in attempts to test the proposed theory are discussed, including the description of the model variables and the challenges to their assessment.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | James W Carson |
Author | Francis J Keefe |
Author | Thomas R Lynch |
Author | Kimberly M Carson |
Author | Veeraindar Goli |
Author | Anne Marie Fras |
Author | Steven R Thorp |
Abstract | PURPOSE: Loving-kindness meditation has been used for centuries in the Buddhist tradition to develop love and transform anger into compassion. This pilot study tested an 8-week loving-kindness program for chronic low back pain patients. METHOD: Patients (N = 43) were randomly assigned to the intervention or standard care. Standardized measures assessed patients' pain, anger, and psychological distress. FINDINGS: Post and follow-up analyses showed significant improvements in pain and psychological distress in the loving-kindness group, but no changes in the usual care group. Multilevel analyses of daily data showed that more loving-kindness practice on a given day was related to lower pain that day and lower anger the next day. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that the loving-kindness program can be beneficial in reducing pain, anger, and psychological distress in patients with persistent low back pain. IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians may find loving-kindness meditation helpful in the treatment of patients with persistent pain. |
Publication | Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association |
Volume | 23 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 287-304 |
Date | Sep 2005 |
Journal Abbr | J Holist Nurs |
DOI | 10.1177/0898010105277651 |
ISSN | 0898-0101 |
Short Title | Loving-kindness meditation for chronic low back pain |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16049118 |
Accessed | Fri Nov 13 15:19:40 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 16049118 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Purpose: Loving-kindness meditation has been used for centuries in the Buddhist tradition to develop love and transform anger into compassion. This pilot study tested an 8-week loving-kindness program for chronic low back pain patients. Method: Patients (N = 43) were randomly assigned to the intervention or standard care. Standardized measures assessed patients’ pain, anger, and psychological distress. Findings: Post and follow-up analyses showed significant improvements in pain and psychological distress in the loving-kindness group, but no changes in the usual care group. Multilevel analyses of daily data showed that more loving-kindness practice on a given day was related to lower pain that day and lower anger the next day. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest that the loving-kindness program can be beneficial in reducing pain, anger, and psychological distress in patients with persistent low back pain. Implications: Clinicians may find loving-kindness meditation helpful in the treatment of patients with persistent pain.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Debbie L Cohen |
Author | Nancy Wintering |
Author | Victoria Tolles |
Author | Raymond R Townsend |
Author | John T Farrar |
Author | Mary Lou Galantino |
Author | Andrew B Newberg |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Experienced practitioners of yoga have been shown to alter brain function, but this case series measured cerebral blood flow before and after a 12-week training program in Iyengar yoga (IY) for naïve subjects. METHODS: On the first day, each of the 4 subjects listened to the teacher speaking on the history and background of the yoga program while they were injected with 250 MBq of (99m)Tc-bicisate and received a single photon emission computed tomography scan (pre-program baseline). Subjects then had their first IY training and were injected and scanned with 925 MBq bicisate while they did their first meditation (pre-program meditation). Subjects then underwent a 12-week training program in IY and then underwent the same imaging protocol with a postprogram baseline and postprogram meditation scan. Baseline and meditation scans, before and after training, were compared using paired t tests. RESULTS: There were significant decreases (p < 0.05) between the pre- and postprogram baseline scans in the right amygdala, dorsal medial cortex, and sensorimotor area. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the pre- and postprogram percentage change (i.e., activation) in the right dorsal medial frontal lobe, prefrontal cortex, and right sensorimotor cortex. CONCLUSIONS: These initial findings suggest the brain experiences a "training effect" after 12 weeks of IY training. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 15 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 9-14 |
Date | Jan 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2008.0008 |
ISSN | 1557-7708 |
Short Title | Cerebral blood flow effects of yoga training |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19769471 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 16:27:26 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19769471 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Objectives Experienced practitioners of yoga have been shown to alter brain function, but this case series measured cerebral blood flow before and after a 12-week training program in Iyengar yoga (IY) for naïve subjects. Methods: On the first day, each of the 4 subjects listened to the teacher speaking on the history and background of the yoga program while they were injected with 250 MBq of (99m)Tc-bicisate and received a single photon emission computed tomography scan (pre-program baseline). Subjects then had their first IY training and were injected and scanned with 925 MBq bicisate while they did their first meditation (pre-program meditation). Subjects then underwent a 12-week training program in IY and then underwent the same imaging protocol with a postprogram baseline and postprogram meditation scan. Baseline and meditation scans, before and after training, were compared using paired t tests. Results: There were significant decreases (p < 0.05) between the pre- and postprogram baseline scans in the right amygdala, dorsal medial cortex, and sensorimotor area. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the pre- and postprogram percentage change (i.e., activation) in the right dorsal medial frontal lobe, prefrontal cortex, and right sensorimotor cortex. Conclusions: These initial findings suggest the brain experiences a “training effect” after 12 weeks of IY training.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Carlo C. DiClemente |
Abstract | In this article, the author discusses the study which examines the effectiveness of transcendental meditation mindfulness training to treat patients with behavioral and emotional problems. It states that rumination and stress management are the key factors that help depression people and substance abuse disorders to respond brain activation using generic self-regulatory operations. Moreover, neurologists explained that approach would lower pain sensitivity in the brain. |
Publication | Addiction |
Volume | 105 |
Issue | 10 |
Pages | 1707-1708 |
Date | October 2010 |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03013.x |
ISSN | 09652140 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:59:59 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:59:59 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Elissa Epel |
Author | Jennifer Daubenmier |
Author | Judith Tedlie Moskowitz |
Author | Susan Folkman |
Author | Elizabeth Blackburn |
Abstract | Understanding the malleable determinants of cellular aging is critical to understanding human longevity. Telomeres may provide a pathway for exploring this question. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. The length of telomeres offers insight into mitotic cell and possibly organismal longevity. Telomere length has now been linked to chronic stress exposure and depression. This raises the question of mechanism: How might cellular aging be modulated by psychological functioning? We consider two psychological processes or states that are in opposition to one another-threat cognition and mindfulness-and their effects on cellular aging. Psychological stress cognitions, particularly appraisals of threat and ruminative thoughts, can lead to prolonged states of reactivity. In contrast, mindfulness meditation techniques appear to shift cognitive appraisals from threat to challenge, decrease ruminative thought, and reduce stress arousal. Mindfulness may also directly increase positive arousal states. We review data linking telomere length to cognitive stress and stress arousal and present new data linking cognitive appraisal to telomere length. Given the pattern of associations revealed so far, we propose that some forms of meditation may have salutary effects on telomere length by reducing cognitive stress and stress arousal and increasing positive states of mind and hormonal factors that may promote telomere maintenance. Aspects of this model are currently being tested in ongoing trials of mindfulness meditation. |
Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1172 |
Pages | 34-53 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04414.x |
ISSN | 1749-6632 |
Short Title | Can meditation slow rate of cellular aging? |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19735238 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:11:55 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19735238 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Understanding the malleable determinants of cellular aging is critical to understanding human longevity. Telomeres may provide a pathway for exploring this question. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. The length of telomeres offers insight into mitotic cell and possibly organismal longevity. Telomere length has now been linked to chronic stress exposure and depression. This raises the question of mechanism: How might cellular aging be modulated by psychological functioning? We consider two psychological processes or states that are in opposition to one another-threat cognition and mindfulness-and their effects on cellular aging. Psychological stress cognitions, particularly appraisals of threat and ruminative thoughts, can lead to prolonged states of reactivity. In contrast, mindfulness meditation techniques appear to shift cognitive appraisals from threat to challenge, decrease ruminative thought, and reduce stress arousal. Mindfulness may also directly increase positive arousal states. We review data linking telomere length to cognitive stress and stress arousal and present new data linking cognitive appraisal to telomere length. Given the pattern of associations revealed so far, we propose that some forms of meditation may have salutary effects on telomere length by reducing cognitive stress and stress arousal and increasing positive states of mind and hormonal factors that may promote telomere maintenance. Aspects of this model are currently being tested in ongoing trials of mindfulness meditation.
Type | Book |
---|---|
Author | Michael Eysenck |
Author | James Walsh |
Author | Jaroslav Gera |
Edition | 1 |
Publisher | Routledge |
Date | 2011-03-15 |
ISBN | 0415414326 |
Short Title | The Psychology Of Mindfulness |
Library Catalog | Amazon.com |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:56:31 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:56:31 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Eric Garland |
Author | Susan Gaylord |
Abstract | Mindfulness is an ancient spiritual practice as well as a unique behavioral technique involving the cultivation of non-judgmental, non-reactive, metacognitive awareness of present-moment experience. Given the growing interest in mindfulness across numerous academic and clinical disciplines, an agenda is needed to guide the next wave of research. Here, we suggest four areas that, in our view, are important for a future contemplative science of mindfulness: performance-based measures of mindfulness, scientific evaluation of Buddhist claims, neurophenomenology of mindfulness, and measuring changes in mindfulness-induced gene expression. By exploring these domains, the wisdom of the meditative traditions may be complemented by leading-edge empirical research methodologies. |
Publication | Complementary Health Practice Review |
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 3-9 |
Date | Jan 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Complement Health Pract Rev |
DOI | 10.1177/1533210109333718 |
ISSN | 1533-2101 |
Short Title | Envisioning a Future Contemplative Science of Mindfulness |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20671798 |
Accessed | Mon Mar 28 18:13:46 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 20671798 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Eric Garland |
Author | Susan Gaylord |
Author | Jongbae Park |
Abstract | Mindfulness meditation is increasingly well known for therapeutic efficacy in a variety of illnesses and conditions, but its mechanism of action is still under debate in scientific circles. In this paper, we propose a hypothetical causal model that argues for the role of mindfulness in positive reappraisal coping. Positive reappraisal is a critical component of meaning-based coping that enables individuals to adapt successfully to stressful life events. Mindfulness, as a metacognitive form of awareness, involves the process of decentering, a shifting of cognitive sets that enables alternate appraisals of life events. We review the concept of positive reappraisal in transactional stress and coping theory, then describe research and traditional literature related to mindfulness and positive reappraisal, and detail the central role of mindfulness in the reappraisal process. With this understanding, we present a causal model explicating the proposed mechanism. The discussion has implications for clinical practice, suggesting how mindfulness-based integrative medicine interventions can be designed to support adaptive coping processes. |
Publication | Explore (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 5 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 37-44 |
Date | 2009 Jan-Feb |
Journal Abbr | Explore (NY) |
DOI | 10.1016/j.explore.2008.10.001 |
ISSN | 1550-8307 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19114262 |
Accessed | Mon Mar 28 18:18:24 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19114262 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Nurper Gökhan |
Author | Edward F. Meehan |
Author | Kevin Peters |
Publication | Psychological Reports |
Volume | 106 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 455-466 |
Date | 2010 |
Journal Abbr | PR |
DOI | 10.2466/PR0.106.2.455-466 |
ISSN | 0033-2941 |
URL | http://asp.ammonsscientific.com/find.php? resource=PR0.106.2.455 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Tonya L. Jacobs |
Author | Elissa S. Epel |
Author | Jue Lin |
Author | Elizabeth H. Blackburn |
Author | Owen M. Wolkowitz |
Author | David A. Bridwell |
Author | Anthony P. Zanesco |
Author | Stephen R. Aichele |
Author | Baljinder K. Sahdra |
Author | Katherine A. MacLean |
Author | Brandon G. King |
Author | Phillip R. Shaver |
Author | Erika L. Rosenberg |
Author | Emilio Ferrer |
Author | B. Alan Wallace |
Author | Clifford D. Saron |
Abstract | Background: Telomerase activity is a predictor of long-term cellular viability, which decreases with chronic psychological distress (Epel et al., 2004). Buddhist traditions claim that meditation decreases psychological distress and promotes well-being (e.g., Dalai Lama and Cutler, 2009). Therefore, we investigated the effects of a 3-month meditation retreat on telomerase activity and two major contributors to the experience of stress: Perceived Control (associated with decreased stress) and Neuroticism (associated with increased subjective distress). We used mediation models to test whether changes in Perceived Control and Neuroticism explained meditation retreat effects on telomerase activity. In addition, we investigated whether two qualities developed by meditative practice, increased Mindfulness and Purpose in Life, accounted for retreat-related changes in the two stress-related variables and in telomerase activity. Methods: Retreat participants (n = 30) meditated for ∼6h daily for 3 months and were compared with a wait-list control group (n = 30) matched for age, sex, body mass index, and prior meditation experience. Retreat participants received instruction in concentrative meditation techniques and complementary practices used to cultivate benevolent states of mind (Wallace, 2006). Psychological measures were assessed pre- and post-retreat. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples were collected post-retreat for telomerase activity. Because there were clear, a priori hypotheses, 1-tailed significance criteria were used throughout. Results: Telomerase activity was significantly greater in retreat participants than in controls at the end of the retreat (p < 0.05). Increases in Perceived Control, decreases in Neuroticism, and increases in both Mindfulness and Purpose in Life were greater in the retreat group (p < 0.01). Mediation analyses indicated that the effect of the retreat on telomerase was mediated by increased Perceived Control and decreased Neuroticism. In turn, changes in Perceived Control and Neuroticism were both partially mediated by increased Mindfulness and Purpose in Life. Additionally, increases in Purpose in Life directly mediated the telomerase group difference, whereas increases in Mindfulness did not. Conclusions: This is the first study to link meditation and positive psychological change with telomerase activity. Although we did not measure baseline telomerase activity, the data suggest that increases in perceived control and decreases in negative affectivity contributed to an increase in telomerase activity, with implications for telomere length and immune cell longevity. Further, Purpose in Life is influenced by meditative practice and directly affects both perceived control and negative emotionality, affecting telomerase activity directly as well as indirectly. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract) |
