Holzel et al

• Mindfulness meditation


  A human ability to be fully aware of who we are where we are, + what we are doing
• Mindfulness meditation


  A skill to not become overwhelmed by everything that might be happening around us, physically +/or psychologically
• Mindfulness


  The development of awareness of present-moment experience with a compassionate, non-judgemental stance
• Localisation of function


  How different parts of the brain perform specific functions

  
• Independent measures design


  One group will take part in experimental condition where IV is introduced while other group would not be exposed to this + form control group for comparison
• Strengths of independent groups


  • No order effects as participants only take part in 1 of conditions
  • Materials or apparatus can usually be used across both experimental condition + control group
  • Participants = less demand characteristics as they are only exposed to 1 condition
• Weaknesses of independent groups

  • Differences between experimental condition + control group may be due to participant variables
  • Needs more participants to make 2 independent groups
• Mindfulness Meditation


  • Central to this study, grounded in the theory that focused, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment can lead to improved mental health and cognitive functioning
  • As a form of mental training, theorized to induce changes in the brain through repeated practice
• Neuroplasticity


  The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life
• Stress Reduction and Psychological Well-being

  Mindfulness-based interventions can reduce stress and improve overall psychological health by altering one's relationship to stressful events
• Brain Areas Associated with Mindfulness Practices

  • Hippocampus
  • Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC)
  • Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ)
  • Cerebellum
• Prior research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of mindfulness meditation on psychological well-being, including reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, and improvements in emotional regulation and cognitive functioning
• Procedure


  Used voxel-based morphometry to measure changes in gray matter concentration in the brains of participants who completed an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
• Sample


  • 18 healthy, right-handed individuals enrolled in the MBSR program, recruited from four MBSR courses held at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
  • Inclusion criteria: no meditation classes in the past 6 months, no more than four classes in the past 5 years, or 10 classes in their lifetime; 25 to 55 years old; no contraindications for MRI scanning
• Methodology


  • Pre-post design, comparing participants' brain scans before and after the MBSR program to a control group of 17 individuals who did not complete the MBSR program
  • Used MRI scans to measure gray matter concentration and collected demographic information
• Strengths


  • Use of a control group
  • Use of voxel-based morphometry
  • Use of a standardized mindfulness program
• Weaknesses


  • Small sample size
  • Lack of randomisation
  • Lack of blinding
• The study provides evidence that mindfulness practice can lead to changes in the brain that may have important implications for mental health and well-being
• Stress and Anxiety


  Something that we all deal with in our everyday lives
• Students watching this channel are probably going through exam stress considering your exams right around the corner
• Meditation


  A technique used to manage stress
• Mindfulness


  A state achieved through meditation, where a person is more aware of their emotions, thoughts, movements and present moment experience
• When a person is stressed


  They tend to focus on the future and think of the past
• Through mindfulness


  A person is able to live in the present moment experience
• Anxiety and stress


  Caused by situations/experiences where you feel you do not have control
• When you are more in control of yourself

  Your anxiety levels will be reduced
• Localization of function


  Different areas of the brain responsible for different activities
• Hippocampus


  Associated with memory and emotion regulation
• Insula


  Associated with pain perception and overall awareness of the self and body
• fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)


  Brain scanning technique used to determine activity in different areas of the brain
• Mindfulness


  A stress reduction technique used to improve well-being, achieved through meditation which aims at increasing awareness of the present moment experience
• MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)


  An 8-week program involving weekly group meetings and one training day, using techniques like body scanning, mindful yoga, and sitting meditation
• Gray matter


  Tissue containing billions of nerve cells (neurons) responsible for processing information and functions like thinking, emotions, learning
• White matter


  Bundles of nerve fibers (axons) that carry signals between neurons
• Previous studies have shown experienced meditators have more gray matter concentration in the hippocampus and insula compared to non-meditators
• Experimental research method


  Longitudinal study with an independent variable (mindfulness training) and dependent variables (gray matter concentration, mindfulness questionnaire scores)
• Initially 35 participants, but 2 felt uncomfortable with the fMRI scans
• VBM


  A technique used in fMRI brain scans that helps distinguish between gray matter and white matter
• FFMQ


  Questionnaire to assess different aspects of mindfulness
• Initially 35 participants, 2 withdrew due to discomfort in fMRI machine, leaving 33 participants