Publication | Psychoneuroendocrinology |
Volume | 36 |
Issue | 5 |
Pages | 664-681 |
Date | June 2011 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.09.010 |
ISSN | 0306-4530 |
Library Catalog | EBSCOhost |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:54:25 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:54:25 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Peter J. Jankowski |
Author | Steven J. Sandage |
Abstract | The present study tested a theoretical model of the relationship between meditative prayer and interpersonal forgiveness with hope and adult attachment as mediator variables. Results supported the proposed multiple mediation model as determined by multiple measures of model fit with the data. Significant direct effects were observed between meditative prayer and hope, hope and adult attachment, and adult attachment and forgiveness. A significant total indirect effect was found between meditative prayer and forgiveness. A significant specific indirect effect was also observed between meditative prayer and adult attachment with hope as the mediator, and between hope and forgiveness with adult attachment as a mediator. The concept of affect regulation is proposed as a possible unifying mechanism of the variables in the proposed model and implications are discussed in terms of existing literature and promoting interpersonal forgiveness in counseling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved). (from the journal abstract) |
Publication | Psychology of Religion and Spirituality |
Volume | 3 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 115-131 |
Date | May 2011 |
DOI | 10.1037/a0021601 |
ISSN | 1941-1022 |
Short Title | Meditative prayer, hope, adult attachment, and forgiveness |
Library Catalog | EBSCOhost |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:55:16 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:55:16 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Harinder Jaseja |
Abstract | Meditation is a mental exercise practiced widely as an antistress measure and in the belief that it possesses remedial efficacy for a number of medical ailments, especially neurological disorders. Further, there is a general belief that meditation is an absolutely safe practice devoid of any harmful effects. However, with the advent of neuroimaging techniques, the possibility of adverse effects has been raised in recent times. One such issue that has been debated is the potential epileptogenic versus antiepileptic influence exerted by meditation. This brief article attempts to study the potential role of meditation-induced EEG fast oscillations in the predisposition to seizures in meditation practitioners with epilepsy. |
Publication | Epilepsy & Behavior |
Volume | 17 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 124-125 |
Date | January 2010 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.10.022 |
ISSN | 1525-5050 |
Accessed | Fri Jan 29 12:39:37 2010 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:02 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:02 2011 |
Type | Thesis |
---|---|
Author | A. A Joshi |
University | University of Oregon |
Date | 2007 |
Short Title | Effects of Meditation Training on Attentional Networks |
Library Catalog | Google Scholar |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Catherine E Kerr |
Author | Krishnapriya Josyula |
Author | Ronnie Littenberg |
Abstract | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an 8-week training that is designed to teach participants mindful awareness of the present moment. In randomized clinical trials (RCTs), MBSR has demonstrated efficacy in various conditions including reducing chronic pain-related distress and improving quality of life in healthy individuals. There have, however, been no qualitative studies investigating participants' descriptions of changes experienced over multiple time points during the course of the programme. This qualitative study of an MBSR cohort (N = 8 healthy individuals) in a larger RCT examined participants' daily diary descriptions of their home-practice experiences. The study used a two-part method, combining grounded theory with a close-ended coding approach. The grounded theory analysis revealed that during the trial, all participants, to varying degrees, described moments of distress related to practice; at the end of the course, all participants who completed the training demonstrated greater detail and clarity in their descriptions, improved affect, and the emergence of an observing self. The closed-ended coding schema, carried out to shed light on the development of an observing self, revealed that the emergence of an observing self was not related to the valence of participants' experiential descriptions: even participants whose diaries contained predominantly negative characterizations of their experience throughout the trial were able, by the end of the trial, to demonstrate an observing, witnessing attitude towards their own distress. Progress in MBSR may rely less on the valence of participants' experiences and more on the way participants describe and relate to their own inner experience. |
Publication | Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy |
Volume | 18 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 80-93 |
Date | Jan 2011 |
Journal Abbr | Clin Psychol Psychother |
DOI | 10.1002/cpp.700 |
ISSN | 1099-0879 |
Short Title | Developing an observing attitude |
Accessed | Sun Feb 13 10:34:23 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 21226129 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:57:52 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:57:52 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Maryanna D Klatt |
Author | Janet Buckworth |
Author | William B Malarkey |
Abstract | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has produced behavioral, psychological, and physiological benefits, but these programs typically require a substantial time commitment from the participants. This study assessed the effects of a shortened (low-dose [ld]) work-site MBSR intervention (MBSR-ld) on indicators of stress in healthy working adults to determine if results similar to those obtained in traditional MBSR could be demonstrated. Participants were randomized into MBSR-ld and wait-list control groups. Self-reported perceived stress, sleep quality, and mindfulness were measured at the beginning and end of the 6-week intervention. Salivary cortisol was assessed weekly. Significant reductions in perceived stress (p = .0025) and increases in mindfulness (p = .0149) were obtained for only the MBSR-ld group (n = 22). Scores on the global measure of sleep improved for the MBSR-ld group (p = .0018) as well as for the control group (p = .0072; n = 20). Implications and future research are discussed. |
Publication | Health Education & Behavior: The Official Publication of the Society for Public Health Education |
Volume | 36 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 601-614 |
Date | Jun 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Health Educ Behav |
DOI | 10.1177/1090198108317627 |
ISSN | 1090-1981 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/18469160 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:16:42 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 18469160 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has produced behavioral, psychological, and physiological benefits, but these programs typically require a substantial time commitment from the participants. This study assessed the effects of a shortened (low-dose [ld]) work-site MBSR intervention (MBSR-ld) on indicators of stress in healthy working adults to determine if results similar to those obtained in traditional MBSR could be demonstrated. Participants were randomized into MBSR-ld and wait-list control groups. Self-reported perceived stress, sleep quality, and mindfulness were measured at the beginning and end of the 6-week intervention. Salivary cortisol was assessed weekly. Significant reductions in perceived stress (p = .0025) and increases in mindfulness (p = .0149) were obtained for only the MBSR-ld group (n = 22). Scores on the global measure of sleep improved for the MBSR-ld group (p = .0018) as well as for the control group (p = .0072; n = 20). Implications and future research are discussed.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | James D. Lane |
Author | Jon E. Seskevich |
Author | Carl F. Pieper |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To test a brief, non-sectarian program of meditation training for effects on perceived stress and negative emotion, and to determine effects of practice frequency and test the moderating effects of neuroticism (emotional lability) on treatment outcome. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study used a single-group, open-label, pre-test post-test design conducted in the setting of a university medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy adults (N=200) interested in learning meditation for stress-reduction were enrolled. One hundred thirty-three (76% females) completed at least 1 follow-up visit and were included in data analyses. INTERVENTION: Participants learned a simple mantra-based meditation technique in 4, 1-hour small-group meetings, with instructions to practice for 15-20 minutes twice daily. Instruction was based on a psychophysiological model of meditation practice and its expected effects on stress. OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline and monthly follow-up measures of Profile of Mood States; Perceived Stress Scale; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI); and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Practice frequency was indexed by monthly retrospective ratings. Neuroticism was evaluated as a potential moderator of treatment effects. RESULTS: All 4 outcome measures improved significantly after instruction, with reductions from baseline that ranged from 14% (STAI) to 36% (BSI). More frequent practice was associated with better outcome. Higher baseline neuroticism scores were associated with greater improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary evidence suggests that even brief instruction in a simple meditation technique can improve negative mood and perceived stress in healthy adults, which could yield long-term health benefits. Frequency of practice does affect outcome. Those most likely to experience negative emotions may benefit the most from the intervention. |
Publication | Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine |
Volume | 13 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 38-44 |
Date | 2007-01 |
ISSN | 1078-6791 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Objectives To test a brief, non-sectarian program of meditation training for effects on perceived stress and negative emotion, and to determine effects of practice frequency and test the moderating effects of neuroticism (emotional lability) on treatment outcome. DESIGN AND Setting: The study used a single-group, open-label, pre-test post-test design conducted in the setting of a university medical center. Patricipants: Healthy adults (N=200) interested in learning meditation for stress-reduction were enrolled. One hundred thirty-three (76% females) completed at least 1 follow-up visit and were included in data analyses. INTERVENTION: Participants learned a simple mantra-based meditation technique in 4, 1-hour small-group meetings, with instructions to practice for 15-20 minutes twice daily. Instruction was based on a psychophysiological model of meditation practice and its expected effects on stress. Outcome measures: Baseline and monthly follow-up measures of Profile of Mood States; Perceived Stress Scale; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI); and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Practice frequency was indexed by monthly retrospective ratings. Neuroticism was evaluated as a potential moderator of treatment effects. Results: All 4 outcome measures improved significantly after instruction, with reductions from baseline that ranged from 14% (STAI) to 36% (BSI). More frequent practice was associated with better outcome. Higher baseline neuroticism scores were associated with greater improvement. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that even brief instruction in a simple meditation technique can improve negative mood and perceived stress in healthy adults, which could yield long-term health benefits. Frequency of practice does affect outcome. Those most likely to experience negative emotions may benefit the most from the intervention.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Linda Larkey |
Author | Roger Jahnke |
Author | Jennifer Etnier |
Author | Julie Gonzalez |
Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Meditative Movement (MM) is proposed as a new category of exercise defined by (a) some form of movement or body positioning, (b) a focus on breathing, and (c) a cleared or calm state of mind with a goal of (d) deep states of relaxation. REVIEW: Two forms of exercise meeting this definition, Qigong and Tai Chi, are reviewed to examine health benefits found in the research literature, recap elements that should be assessed in MM research, and suggest where aspects of MM intersect with, and are distinguished from, conventional forms of exercise. RESULTS: Relevant dimensions of the key elements of MM, such as frequency, duration, type of movement, degree of exertion, description of breathing, and achievement of relaxed state are recommended to be clearly described and measured to consistently define the category across studies and clarify how MM may affect health outcomes in similar, and perhaps different, ways than conventional exercise. CONCLUSIONS: If these suggested standards are used, we will gain a better understanding of which elements are necessary for achieving targeted outcomes. Over time, as MM is studied as a category of exercise, research may progress more efficiently to define the domains of physiological and psychological benefit. |
Publication | Journal of Physical Activity & Health |
Volume | 6 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 230-238 |
Date | Mar 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Phys Act Health |
ISSN | 1543-3080 |
Short Title | Meditative movement as a category of exercise |
Accessed | Tue Feb 22 19:12:08 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19420401 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Christina F Lavallee |
Author | Stanley A Koren |
Author | Michael A Persinger |
Abstract | Abstract Objectives: The study objective was to determine the quantitative electroencephalographic correlates of meditation, as well as the effects of hindering (15 Hz) and facilitative (7 Hz) binaural beats on the meditative process. Design: The study was a mixed design, with experience of the subject as the primary between-subject measure and power of the six classic frequency bands (δ, θ, low α, high α, β, γ), neocortical lobe (frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital), hemisphere (left, right), and condition (meditation only, meditation with 7-Hz beats, meditation with 15-Hz beats) as the within-subject measures. Location: The study was conducted at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Subjects: The subjects comprised novice (mean of 8 months experience) and experienced (mean of 18 years experience) meditators recruited from local meditation groups. Intervention: Experimental manipulation included application of hindering and facilitative binaural beats to the meditative process. Results: Experienced meditators displayed increased left temporal lobe δ power when the facilitative binaural beats were applied, whereas the effect was not observed for the novice subjects in this condition. When the hindering binaural beats were introduced, the novice subjects consistently displayed more γ power than the experienced subjects over the course of their meditation, relative to baseline. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, novice meditators were not able to maintain certain levels of θ power in the occipital regions when hindering binaural beats were presented, whereas when the facilitative binaural beats were presented, the experienced meditators displayed increased θ power in the left temporal lobe. These results suggest that the experienced meditators have developed techniques over the course of their meditation practice to counter hindering environmental stimuli, whereas the novice meditators have not yet developed those techniques. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 17 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 351-355 |
Date | Apr 2011 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2009.0691 |
ISSN | 1557-7708 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21480784 |
Accessed | Mon May 9 19:02:13 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 21480784 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:55:31 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:55:31 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | C-H Liou |
Author | C-H Hsieh |
Author | C-W Hsieh |
Author | C-H Wang |
Author | S-C Lee |
Author | J-H Chen |
Abstract | Introduction The mechanism why meditation improves people's health remains unclear. Since different meditations may activate different regions in brain, we can use fMRI to investigate it. Chinese original quiet sitting (COQS) is mainly one kind of traditional Chinese meditation. It is composed of two different parts: a short period of keeping phrase and receiving cosmic Qi energy (named “Invitation of Primordial Qi”: IPQ), and a long period of relaxation with no further action (named “Allow its Natural Workings”: ANW). Chen had studied it by EEG [1]. We also had a previous study by fMRI [2-3]. In this paper, we want to study the brain activation area during the ANW state. Methods One special kind of paradigm was designed to find the BOLD signals during the ANW periods. It consisted of three parts: 3-minutes of control state, followed by 3-minutes of IPQ state, and then 9-minutes of ANW state. Total scan time was 15-minutes. Seventeen well-trained subjects with seven females and ten males participated in this fMRI study. Their mean age was 47.5 ± 2.9 (Mean ± SEM, 32not, vert, similar70) with meditation experience 12.4 ± 1.4 (4not, vert, similar21) years. Their regularly mean practice times every day was about 1.3 ± 0.1 (1not, vert, similar3) with mean practice duration 53.8 ± 5.5 (30not, vert, similar120) minutes each time. Experiments were performed on Bruker MEDSPEC 3T system (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany). Images were acquired using gradient-echo EPI with matrix size 128×128, TE 35ms, and TR 6000ms. All experiments had 12 continuous slices (slice thickness=7mm), FOV 30×30cm2. Data were analyzed by random effect analysis in SPM. Results Our results showed that (with p<0.05, T>1.75, degree of freedom=16, and number of clusters>25), during the ANW period, certain brain regions showed negative activation, such as (showed in Talairach pick and T-value): dACC (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, 4,42,12, T= −5.89), superior frontal gyrus (−22,44,22, T= −4.83), caudate body (−6,12,14, T= −2.60), amygdala (26,-12,-28, T= −5.07, −30,-8,-30, T= −4.69), superior temporal gyrus (68,-24,6, T= −4.10, −50,-42,6, T= −4.53) and cuneus (−22,-96,-2, T= −4.51). Other regions showed positive activation, such as: vACC (ventral anterior cingulate cortex, -6,22,-4, T=4.51), declive (−6,-56,-16, T=2.89), culmen (−6,-54,-16, T=2.74), thalamus (4,-8,10, T=2.57) and hypothalamus (−4,6,-24, T=2.38). Conclusions During the COQS-ANW state, the activity of cognition, self-awareness, sensation and the memory system of the body seemed all “calming down”. Lacking of the emotional event and the physical activity, amygdala might show negative activation. The more profound signification of all these negative activation regions still need further study. The positive activation regions showed special physiological meanings. Hypothalamus is a collecting center for information concerned with the internal well-being of the body. Much of this information is used to control secretions of the many globally important pituitary hormones [4]. VACC may involve in the regulation of mental and emotional activities. Thalamus may regulate the autonomic and visceral functions, motor systems and sensory systems. The activation of declive and culmen in cerebellum may be involved in the subtle regulation of motor functions. |
Publication | NeuroImage |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | Supplement 1 |
Pages | S156 |
Date | July 2009 |
DOI | 10.1016/S1053-8119(09)71628-3 |
ISSN | 1053-8119 |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/science/article/B6WNP-4X3PHYG-224/2/25a156de836269f31795d1ce23d6c055 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 18:36:58 2009 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Introduction: The mechanism why meditation improves people’s health remains unclear. Since different meditations may activate different regions in brain, we can use fMRI to investigate it. Chinese original quiet sitting (COQS) is mainly one kind of traditional Chinese meditation. It is composed of two different parts: a short period of keeping phrase and receiving cosmic Qi energy (named “Invitation of Primordial Qi”: IPQ), and a long period of relaxation with no further action (named “Allow its Natural Workings”: ANW). Chen had studied it by EEG [1]. We also had a previous study by fMRI [2-3]. In this paper, we want to study the brain activation area during the ANW state. Methods: One special kind of paradigm was designed to find the BOLD signals during the ANW periods. It consisted of three parts: 3-minutes of control state, followed by 3-minutes of IPQ state, and then 9-minutes of ANW state. Total scan time was 15-minutes. Seventeen well-trained subjects with seven females and ten males participated in this fMRI study. Their mean age was 47.5 ± 2.9 (Mean ± SEM, 32not, vert, similar70) with meditation experience 12.4 ± 1.4 (4not, vert, similar21) years. Their regularly mean practice times every day was about 1.3 ± 0.1 (1not, vert, similar3) with mean practice duration 53.8 ± 5.5 (30not, vert, similar120) minutes each time. Experiments were performed on Bruker MEDSPEC 3T system (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany). Images were acquired using gradient-echo EPI with matrix size 128×128, TE 35ms, and TR 6000ms. All experiments had 12 continuous slices (slice thickness=7mm), FOV 30×30cm2. Data were analyzed by random effect analysis in SPM. Results: Our results showed that (with p<0.05, T>1.75, degree of freedom=16, and number of clusters>25), during the ANW period, certain brain regions showed negative activation, such as (showed in Talairach pick and T-value): dACC (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, 4,42,12, T= −5.89), superior frontal gyrus (−22,44,22, T= −4.83), caudate body (−6,12,14, T= −2.60), amygdala (26,-12,-28, T= −5.07, −30,-8,-30, T= −4.69), superior temporal gyrus (68,-24,6, T= −4.10, −50,-42,6, T= −4.53) and cuneus (−22,-96,-2, T= −4.51). Other regions showed positive activation, such as: vACC (ventral anterior cingulate cortex, -6,22,-4, T=4.51), declive (−6,-56,-16, T=2.89), culmen (−6,-54,-16, T=2.74), thalamus (4,-8,10, T=2.57) and hypothalamus (−4,6,-24, T=2.38). Conclusions: During the COQS-ANW state, the activity of cognition, self-awareness, sensation and the memory system of the body seemed all “calming down”. Lacking of the emotional event and the physical activity, amygdala might show negative activation. The more profound signification of all these negative activation regions still need further study. The positive activation regions showed special physiological meanings. Hypothalamus is a collecting center for information concerned with the internal well-being of the body. Much of this information is used to control secretions of the many globally important pituitary hormones [4]. VACC may involve in the regulation of mental and emotional activities. Thalamus may regulate the autonomic and visceral functions, motor systems and sensory systems. The activation of declive and culmen in cerebellum may be involved in the subtle regulation of motor functions.
Type | Book Section |
---|---|
Author | Hans C. Lou |
Author | Markus Nowak |
Author | Troels W. Kjaer |
Contributor | Steven Laureys |
Abstract | In meditation both the quality and the contents of consciousness may be voluntarily changed, making it an obvious target in the quest for the neural correlate of consciousness. Here we present the results of a positron emission tomography study of yoga nidra relaxation meditation when compared with the normal resting conscious state. Meditation is accompanied by a relatively increased perfusion in the sensory imagery system: hippocampus and sensory and higher order association regions, with decreased perfusion in the executive system: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, striatum, thalamus, pons, and cerebellum. To identify regions active in both systems we performed a principal component analysis of the results. This separated the blood flow data into two groups of regions, explaining 25 and 18% of their variance: One group corresponded to the executive system, and the other to the systems supporting sensory imagery. A small group of regions contributed considerably to both networks: medial parietal and medial prefrontal cortices, together with the striatum. The inclusion of the striatum and our subsequent finding of increased striatal dopamine binding to D2 receptors during meditation suggested dopaminergic regulation of this circuit. We then investigated the neural networks supporting episodic retrieval of judgments of individuals with different degrees of self-relevance, in the decreasing order: self, best friend, and the Danish queen. We found that all conditions activated a medial prefrontal -- precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. This activation occurred together with the activation of the left lateral prefrontal/temporal cortex. The latter was dependent on the requirement of retrieval of semantic information, being most pronounced in the "queen" condition. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, targeting precuneus, was then applied to the medial parietal region to transiently disrupt the normal function of the circuitry. We found a decreased efficiency of retrieval of self-judgment compared to the judgment of best friend. This shows that the integrity of the function of precuneus is essential for self-reference, but not for reference to others. |
Book Title | The Boundaries of Consciousness: Neurobiology and Neuropathology |
Volume | Volume 150 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Date | 2005 |
Pages | 197-204, 594 |
ISBN | 0079-6123 |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B7CV6-4H62GJY-P/2/5e96e377a6a4a212776dee0e64a7721b |
Accessed | Tue Sep 1 21:55:35 2009 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
In meditation both the quality and the contents of consciousness may be voluntarily changed, making it an obvious target in the quest for the neural correlate of consciousness. Here we present the results of a positron emission tomography study of yoga nidra relaxation meditation when compared with the normal resting conscious state. Meditation is accompanied by a relatively increased perfusion in the sensory imagery system: hippocampus and sensory and higher order association regions, with decreased perfusion in the executive system: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, striatum, thalamus, pons, and cerebellum. To identify regions active in both systems we performed a principal component analysis of the results. This separated the blood flow data into two groups of regions, explaining 25 and 18% of their variance: One group corresponded to the executive system, and the other to the systems supporting sensory imagery. A small group of regions contributed considerably to both networks: medial parietal and medial prefrontal cortices, together with the striatum. The inclusion of the striatum and our subsequent finding of increased striatal dopamine binding to D2 receptors during meditation suggested dopaminergic regulation of this circuit. We then investigated the neural networks supporting episodic retrieval of judgments of individuals with different degrees of self-relevance, in the decreasing order: self, best friend, and the Danish queen. We found that all conditions activated a medial prefrontal -- precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. This activation occurred together with the activation of the left lateral prefrontal/temporal cortex. The latter was dependent on the requirement of retrieval of semantic information, being most pronounced in the “queen” condition. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, targeting precuneus, was then applied to the medial parietal region to transiently disrupt the normal function of the circuitry. We found a decreased efficiency of retrieval of self-judgment compared to the judgment of best friend. This shows that the integrity of the function of precuneus is essential for self-reference, but not for reference to others.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | M Kathleen B Lustyk |
Author | Neharika Chawla |
Author | Roger S Nolan |
Author | G Alan Marlatt |
Abstract | Increasing interest in mindfulness meditation (MM) warrants discussion of research safety. Side effects of meditation with possible adverse reactions are reported in the literature. Yet participant screening procedures, research safety guidelines, and standards for researcher training have not been developed and disseminated in the MM field of study. The goal of this paper is to summarize safety concerns of MM practice and offer scholars some practical tools to use in their research. For example, we offer screener schematics aimed at determining the contraindication status of potential research participants. Moreover, we provide information on numerous MM training options. Ours is the first presentation of this type aimed at helping researchers think through the safety and training issues presented herein. Support for our recommendations comes from consulting 17 primary publications and 5 secondary reports/literature reviews of meditation side effects. Mental health consequences were the most frequently reported side effects, followed by physical health then spiritual health consequences. For each of these categories of potential adverse effects, we offer MM researchers methods to assess the relative risks of each as it pertains to their particular research programs. |
Publication | Advances in Mind-Body Medicine |
Volume | 24 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 20-30 |
Date | 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Adv Mind Body Med |
ISSN | 1532-1843 |
Short Title | Mindfulness meditation research |
Accessed | Tue Feb 22 19:29:57 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 20671334 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Antoine Lutz |
Author | Lawrence L Greischar |
Author | David M Perlman |
Author | Richard J Davidson |
Abstract | The brain and the cardiovascular system influence each other during the processing of emotion. The study of the interactions of these systems during emotion regulation has been limited in human functional neuroimaging, despite its potential importance for physical health. We have previously reported that mental expertise in cultivation of compassion alters the activation of circuits linked with empathy and theory of mind in response to emotional stimuli. Guided by the finding that heart rate increases more during blocks of compassion meditation than neutral states, especially for experts, we examined the interaction between state (compassion vs. neutral) and group (novice, expert) on the relation between heart rate and BOLD signal during presentation of emotional sounds presented during each state. Our findings revealed that BOLD signal in the right middle insula showed a significant association with heart rate (HR) across state and group. This association was stronger in the left middle/posterior insula when experts were compared to novices. The positive coupling of HR and BOLD was higher within the compassion state than within the neutral state in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex for both groups, underlining the role of this region in the modulation of bodily arousal states. This state effect was stronger for experts than novices in somatosensory cortices and the right inferior parietal lobule (group by state interaction). These data confirm that compassion enhances the emotional and somatosensory brain representations of others' emotions, and that this effect is modulated by expertise. Future studies are needed to further investigate the impact of compassion training on these circuits. |
Publication | NeuroImage |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 1038-1046 |
Date | Sep 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Neuroimage |
DOI | 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.04.081 |
ISSN | 1095-9572 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19426817 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:33:31 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19426817 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
The brain and the cardiovascular system influence each other during the processing of emotion. The study of the interactions of these systems during emotion regulation has been limited in human functional neuroimaging, despite its potential importance for physical health. We have previously reported that mental expertise in cultivation of compassion alters the activation of circuits linked with empathy and theory of mind in response to emotional stimuli. Guided by the finding that heart rate increases more during blocks of compassion meditation than neutral states, especially for experts, we examined the interaction between state (compassion vs. neutral) and group (novice, expert) on the relation between heart rate and BOLD signal during presentation of emotional sounds presented during each state. Our findings revealed that BOLD signal in the right middle insula showed a significant association with heart rate (HR) across state and group. This association was stronger in the left middle/posterior insula when experts were compared to novices. The positive coupling of HR and BOLD was higher within the compassion state than within the neutral state in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex for both groups, underlining the role of this region in the modulation of bodily arousal states. This state effect was stronger for experts than novices in somatosensory cortices and the right inferior parietal lobule (group by state interaction). These data confirm that compassion enhances the emotional and somatosensory brain representations of others’ emotions, and that this effect is modulated by expertise. Future studies are needed to further investigate the impact of compassion training on these circuits.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | M Ly |
Author | ML Spezio |
Abstract | Introduction Meditation practices are often purported to have beneficial consequences on one's attentional performance or on one's capacity for positive behaviors in social interactions. Meditation is defined as a self-directed practice with a goal of suspending discursive and evaluative thought. Previous research on meditation, mainly within Eastern traditions such as Buddhism, have been shown to have an effect on systems of attention (Lutz et al., 2008; Slagter et al., 2007); thus, consequently, meditation has been adopted as a significant form of mind-body intervention within clinical healthcare with promising results including decreased levels of stress, chronic pain and anxiety. However, it is not known whether these practices may influence social decision-making. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated whether neural areas that were differentially activated by meditation continued to be recruited during simple judgments involving making trustworthiness attributions from just visual facial images. Methods Using a within subjects experimental design, experienced practitioners either meditated or focused attention on an audio narrative and signaled via button press when mind wandering occurred. Subsequently, participants made trustworthiness judgments based on facial images presented for 50 milliseconds, preceded by 10 minutes of either meditating or focusing on the narrative. Results During meditation, mindfulness in contrast to mind wandering recruited a greater activation in the bilateral insula and paracingulate [Figure 1]. Mindfulness during meditation in contrast to focused listening was associated with greater activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and right precuneus [Figure 2]. Meditation prior to making trustworthiness judgments elicited increased activation in the left lateralized insula, inferofrontal gyrus and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) [Figure 3]. In contrast to focused listening, meditation was associated with a larger recruitment of the left insula, ACC, and right parietal cortex [Figure 4]. Conclusions We have shown that mindfulness during meditation recruits networks associated with attention and affective processing and in a differentially increased manner in contrast to focused listening. When compared to focused listening, meditation prior to social decision making was associated with greater recruitment of areas implicated in processing attention, emotion and interoception. These findings suggest that meditation may influence neural circuits in an enduring manner in which they may be easily recruited during social cognition. In a recent review, Craig (2009) proposed that the insula and ACC be regarded as limbic sensory and motor cortices that produce the feeling and motivation that compose an emotion. This theory is based on the dual lamina I spinothalamocortical projection to both the insula and the ACC, recruitment of both of these areas in numerous studies investigating emotion and their respective descending projections to sensory and motor brainstem regions. It is also suggested that the co-activation of the ACC and insula are associated with greater emotional and self-conscious awareness (Seeley et al., 2007; Craig, 2009). Further analyses on the functional connectivity between the insula and ACC will be conducted to further extend these findings. |
Publication | NeuroImage |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | Supplement 1 |
Pages | S194 |
Date | July 2009 |
DOI | 10.1016/S1053-8119(09)72190-1 |
ISSN | 1053-8119 |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/science/article/B6WNP-4X3PHYG-2S6/2/c29afb2ec44a0cbec39a769a5cfb1689 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 18:25:24 2009 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Introduction Meditation practices are often purported to have beneficial consequences on one’s attentional performance or on one’s capacity for positive behaviors in social interactions. Meditation is defined as a self-directed practice with a goal of suspending discursive and evaluative thought. Previous research on meditation, mainly within Eastern traditions such as Buddhism, have been shown to have an effect on systems of attention (Lutz et al., 2008; Slagter et al., 2007); thus, consequently, meditation has been adopted as a significant form of mind-body intervention within clinical healthcare with promising results including decreased levels of stress, chronic pain and anxiety. However, it is not known whether these practices may influence social decision-making. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated whether neural areas that were differentially activated by meditation continued to be recruited during simple judgments involving making trustworthiness attributions from just visual facial images. Methods: Using a within subjects experimental design, experienced practitioners either meditated or focused attention on an audio narrative and signaled via button press when mind wandering occurred. Subsequently, participants made trustworthiness judgments based on facial images presented for 50 milliseconds, preceded by 10 minutes of either meditating or focusing on the narrative. Results: During meditation, mindfulness in contrast to mind wandering recruited a greater activation in the bilateral insula and paracingulate [Figure 1]. Mindfulness during meditation in contrast to focused listening was associated with greater activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and right precuneus [Figure 2]. Meditation prior to making trustworthiness judgments elicited increased activation in the left lateralized insula, inferofrontal gyrus and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) [Figure 3]. In contrast to focused listening, meditation was associated with a larger recruitment of the left insula, ACC, and right parietal cortex [Figure 4]. Conclusions: We have shown that mindfulness during meditation recruits networks associated with attention and affective processing and in a differentially increased manner in contrast to focused listening. When compared to focused listening, meditation prior to social decision making was associated with greater recruitment of areas implicated in processing attention, emotion and interoception. These findings suggest that meditation may influence neural circuits in an enduring manner in which they may be easily recruited during social cognition. In a recent review, Craig (2009) proposed that the insula and ACC be regarded as limbic sensory and motor cortices that produce the feeling and motivation that compose an emotion. This theory is based on the dual lamina I spinothalamocortical projection to both the insula and the ACC, recruitment of both of these areas in numerous studies investigating emotion and their respective descending projections to sensory and motor brainstem regions. It is also suggested that the co-activation of the ACC and insula are associated with greater emotional and self-conscious awareness (Seeley et al., 2007; Craig, 2009). Further analyses on the functional connectivity between the insula and ACC will be conducted to further extend these findings.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Rose H. Matousek |
Author | Patricia L. Dobkin |
Author | Jens Pruessner |
Abstract | While much attention has been devoted to examining the beneficial effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs on patients' ability to cope with various chronic medical conditions, most studies have relied on self-report measures of improvement. Given that these measures may not accurately reflect physiological conditions, there is a need for an objective marker of improvement in research evaluating the beneficial effects of stress management programs. Cortisol is the major stress hormone in the human organism and as such is a promising candidate measure in the study of the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs. In conjunction with other biological measures, the use of cortisol levels as a physiological marker of stress may be useful to validate self-reported benefits attributed to this program. In the current manuscript, we review the available literature on the role of cortisol as a physiological marker for improvement with regards to mindfulness practice, and make recommendations for future study designs. |
Publication | Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 13-19 |
Date | February 2010 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.06.004 |
ISSN | 1744-3881 |
Accessed | Sat Mar 6 10:03:23 2010 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Eric E McCollum |
Author | Diane R Gehart |
Abstract | Some of the more difficult to define aspects of the therapeutic process (empathy, compassion, presence) remain some of the most important. Teaching them presents a challenge for therapist trainees and educators alike. In this study, we examine our beginning practicum students' experience of learning mindfulness meditation as a way to help them develop therapeutic presence. Through thematic analysis of their journal entries a variety of themes emerged, including the effects of meditation practice, the ability to be present, balancing being and doing modes in therapy, and the development of acceptance and compassion for themselves and for their clients. Our findings suggest that mindfulness meditation may be a useful addition to clinical training. |
Publication | Journal of Marital and Family Therapy |
Volume | 36 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 347-360 |
Date | Jul 1, 2010 |
Journal Abbr | J Marital Fam Ther |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2010.00214.x |
ISSN | 1752-0606 |
Short Title | Using mindfulness meditation to teach beginning therapists therapeutic presence |
Accessed | Tue Jul 27 11:57:18 2010 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 20618581 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
Type | Book |
---|---|
Author | Donald McCown |
Author | Diane Reibel |
Author | Marc S. Micozzi |
Place | New York |
Publisher | Springer |
Date | 2009-12-15 |
ISBN | 0387094830 |
Short Title | Teaching Mindfulness |
Library Catalog | Amazon.com |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Adam Moore |
Author | Peter Malinowski |
Abstract | This study investigated the link between meditation, self-reported mindfulness and cognitive flexibility as well as other attentional functions. It compared a group of meditators experienced in mindfulness meditation with a meditation-naïve control group on measures of Stroop interference and the "d2-concentration and endurance test". Overall the results suggest that attentional performance and cognitive flexibility are positively related to meditation practice and levels of mindfulness. Meditators performed significantly better than non-meditators on all measures of attention. Furthermore, self-reported mindfulness was higher in meditators than non-meditators and correlations with all attention measures were of moderate to high strength. This pattern of results suggests that mindfulness is intimately linked to improvements of attentional functions and cognitive flexibility. The relevance of these findings for mental balance and well-being are discussed. |
Publication | Consciousness and Cognition |
Volume | 18 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 176-186 |
Date | Mar 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Conscious Cogn |
DOI | 10.1016/j.concog.2008.12.008 |
ISSN | 1090-2376 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19181542 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:22:22 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19181542 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This study investigated the link between meditation, self-reported mindfulness and cognitive flexibility as well as other attentional functions. It compared a group of meditators experienced in mindfulness meditation with a meditation-naïve control group on measures of Stroop interference and the “d2-concentration and endurance test”. Overall the results suggest that attentional performance and cognitive flexibility are positively related to meditation practice and levels of mindfulness. Meditators performed significantly better than non-meditators on all measures of attention. Furthermore, self-reported mindfulness was higher in meditators than non-meditators and correlations with all attention measures were of moderate to high strength. This pattern of results suggests that mindfulness is intimately linked to improvements of attentional functions and cognitive flexibility. The relevance of these findings for mental balance and well-being are discussed.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Sanford I Nidich |
Author | Maxwell V Rainforth |
Author | David A F Haaga |
Author | John Hagelin |
Author | John W Salerno |
Author | Fred Travis |
Author | Melissa Tanner |
Author | Carolyn Gaylord-King |
Author | Sarina Grosswald |
Author | Robert H Schneider |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Psychological distress contributes to the development of hypertension in young adults. This trial assessed the effects of a mind-body intervention on blood pressure (BP), psychological distress, and coping in college students. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 298 university students randomly allocated to either the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program or wait-list control. At baseline and after 3 months, BP, psychological distress, and coping ability were assessed. A subgroup of 159 subjects at risk for hypertension was analyzed similarly. RESULTS: Changes in systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) for the overall sample were -2.0/-1.2 mm Hg for the TM group compared to +0.4/+0.5 mm Hg for controls (P = 0.15, P = 0.15, respectively). Changes in SBP/DBP for the hypertension risk subgroup were -5.0/-2.8 mm Hg for the TM group compared to +1.3/+1.2 mm Hg for controls (P = 0.014, P = 0.028, respectively). Significant improvements were found in total psychological distress, anxiety, depression, anger/hostility, and coping (P values < 0.05). Changes in psychological distress and coping correlated with changes in SBP (P values < 0.05) and DBP (P values < 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first RCT to demonstrate that a selected mind-body intervention, the TM program, decreased BP in association with decreased psychological distress, and increased coping in young adults at risk for hypertension. This mind-body program may reduce the risk for future development of hypertension in young adults. |
Publication | American Journal of Hypertension |
Volume | 22 |
Issue | 12 |
Pages | 1326-1331 |
Date | Dec 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Am. J. Hypertens |
DOI | 10.1038/ajh.2009.184 |
ISSN | 1879-1905 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19798037 |
Accessed | Mon Dec 28 11:55:05 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19798037 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Doug Oman |
Author | John Hedberg |
Author | Carl E Thoresen |
Abstract | The authors evaluated an 8-week, 2-hr per week training for physicians, nurses, chaplains, and other health professionals using nonsectarian, spiritually based self-management tools based on passage meditation (E. Easwaran, 1978/1991). Participants were randomized to intervention (n = 27) or waiting list (n = 31). Pretest, posttest, and 8- and 19-week follow-up data were gathered on 8 measures, including perceived stress, burnout, mental health, and psychological well-being. Aggregated across examinations, beneficial treatment effects were observed on stress (p = .0013) and mental health (p = .03). Treatment effects on stress were mediated by adherence to practices (p = .05). Stress reductions remained large at 19 weeks (84% of the pretest standard deviation, p = .006). Evidence suggests this program reduces stress and may enhance mental health. |
Publication | Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology |
Volume | 74 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 714-719 |
Date | Aug 2006 |
Journal Abbr | J Consult Clin Psychol |
DOI | 10.1037/0022-006X.74.4.714 |
ISSN | 0022-006X |
Short Title | Passage meditation reduces perceived stress in health professionals |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16881779 |
Accessed | Fri Nov 13 16:47:42 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 16881779 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
The authors evaluated an 8-week, 2-hr per week training for physicians, nurses, chaplains, and other health professionals using nonsectarian, spiritually based self-management tools based on passage meditation (E. Easwaran, 1978/1991). Participants were randomized to intervention (n = 27) or waiting list (n = 31). Pretest, posttest, and 8- and 19-week follow-up data were gathered on 8 measures, including perceived stress, burnout, mental health, and psychological well-being. Aggregated across examinations, beneficial treatment effects were observed on stress (p = .0013) and mental health (p = .03). Treatment effects on stress were mediated by adherence to practices (p = .05). Stress reductions remained large at 19 weeks (84% of the pretest standard deviation, p = .006). Evidence suggests this program reduces stress and may enhance mental health.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Thaddeus W.W. Pace |
Author | Lobsang Tenzin Negi |
Author | Teresa I. Sivilli |
Author | Michael J. Issa |
Author | Steven P. Cole |
Author | Daniel D. Adame |
Author | Charles L. Raison |
Abstract | Summary Increasing data suggest that meditation impacts stress-related physiological processes relevant to health and disease. For example, our group recently reported that the practice of compassion meditation was associated with reduced innate immune (plasma interleukin [IL]-6) and subjective distress responses to a standardized laboratory psychosocial stressor (Trier Social Stress Test [TSST]). However, because we administered a TSST after, but not prior to, meditation training in our initial study, it remained possible that associations between practice time and TSST outcomes reflected the fact that participants with reduced stress responses prior to training were more able to practice compassion meditation, rather than that meditation practice reduced stress responses. To help resolve this ambiguity, we conducted the current study to evaluate whether innate immune, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to a TSST conducted prior to compassion meditation training in an independent sample of 32 medically health young adults would predict subsequent amount of meditation practice time during a compassion meditation training protocol identical to the one used in our first study. No associations were found between responses to a TSST administered prior to compassion meditation training and subsequent amount of meditation practice, whether practice time was considered as a continuous variable or whether meditators were divided into high and low practice time groups based on a median split of mean number of practice sessions per week. These findings contrast strikingly with our original study, in which high and low practice time meditators demonstrated marked differences in IL-6 and distress responses to a TSST administered after meditation training. In addition to providing the first published data regarding stress responsivity as a potential predictor of subsequent ability/willingness to practice meditation, the current study strengthens findings from our initial work by supporting the conclusion that in individuals who actively engage in practicing the technique, compassion meditation may represent a viable strategy for reducing potentially deleterious physiological and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. |
Publication | Psychoneuroendocrinology |
Volume | 35 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 310-315 |
Date | February 2010 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.06.008 |
ISSN | 0306-4530 |
Accessed | Sat Mar 6 10:10:15 2010 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:02 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:02 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Sanjib Patra |
Author | Shirley Telles |
Abstract | Cyclic meditation (CM) is a technique that combines yoga postures interspersed with supine rest. This combination is based on ancient texts and is considered easier for beginners to practice< Whole-night polysomnographic measures and the self-rating of sleep were studied on the night following a day in which 30 male participants practiced CM twice (ca. 23 minutes each time). This was compared with another night when they had had two sessions of supine rest (SR) of equal duration on the preceding day. The sessions were one day apart and the order of the sessions was randomized. Recordings were from the F4, C4, and O2 electrode sites referenced to linked earlobes and bipolar electroculography and electromyography sites In the night following CM, the percentage of slow-wave sleep (SWS) was significantly higher than in the night following SR, whereas the percentage of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and the number of awakenings per hour were less. Following CM the self-rating of sleep based on visual analog scales showed an increase in the feeling that the sleep was refreshing, an increase in feeling "good" in the morning, an overall increase in sleep duration, and decreases in the degree to which sleep was influenced by being in a laboratory as well as any associated discomfort. Practicing cyclic meditation twice a day appeared to improve the objective and subjective quality of sleep on the following night. |
Publication | Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research |
Volume | 15 |
Issue | 7 |
Pages | CR375-381 |
Date | Jul 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Med. Sci. Monit |
ISSN | 1643-3750 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19564829 |
Accessed | Fri Feb 4 11:17:04 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19564829 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:05:38 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:05:38 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | S. Patra |
Author | S. Telles |
Abstract | Day time activities are known to influence the sleep on the following night. Cyclic meditation (CM) has recurring cycles. Previously, the low frequency (LF) power and the ratio between low frequency and high frequency (LF/HF ratio) of the heart rate variability (HRV) decreased during and after CM but not after a comparable period of supine rest (SR). In the present study, on thirty male volunteers, CM was practiced twice in the day and after this the HRV was recorded (1) while awake and (2) during 6 h of sleep (based on EEG, EMG and EGG recordings). This was similarly recorded for the night's sleep following the day time practice of SR. Participants were randomly assigned to the two sessions and all of them practiced both CM and SR on different days. During the night following day time CM practice there were the following changes; a decrease in heart rate, LF power (n.u.), LF/HF ratio, and an increase in the number of pairs of Normal to Normal RR intervals differing by more than 50 ms divided by total number of all NN intervals (pNN50) (P < 0.05, in all cases, comparing sleep following CM compared with sleep following SR). No change was seen on the night following SR. Hence yoga practice during the day appears to shift sympatho-vagal balance in favor of parasympathetic dominance during sleep on the following night. |
Publication | Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback |
Volume | 35 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 135-140 |
Date | JUN 2010 |
DOI | 10.1007/s10484-009-9114-1 |
ISSN | 1090-0586 |
Accessed | Tue Jun 15 10:50:56 2010 |
Library Catalog | ISI Web of Knowledge |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:02 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:02 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Maxwell V Rainforth |
Author | Robert H Schneider |
Author | Sanford I Nidich |
Author | Carolyn Gaylord-King |
Author | John W Salerno |
Author | James W Anderson |
Abstract | Substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous meta-analyses of stress reduction and high blood pressure (BP) were outdated and/or methodologically limited. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review of the published literature and identified 107 studies on stress reduction and BP. Seventeen trials with 23 treatment comparisons and 960 participants with elevated BP met criteria for well-designed randomized controlled trials and were replicated within intervention categories. Meta-analysis was used to calculate BP changes for biofeedback, -0.8/-2.0 mm Hg (P = NS); relaxation-assisted biofeedback, +4.3/+2.4 mm Hg (P = NS); progressive muscle relaxation, -1.9/-1.4 mm Hg (P = NS); stress management training, -2.3/-1.3 mm (P = NS); and the Transcendental Meditation program, -5.0/-2.8 mm Hg (P = 0.002/0.02). Available evidence indicates that among stress reduction approaches, the Transcendental Meditation program is associated with significant reductions in BP. Related data suggest improvements in other CVD risk factors and clinical outcomes. |
Publication | Current Hypertension Reports |
Volume | 9 |
Issue | 6 |
Pages | 520-528 |
Date | Dec 2007 |
Journal Abbr | Curr. Hypertens. Rep |
ISSN | 1522-6417 |
Short Title | Stress reduction programs in patients with elevated blood pressure |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18350109 |
Accessed | Thu Sep 3 00:55:23 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 18350109 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous meta-analyses of stress reduction and high blood pressure (BP) were outdated and/or methodologically limited. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review of the published literature and identified 107 studies on stress reduction and BP. Seventeen trials with 23 treatment comparisons and 960 participants with elevated BP met criteria for well-designed randomized controlled trials and were replicated within intervention categories. Meta-analysis was used to calculate BP changes for biofeedback, -0.8/-2.0 mm Hg (P = NS); relaxation-assisted biofeedback, +4.3/+2.4 mm Hg (P = NS); progressive muscle relaxation, -1.9/-1.4 mm Hg (P = NS); stress management training, -2.3/-1.3 mm (P = NS); and the Transcendental Meditation program, -5.0/-2.8 mm Hg (P = 0.002/0.02). Available evidence indicates that among stress reduction approaches, the Transcendental Meditation program is associated with significant reductions in BP. Related data suggest improvements in other CVD risk factors and clinical outcomes.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Heleen A Slagter |
Author | Antoine Lutz |
Author | Lawrence L Greischar |
Author | Sander Nieuwenhuis |
Author | Richard J Davidson |
Abstract | The information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is evidenced by the attentional blink-a deficit in identifying the second of two targets (T1 and T2) presented in close succession. This deficit is thought to result from an overinvestment of limited resources in T1 processing. We previously reported that intensive mental training in a style of meditation aimed at reducing elaborate object processing, reduced brain resource allocation to T1, and improved T2 accuracy [Slagter, H. A., Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Francis, A. D., Nieuwenhuis, S., Davis, J., et al. Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. PloS Biology, 5, e138, 2007]. Here we report EEG spectral analyses to examine the possibility that this reduction in elaborate T1 processing rendered the system more available to process new target information, as indexed by T2-locked phase variability. Intensive mental training was associated with decreased cross-trial variability in the phase of oscillatory theta activity after successfully detected T2s, in particular, for those individuals who showed the greatest reduction in brain resource allocation to T1. These data implicate theta phase locking in conscious target perception, and suggest that after mental training the cognitive system is more rapidly available to process new target information. Mental training was not associated with changes in the amplitude of T2-induced responses or oscillatory activity before task onset. In combination, these findings illustrate the usefulness of systematic mental training in the study of the human mind by revealing the neural mechanisms that enable the brain to successfully represent target information. |
Publication | Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience |
Volume | 21 |
Issue | 8 |
Pages | 1536-1549 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Cogn Neurosci |
DOI | 10.1162/jocn.2009.21125 |
ISSN | 0898-929X |
Short Title | Theta phase synchrony and conscious target perception |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/18823234 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:43:27 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 18823234 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
The information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is evidenced by the attentional blink-a deficit in identifying the second of two targets (T1 and T2) presented in close succession. This deficit is thought to result from an overinvestment of limited resources in T1 processing. We previously reported that intensive mental training in a style of meditation aimed at reducing elaborate object processing, reduced brain resource allocation to T1, and improved T2 accuracy [Slagter, H. A., Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Francis, A. D., Nieuwenhuis, S., Davis, J., et al. Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. PloS Biology, 5, e138, 2007]. Here we report EEG spectral analyses to examine the possibility that this reduction in elaborate T1 processing rendered the system more available to process new target information, as indexed by T2-locked phase variability. Intensive mental training was associated with decreased cross-trial variability in the phase of oscillatory theta activity after successfully detected T2s, in particular, for those individuals who showed the greatest reduction in brain resource allocation to T1. These data implicate theta phase locking in conscious target perception, and suggest that after mental training the cognitive system is more rapidly available to process new target information. Mental training was not associated with changes in the amplitude of T2-induced responses or oscillatory activity before task onset. In combination, these findings illustrate the usefulness of systematic mental training in the study of the human mind by revealing the neural mechanisms that enable the brain to successfully represent target information.
Type | Book |
---|---|
Author | Susan Smalley |
Place | Cambridge Mass. |
Publisher | Da Capo Lifelong |
Date | 2010 |
ISBN | 9780738213248 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Pailoor Subramanya |
Author | Shirley Telles |
Abstract | ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: A yoga practice involving cycles of yoga postures and supine rest (called cyclic meditation) was previously shown to improve performance in attention tasks more than relaxation in the corpse posture (shavasana). This was ascribed to reduced anxiety, though this was not assessed. METHODS: In fifty-seven male volunteers (group average age +/- S.D., 26.6 +/- 4.5 years) the immediate effect of two yoga relaxation techniques was studied on memory and state anxiety. All participants were assessed before and after (i) Cyclic meditation (CM) practiced for 22:30 minutes on one day and (ii) an equal duration of Supine rest (SR) or the corpse posture (shavasana), on another day. Sections of the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) were used to assess; (i) attention and concentration (digit span forward and backward), and (ii) associate learning. State anxiety was assessed using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the scores of all sections of the WMS studied after both CM and SR, but, the magnitude of change was more after CM compared to after SR. The state anxiety scores decreased after both CM and SR, with a greater magnitude of decrease after CM. There was no correlation between percentage change in memory scores and state anxiety for either session. CONCLUSION: A cyclical combination of yoga postures and supine rest in CM improved memory scores immediately after the practice and decreased state anxiety more than rest in a classical yoga relaxation posture (shavasana). |
Publication | BioPsychoSocial Medicine |
Volume | 3 |
Pages | 8 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Biopsychosoc Med |
DOI | 10.1186/1751-0759-3-8 |
ISSN | 1751-0759 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19674483 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:07:04 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19674483 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Background: A yoga practice involving cycles of yoga postures and supine rest (called cyclic meditation) was previously shown to improve performance in attention tasks more than relaxation in the corpse posture (shavasana). This was ascribed to reduced anxiety, though this was not assessed. Methods: In fifty-seven male volunteers (group average age +/- S.D., 26.6 +/- 4.5 years) the immediate effect of two yoga relaxation techniques was studied on memory and state anxiety. All participants were assessed before and after (i) Cyclic meditation (CM) practiced for 22:30 minutes on one day and (ii) an equal duration of Supine rest (SR) or the corpse posture (shavasana), on another day. Sections of the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) were used to assess; (i) attention and concentration (digit span forward and backward), and (ii) associate learning. State anxiety was assessed using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: There was a significant improvement in the scores of all sections of the WMS studied after both CM and SR, but, the magnitude of change was more after CM compared to after SR. The state anxiety scores decreased after both CM and SR, with a greater magnitude of decrease after CM. There was no correlation between percentage change in memory scores and state anxiety for either session. Conclusion: A cyclical combination of yoga postures and supine rest in CM improved memory scores immediately after the practice and decreased state anxiety more than rest in a classical yoga relaxation posture (shavasana).
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Pailoor Subramanya |
Author | Shirley Telles |
Abstract | Practicing meditation while focusing on a sound or a symbol influenced midlatency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEPs). Cyclic meditation (CM) is a technique combining yoga postures with meditation while supine, which has influenced the P300 event-related potential. The effects of CM on MLAEPs have not been previously studied. The MLAEPs were studied before and after the practice of CM compared to an equal duration of supine rest (SR) in 47 male volunteers (group mean age 26.5 +/- 4.4 years), recorded from the vertex referenced to linked earlobes. The sessions were one day apart and subjects were randomly assigned to each session. The Pa wave peak latency and Nb wave peak latency significantly increased following CM compared to before CM (repeated measures ANOVA, post-hoc analysis with least significant difference, p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the peak amplitude of the Nb wave (p<0.05) compared to before CM. Post SR there was a significant increase in the peak latency of the Na wave (p<0.05) compared to before SR. In conclusion following CM the latencies of neural generators corresponding to cortical areas is prolonged, whereas following SR a similar change occurs at mesencephalic-diencephalic levels. |
Publication | Clinical EEG and Neuroscience: Official Journal of the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ENCS) |
Volume | 40 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 190-195 |
Date | Jul 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Clin EEG Neurosci |
ISSN | 1550-0594 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19715182 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:45:39 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19715182 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Practicing meditation while focusing on a sound or a symbol influenced midlatency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEPs). Cyclic meditation (CM) is a technique combining yoga postures with meditation while supine, which has influenced the P300 event-related potential. The effects of CM on MLAEPs have not been previously studied. The MLAEPs were studied before and after the practice of CM compared to an equal duration of supine rest (SR) in 47 male volunteers (group mean age 26.5 +/- 4.4 years), recorded from the vertex referenced to linked earlobes. The sessions were one day apart and subjects were randomly assigned to each session. The Pa wave peak latency and Nb wave peak latency significantly increased following CM compared to before CM (repeated measures ANOVA, post-hoc analysis with least significant difference, p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the peak amplitude of the Nb wave (p<0.05) compared to before CM. Post SR there was a significant increase in the peak latency of the Na wave (p<0.05) compared to before SR. In conclusion following CM the latencies of neural generators corresponding to cortical areas is prolonged, whereas following SR a similar change occurs at mesencephalic-diencephalic levels.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Yi-Yuan Tang |
Author | Yinghua Ma |
Author | Yaxin Fan |
Author | Hongbo Feng |
Author | Junhong Wang |
Author | Shigang Feng |
Author | Qilin Lu |
Author | Bing Hu |
Author | Yao Lin |
Author | Jian Li |
Author | Ye Zhang |
Author | Yan Wang |
Author | Li Zhou |
Author | Ming Fan |
Abstract | Five days of integrative body-mind training (IBMT) improves attention and self-regulation in comparison with the same amount of relaxation training. This paper explores the underlying mechanisms of this finding. We measured the physiological and brain changes at rest before, during, and after 5 days of IBMT and relaxation training. During and after training, the IBMT group showed significantly better physiological reactions in heart rate, respiratory amplitude and rate, and skin conductance response (SCR) than the relaxation control. Differences in heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG power suggested greater involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the IBMT group during and after training. Imaging data demonstrated stronger subgenual and adjacent ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity in the IBMT group. Frontal midline ACC theta was correlated with high-frequency HRV, suggesting control by the ACC over parasympathetic activity. These results indicate that after 5 days of training, the IBMT group shows better regulation of the ANS by a ventral midfrontal brain system than does the relaxation group. This changed state probably reflects training in the coordination of body and mind given in the IBMT but not in the control group. These results could be useful in the design of further specific interventions. |
Publication | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 106 |
Issue | 22 |
Pages | 8865-8870 |
Date | Jun 2, 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A |
DOI | 10.1073/pnas.0904031106 |
ISSN | 1091-6490 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19451642 |
Accessed | Tue Sep 8 16:46:37 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19451642 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Five days of integrative body-mind training (IBMT) improves attention and self-regulation in comparison with the same amount of relaxation training. This paper explores the underlying mechanisms of this finding. We measured the physiological and brain changes at rest before, during, and after 5 days of IBMT and relaxation training. During and after training, the IBMT group showed significantly better physiological reactions in heart rate, respiratory amplitude and rate, and skin conductance response (SCR) than the relaxation control. Differences in heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG power suggested greater involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the IBMT group during and after training. Imaging data demonstrated stronger subgenual and adjacent ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity in the IBMT group. Frontal midline ACC theta was correlated with high-frequency HRV, suggesting control by the ACC over parasympathetic activity. These results indicate that after 5 days of training, the IBMT group shows better regulation of the ANS by a ventral midfrontal brain system than does the relaxation group. This changed state probably reflects training in the coordination of body and mind given in the IBMT but not in the control group. These results could be useful in the design of further specific interventions.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Yi-Yuan Tang |
Author | Yinghua Ma |
Author | Yaxin Fan |
Author | Hongbo Feng |
Author | Junhong Wang |
Author | Shigang Feng |
Author | Qilin Lu |
Author | Bing Hu |
Author | Yao Lin |
Author | Jian Li |
Author | Ye Zhang |
Author | Yan Wang |
Author | Li Zhou |
Author | Ming Fan |
Abstract | Five days of integrative body-mind training (IBMT) improves attention and self-regulation in comparison with the same amount of relaxation training. This paper explores the underlying mechanisms of this finding. We measured the physiological and brain changes at rest before, during, and after 5 days of IBMT and relaxation training. During and after training, the IBMT group showed significantly better physiological reactions in heart rate, respiratory amplitude and rate, and skin conductance response (SCR) than the relaxation control. Differences in heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG power suggested greater involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the IBMT group during and after training. Imaging data demonstrated stronger subgenual and adjacent ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity in the IBMT group. Frontal midline ACC theta was correlated with high-frequency HRV, suggesting control by the ACC over parasympathetic activity. These results indicate that after 5 days of training, the IBMT group shows better regulation of the ANS by a ventral midfrontal brain system than does the relaxation group. This changed state probably reflects training in the coordination of body and mind given in the IBMT but not in the control group. These results could be useful in the design of further specific interventions. |
Publication | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 106 |
Issue | 22 |
Pages | 8865-8870 |
Date | Jun 2, 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A |
DOI | 10.1073/pnas.0904031106 |
ISSN | 1091-6490 |
Accessed | Tue Feb 22 19:07:23 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19451642 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:06:18 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:06:18 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Yi-Yuan Tang |
Author | Yinghua Ma |
Author | Junhong Wang |
Author | Yaxin Fan |
Author | Shigang Feng |
Author | Qilin Lu |
Author | Qingbao Yu |
Author | Danni Sui |
Author | Mary K Rothbart |
Author | Ming Fan |
Author | Michael I Posner |
Abstract | Recent studies suggest that months to years of intensive and systematic meditation training can improve attention. However, the lengthy training required has made it difficult to use random assignment of participants to conditions to confirm these findings. This article shows that a group randomly assigned to 5 days of meditation practice with the integrative body-mind training method shows significantly better attention and control of stress than a similarly chosen control group given relaxation training. The training method comes from traditional Chinese medicine and incorporates aspects of other meditation and mindfulness training. Compared with the control group, the experimental group of 40 undergraduate Chinese students given 5 days of 20-min integrative training showed greater improvement in conflict scores on the Attention Network Test, lower anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue, and higher vigor on the Profile of Mood States scale, a significant decrease in stress-related cortisol, and an increase in immunoreactivity. These results provide a convenient method for studying the influence of meditation training by using experimental and control methods similar to those used to test drugs or other interventions. |
Publication | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 104 |
Issue | 43 |
Pages | 17152-17156 |
Date | Oct 23, 2007 |
Journal Abbr | Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A |
DOI | 10.1073/pnas.0707678104 |
ISSN | 0027-8424 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17940025 |
Accessed | Thu Sep 3 01:22:45 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 17940025 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Recent studies suggest that months to years of intensive and systematic meditation training can improve attention. However, the lengthy training required has made it difficult to use random assignment of participants to conditions to confirm these findings. This article shows that a group randomly assigned to 5 days of meditation practice with the integrative body-mind training method shows significantly better attention and control of stress than a similarly chosen control group given relaxation training. The training method comes from traditional Chinese medicine and incorporates aspects of other meditation and mindfulness training. Compared with the control group, the experimental group of 40 undergraduate Chinese students given 5 days of 20-min integrative training showed greater improvement in conflict scores on the Attention Network Test, lower anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue, and higher vigor on the Profile of Mood States scale, a significant decrease in stress-related cortisol, and an increase in immunoreactivity. These results provide a convenient method for studying the influence of meditation training by using experimental and control methods similar to those used to test drugs or other interventions.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Melissa A Tanner |
Author | Fred Travis |
Author | Carolyn Gaylord-King |
Author | David A F Haaga |
Author | Sarina Grosswald |
Author | Robert H Schneider |
Abstract | Mindfulness is associated with low levels of neuroticism, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as well as high levels of self-esteem and satisfaction with life (Brown & Ryan, 2003). As part of a 3-month randomized waitlist-controlled trial of the effects of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program on university students (N=295), we examined the impact of TM practice on mindfulness as measured by the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS; Baer, Smith, & Allen, 2004). A repeated measures ANOVA on total KIMS scores showed a significant timextreatment interaction, with the TM participants reporting greater increases in mindfulness than the waitlist participants. All KIMS subscales were positively intercorrelated at pretreatment, and there were no differences over time or as a function of treatment condition in subscale intercorrelations. Therefore, previously published findings of a positive correlation between subscales measuring the skills of observing and accepting-without-judgment one's inner experiences only among those with meditation experience may have reflected a self-selection effect rather than a change in the relation of these mindfulness components resulting directly from meditation practice. |
Publication | Journal of Clinical Psychology |
Volume | 65 |
Issue | 6 |
Pages | 574-589 |
Date | Jun 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Clin Psychol |
DOI | 10.1002/jclp.20544 |
ISSN | 1097-4679 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19241401 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:17:57 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19241401 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Mindfulness is associated with low levels of neuroticism, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as well as high levels of self-esteem and satisfaction with life (Brown & Ryan, 2003). As part of a 3-month randomized waitlist-controlled trial of the effects of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program on university students (N=295), we examined the impact of TM practice on mindfulness as measured by the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS; Baer, Smith, & Allen, 2004). A repeated measures ANOVA on total KIMS scores showed a significant timextreatment interaction, with the TM participants reporting greater increases in mindfulness than the waitlist participants. All KIMS subscales were positively intercorrelated at pretreatment, and there were no differences over time or as a function of treatment condition in subscale intercorrelations. Therefore, previously published findings of a positive correlation between subscales measuring the skills of observing and accepting-without-judgment one’s inner experiences only among those with meditation experience may have reflected a self-selection effect rather than a change in the relation of these mindfulness components resulting directly from meditation practice.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Shisei Tei |
Author | Pascal L Faber |
Author | Dietrich Lehmann |
Author | Takuya Tsujiuchi |
Author | Hiroaki Kumano |
Author | Roberto D Pascual-Marqui |
Author | Lorena R R Gianotti |
Author | Kieko Kochi |
Abstract | Many meditation exercises aim at increased awareness of ongoing experiences through sustained attention and at detachment, i.e., non-engaging observation of these ongoing experiences by the intent not to analyze, judge or expect anything. Long-term meditation practice is believed to generalize the ability of increased awareness and greater detachment into everyday life. We hypothesized that neuroplasticity effects of meditation (correlates of increased awareness and detachment) would be detectable in a no-task resting state. EEG recorded during resting was compared between Qigong meditators and controls. Using LORETA (low resolution electromagnetic tomography) to compute the intracerebral source locations, differences in brain activations between groups were found in the inhibitory delta EEG frequency band. In the meditators, appraisal systems were inhibited, while brain areas involved in the detection and integration of internal and external sensory information showed increased activation. This suggests that neuroplasticity effects of long-term meditation practice, subjectively described as increased awareness and greater detachment, are carried over into non-meditating states. |
Publication | Brain Topography |
Volume | 22 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 158-165 |
Date | Nov 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Brain Topogr |
DOI | 10.1007/s10548-009-0107-4 |
ISSN | 1573-6792 |
Short Title | Meditators and non-meditators |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19653090 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 14:58:46 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19653090 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Many meditation exercises aim at increased awareness of ongoing experiences through sustained attention and at detachment, i.e., non-engaging observation of these ongoing experiences by the intent not to analyze, judge or expect anything. Long-term meditation practice is believed to generalize the ability of increased awareness and greater detachment into everyday life. We hypothesized that neuroplasticity effects of meditation (correlates of increased awareness and detachment) would be detectable in a no-task resting state. EEG recorded during resting was compared between Qigong meditators and controls. Using LORETA (low resolution electromagnetic tomography) to compute the intracerebral source locations, differences in brain activations between groups were found in the inhibitory delta EEG frequency band. In the meditators, appraisal systems were inhibited, while brain areas involved in the detection and integration of internal and external sensory information showed increased activation. This suggests that neuroplasticity effects of long-term meditation practice, subjectively described as increased awareness and greater detachment, are carried over into non-meditating states.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Sara van Leeuwen |
Author | Notger G Müller |
Author | Lucia Melloni |
Abstract | Here we explore whether mental training in the form of meditation can help to overcome age-related attentional decline. We compared performance on the attentional blink task between three populations: A group of long-term meditation practitioners within an older population, a control group of age-matched participants and a control group of young participants. Members of both control groups had never practiced meditation. Our results show that long-term meditation practice leads to a reduction of the attentional blink. Meditation practitioners taken from an older population showed a reduction in blink as compared to a control group taken from a younger population, whereas, the control group age-matched to the meditators' group revealed a blink that was comparatively larger and broader. Our results support the hypothesis that meditation practice can: (i) alter the efficiency with which attentional resources are distributed and (ii) help to overcome age-related attentional deficits in the temporal domain. |
Publication | Consciousness and Cognition |
Volume | 18 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 593-599 |
Date | Sep 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Conscious Cogn |
DOI | 10.1016/j.concog.2009.05.001 |
ISSN | 1090-2376 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19515578 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:31:24 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19515578 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Here we explore whether mental training in the form of meditation can help to overcome age-related attentional decline. We compared performance on the attentional blink task between three populations: A group of long-term meditation practitioners within an older population, a control group of age-matched participants and a control group of young participants. Members of both control groups had never practiced meditation. Our results show that long-term meditation practice leads to a reduction of the attentional blink. Meditation practitioners taken from an older population showed a reduction in blink as compared to a control group taken from a younger population, whereas, the control group age-matched to the meditators’ group revealed a blink that was comparatively larger and broader. Our results support the hypothesis that meditation practice can: (i) alter the efficiency with which attentional resources are distributed and (ii) help to overcome age-related attentional deficits in the temporal domain.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Peter Vestergaard-Poulsen |
Author | Martijn van Beek |
Author | Joshua Skewes |
Author | Carsten R Bjarkam |
Author | Michael Stubberup |
Author | Jes Bertelsen |
Author | Andreas Roepstorff |
Abstract | Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices. |
Publication | Neuroreport |
Volume | 20 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 170-174 |
Date | Jan 28, 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Neuroreport |
DOI | 10.1097/WNR.0b013e328320012a |
ISSN | 1473-558X |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19104459 |
Accessed | Mon Mar 28 18:18:24 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19104459 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:06:18 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:06:18 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Peter Vestergaard-Poulsen |
Author | Martijn van Beek |
Author | Joshua Skewes |
Author | Carsten R Bjarkam |
Author | Michael Stubberup |
Author | Jes Bertelsen |
Author | Andreas Roepstorff |
Abstract | Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices. |
Publication | Neuroreport |
Volume | 20 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 170-174 |
Date | Jan 28, 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Neuroreport |
DOI | 10.1097/WNR.0b013e328320012a |
ISSN | 1473-558X |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19104459 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 14:52:06 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19104459 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Lisa Christine Vettese |
Author | Tony Toneatto |
Author | Jonathan N. Stea |
Author | Linda Nguyen |
Author | Jenny Jing Wang |
Abstract | Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to alleviate symptoms of a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Regular between-session practice of mindfulness meditation is among the key factors proposed to produce the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness-based programs. This article reviews the mindfulness intervention literature with a focus on the status of home practice research and the relationship of practice to mindfulness program outcomes. Of 98 studies reviewed, nearly one-quarter (N = 24) evaluated the associations between home practice and measures of clinical functioning, with just over half (N = 13) demonstrating at least partial support for the benefits of practice. These findings indicate a substantial disparity between what is espoused clinically and what is known empirically about the benefits of mindfulness practice. Improved methodologies for tracking and evaluating the effects of home practice are recommended. |
Publication | Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy |
Volume | 23 |
Pages | 198-225 |
Date | August 2009 |
DOI | 10.1891/0889-8391.23.3.198 |
Short Title | Do Mindfulness Meditation Participants Do Their Homework? |
URL | http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/springer/jcogp/2009/00000023/00000003/art00003 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 17:00:31 2009 |
Library Catalog | IngentaConnect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:06:02 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:06:02 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Shr-Da Wu |
Author | Pei-Chen Lo |
Abstract | The cardiac and respiratory systems can be viewed as two self-sustained oscillators with various interactions between them. In this study, the cardiorespiratory phase synchronization (CRPS) quantified by synchrogram was investigated to explore the phase synchronization between these two systems. The synchrogram scheme was applied to electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiration signals. Particular focus was the distinct cardiac-respiratory regulation phenomena intervened by inward-attention meditation and normal relaxation. Four synchronization parameters were measured: frequency ratio, lasting length, number of epochs, and total length. The results showed that normal rest resulted in much weaker CRPS. Statistical analysis reveals that the number of synchronous epochs and the total synchronization length significantly increase (p = 0.024 and 0.034 respectively) during meditation. Furthermore, a predominance of 4:1 and 5:1 rhythm-ratio synchronizations was observed during meditation. Consequently, this study concludes that CRPS can be enhanced during meditation, compared with normal relaxation, and reveals a predominance of specific frequency ratios. |
Publication | International Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 141 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 325-328 |
Date | June 11, 2010 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.11.137 |
ISSN | 0167-5273 |
Accessed | Tue Jul 27 13:46:45 2010 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:03:23 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:03:23 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | C.W. Wu |
Author | C.H. Hsieh |
Author | C.W. Li |
Author | J.H. Chen |
Abstract | Introduction Meditation means a mental training practice for the meditators to strengthen attentional focus and achieve a tranquil state (Brefczynski-Lewis JA, 2007). The engagement of such process on experienced meditators was reported combining with the increase of attention and improvement of perception (Jha A, 2007 and Carter OL, 2005). However, mapping the brain functions during meditation is arduous for experimental designs since the normal meditation usually last for a long time, comparing to timing of traditional cognitive task design. Therefore, in this work we applied the resting-state fMRI analyses (Biswal B, 1995) on the comparison between normal resting conditions and traditional Chinese meditation states. Methods Eight healthy experienced mediators participated in the experiments on a 3T Bruker Medspec system. A typical gradient-echo EPI sequence was used to collect imagings for 21 minutes (630 measurements, TR=2s). Images were acquired on the whole cerebrum (24 slices) along the AC-PC line, with FOV of 256 mm, MTX of 64×64, and slice thickness of 4mm. At first, subjects were instructed to close their eyes and stayed in a relaxing resting status during the beginning of 9-minute scan. Subsequently, the subjects were asked to read mantra and prepared to perform meditation, which lasted for no longer than 3 minutes. Subsequently, the subjects remained at meditation for the rest of the scan time (not, vert, similar 9 min, as shown in fig. 1). Data were pre-processed with motion correction, detrending, and low-pass filtered (<0.1 Hz) using MATLAB, and then underwent spatial normalization (resampled to an isotropic resolution 3×3×3 mm3), smoothing (Gausian kernel = 6 mm) and statistical analyses by AFNI. Physiological noise and motion artifacts were regressed out during individual calculation of cross-correlation. Spherical seeds with 6 mm diameter were placed on the right primary motor cortex (M1) [36, −28, 54] and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) [38, 28, 26] in the normalized MNI/Talairach space to observe the connectivity in sensori-motor and attentional networks, respectively. A group-level analysis of correlation maps was performed to reveal significant functional connectivity (p <10−4, cluster = 529 mm3). Results Fig.2 shows the group results of functional connectivity maps on both motor and attention networks, overlaid on an averaged anatomical image. With seeds placed on right M1, strong connections are observed in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and contralateral M1, formatting the structure of sensori-motor networks. However, such connection was suppressed, or even disappeared in some brain area during the meditation state, such as the contralateral M1. When putting seeds on the right MFG, only ipsilateral connections to precentral gyrus (PCG) and middle temporal gyrus (MTG) are explicit under the resting state; however, under the meditation state, the contralateral side of MFG, and MTG are aroused, showing the concentration during performing meditation practices. Conclusions Functional connectivity analysis was first time adopted in the research of meditation in the current work. Such experimental design is more reliable and feasible for meditators without interruption of experimental interests. In contrast to resting status of the same group, the functional connectivity of motor and attention networks was indeed modulated by the practice of meditation. |
Publication | NeuroImage |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | Supplement 1 |
Pages | S42 |
Date | July 2009 |
DOI | 10.1016/S1053-8119(09)70006-0 |
ISSN | 1053-8119 |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/science/article/B6WNP-4X3PHYG-6/2/3e7feb6276eecd7ce199962b262e68dd |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 18:29:40 2009 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Introduction: Meditation means a mental training practice for the meditators to strengthen attentional focus and achieve a tranquil state (Brefczynski-Lewis JA, 2007). The engagement of such process on experienced meditators was reported combining with the increase of attention and improvement of perception (Jha A, 2007 and Carter OL, 2005). However, mapping the brain functions during meditation is arduous for experimental designs since the normal meditation usually last for a long time, comparing to timing of traditional cognitive task design. Therefore, in this work we applied the resting-state fMRI analyses (Biswal B, 1995) on the comparison between normal resting conditions and traditional Chinese meditation states. Methods: Eight healthy experienced mediators participated in the experiments on a 3T Bruker Medspec system. A typical gradient-echo EPI sequence was used to collect imagings for 21 minutes (630 measurements, TR=2s). Images were acquired on the whole cerebrum (24 slices) along the AC-PC line, with FOV of 256 mm, MTX of 64×64, and slice thickness of 4mm. At first, subjects were instructed to close their eyes and stayed in a relaxing resting status during the beginning of 9-minute scan. Subsequently, the subjects were asked to read mantra and prepared to perform meditation, which lasted for no longer than 3 minutes. Subsequently, the subjects remained at meditation for the rest of the scan time (not, vert, similar 9 min, as shown in fig. 1). Data were pre-processed with motion correction, detrending, and low-pass filtered (<0.1 Hz) using MATLAB, and then underwent spatial normalization (resampled to an isotropic resolution 3×3×3 mm3), smoothing (Gausian kernel = 6 mm) and statistical analyses by AFNI. Physiological noise and motion artifacts were regressed out during individual calculation of cross-correlation. Spherical seeds with 6 mm diameter were placed on the right primary motor cortex (M1) [36, −28, 54] and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) [38, 28, 26] in the normalized MNI/Talairach space to observe the connectivity in sensori-motor and attentional networks, respectively. A group-level analysis of correlation maps was performed to reveal significant functional connectivity (p <10−4, cluster = 529 mm3). Results: Fig.2 shows the group results of functional connectivity maps on both motor and attention networks, overlaid on an averaged anatomical image. With seeds placed on right M1, strong connections are observed in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and contralateral M1, formatting the structure of sensori-motor networks. However, such connection was suppressed, or even disappeared in some brain area during the meditation state, such as the contralateral M1. When putting seeds on the right MFG, only ipsilateral connections to precentral gyrus (PCG) and middle temporal gyrus (MTG) are explicit under the resting state; however, under the meditation state, the contralateral side of MFG, and MTG are aroused, showing the concentration during performing meditation practices. Conclusions: Functional connectivity analysis was first time adopted in the research of meditation in the current work. Such experimental design is more reliable and feasible for meditators without interruption of experimental interests. In contrast to resting status of the same group, the functional connectivity of motor and attention networks was indeed modulated by the practice of meditation.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Glen L Xiong |
Author | P Murali Doraiswamy |
Abstract | Meditation practices have various health benefits including the possibility of preserving cognition and preventing dementia. While the mechanisms remain investigational, studies show that meditation may affect multiple pathways that could play a role in brain aging and mental fitness. For example, meditation may reduce stress-induced cortisol secretion and this could have neuroprotective effects potentially via elevating levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Meditation may also potentially have beneficial effects on lipid profiles and lower oxidative stress, both of which could in turn reduce the risk for cerebrovascular disease and age-related neurodegeneration. Further, meditation may potentially strengthen neuronal circuits and enhance cognitive reserve capacity. These are the theoretical bases for how meditation might enhance longevity and optimal health. Evidence to support a neuroprotective effect comes from cognitive, electroencephalogram (EEG), and structural neuroimaging studies. In one cross-sectional study, meditation practitioners were found to have a lower age-related decline in thickness of specific cortical regions. However, the enthusiasm must be balanced by the inconsistency and preliminary nature of existing studies as well as the fact that meditation comprises a heterogeneous group of practices. Key future challenges include the isolation of a potential common element in the different meditation modalities, replication of existing findings in larger randomized trials, determining the correct "dose," studying whether findings from expert practitioners are generalizable to a wider population, and better control of the confounding genetic, dietary and lifestyle influences. |
Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1172 |
Pages | 63-69 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci |
DOI | 10.1196/annals.1393.002 |
ISSN | 1749-6632 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19743551 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:40:12 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19743551 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Meditation practices have various health benefits including the possibility of preserving cognition and preventing dementia. While the mechanisms remain investigational, studies show that meditation may affect multiple pathways that could play a role in brain aging and mental fitness. For example, meditation may reduce stress-induced cortisol secretion and this could have neuroprotective effects potentially via elevating levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Meditation may also potentially have beneficial effects on lipid profiles and lower oxidative stress, both of which could in turn reduce the risk for cerebrovascular disease and age-related neurodegeneration. Further, meditation may potentially strengthen neuronal circuits and enhance cognitive reserve capacity. These are the theoretical bases for how meditation might enhance longevity and optimal health. Evidence to support a neuroprotective effect comes from cognitive, electroencephalogram (EEG), and structural neuroimaging studies. In one cross-sectional study, meditation practitioners were found to have a lower age-related decline in thickness of specific cortical regions. However, the enthusiasm must be balanced by the inconsistency and preliminary nature of existing studies as well as the fact that meditation comprises a heterogeneous group of practices. Key future challenges include the isolation of a potential common element in the different meditation modalities, replication of existing findings in larger randomized trials, determining the correct “dose,” studying whether findings from expert practitioners are generalizable to a wider population, and better control of the confounding genetic, dietary and lifestyle influences.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | E C Young |
Author | C Brammer |
Author | E Owen |
Author | N Brown |
Author | J Lowe |
Author | C Johnson |
Author | R Calam |
Author | S Jones |
Author | A Woodcock |
Author | J A Smith |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is common, and medical treatment can be ineffective. Mindfulness is a psychological intervention that aims to teach moment-to-moment non-judgemental awareness of thoughts, feelings and sensations. METHOD: 30 healthy subjects and 30 patients with chronic cough were studied in two sequential trials. For both studies, cough reflex sensitivity to citric acid (C5) was measured on two occasions, with urge to cough rated following each inhalation; between challenges subjects were randomised to (1) no intervention, (2) mindfulness or (3) no intervention but modified cough challenge (subjects suppress coughing). For the healthy volunteers, measures were 1 h apart and mindfulness was practised for 15 min. For the patients with chronic cough measures were 1 week apart and mindfulness was practised daily for 30 min. RESULTS: In healthy volunteers, median change (interquartile range (IQR)) in cough reflex sensitivity (logC5) for no intervention, mindfulness and suppression was +1.0 (0.0 to +1.3), +2.0 (+1.0 to +3.0) and +3.0 (+2.8 to +3.0) doubling concentrations (p = 0.003); there were significant reductions for both mindfulness (p = 0.043) and suppression (p = 0.002) over no intervention. In patients with cough, median change (IQR) in logC5 for no intervention, mindfulness training and voluntary suppression was 0.0 (-1.0 to +1.0), +1.0 (-0.3 to +1.0) and +1.0 (+1.0 to +2.0) doubling concentrations (p = 0.046); there was a significant reduction for suppression (p = 0.02) but not mindfulness (p = 0.35). Urge to cough did not change after mindfulness compared with control in either healthy subjects (p = 0.33) or those with chronic cough (p = 0.47). CONCLUSION: Compared with control, mindfulness decreased cough reflex sensitivity in healthy volunteers, but did not alter cough threshold in patients with chronic cough. Both groups were able to suppress cough responses to citric acid inhalation. |
Publication | Thorax |
Volume | 64 |
Issue | 11 |
Pages | 993-998 |
Date | Nov 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Thorax |
DOI | 10.1136/thx.2009.116723 |
ISSN | 1468-3296 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19679578 |
Accessed | Mon Nov 23 19:51:04 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19679578 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Fadel Zeidan |
Author | Susan K Johnson |
Author | Nakia S Gordon |
Author | Paula Goolkasian |
Abstract | Abstract Objectives: Although long-term meditation has been found to reduce negative mood and cardiovascular variables, the effects of a brief mindfulness meditation intervention when compared to a sham mindfulness meditation intervention are relatively unknown. This experiment examined whether a 3-day (1-hour total) mindfulness or sham mindfulness meditation intervention would improve mood and cardiovascular variables when compared to a control group. Methods: Eighty-two (82) undergraduate students (34 males, 48 females), with no prior meditation experience, participated in three sessions that involved training in either mindfulness meditation, sham mindfulness meditation, or a control group. Heart rate, blood pressure, and psychologic variables (Profile of Mood States, State Anxiety Inventory) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The meditation intervention was more effective at reducing negative mood, depression, fatigue, confusion, and heart rate, when compared to the sham and control groups. Conclusions: These results indicate that brief meditation training has beneficial effects on mood and cardiovascular variables that go beyond the demand characteristics of a sham meditation intervention. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 8 |
Pages | 867-873 |
Date | Aug 2010 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2009.0321 |
ISSN | 1557-7708 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20666590 |
Extra | PMID: 20666590 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:02:43 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:02:43 2011 |