We proposed a longitudinal study of intensive Vipassana meditation to investigate training-related changes in cognitive control, and to explore the relationship between cognitive control and growth in emotional well-being. The proposed data collection included participants undergoing one month of intensive meditative training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center between February and March 2009, as well as …
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Different approaches to emotion regulation: MBSR and CBT in the treatment of anxiety disorders
Few randomized controlled trials have directly compared the effects of mindfulness and acceptance-based MBSR and reappraisal-based CBT in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In the current study, we propose a randomized pilot study that compares MBSR and group CBT to enable a direct assessment of training in reappraisal and mindfulness-based emotion regulatory strategies, and their …
A randomized controlled single-blinded pilot trial to compare effects of concentrative sitting meditation to moving meditation (tai chi) training on attentional network efficiency
Meditation training has been shown to positively affect executive attention function. Moderate aerobic exercise has also been shown to improve executive attention function. Tai Chi requires moderate aerobic exertion, is considered a form of moving meditation, and requires motor learning. Motor learning engages executive function. Thus, Tai Chi can be expected to positively affect executive …
Does mindfulness training change the processing of social threat?
Mindfulness training is theorized to lead to a shift in perspective, a so-called “reperceiving”. The observing of inner experiences, thoughts, and emotions leads to a dis-identification from these contents of consciousness, which facilitates exposure and is thought to result in a reduction in emotional reactivity and to more adaptive responding in situations of social threat. …
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Neuropeptide levels in meditation
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or other forms of meditation have been found to decrease blood pressure, improve sleep, decrease anxiety and stress, decrease cortisol, induce the immune response, and produce other health benefits. However, the mechanism of action of meditation’s beneficial effect on health is uncertain. The peptide neurohormone oxytocin is generally considered to have …
The dissolution of self during rhythmic motor behavior
Rhythmic drumming is a common method to induce trance states of consciousness in many cultures around the world. The techniques and drum tempi are highly similar across cultures, and likely developed independently (convergent evolution). In order to study the rhythmic induction of trance, shamanic practitioners with extensive experience using drums to alter consciousness, traveled to …
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Neural effects of mindfulness training on adults with ADD
In this proposal I seek to shed light on the behavioral and neural effects of mindfulness meditation training (MMT) on attention, memory, and inhibition in adults with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Eligible subjects who reach criteria for ADHD as per evaluation by the Upenn center of cognitive therapy will attend an 8-week MMT course tailored …
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Development and testing of determinants of meditation practice
Meditation health benefits have been difficult to document as efficacy studies have been marred by lack of statistical power secondary to small sample size and/or threats to validity from high attrition. To date no published studies have examined barriers to meditation which are likely responsible for low enrollment and high attrition. The purpose of our …
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The influence of meditative experience on pain perception
The subjective experience of one’s environment is constructed by interactions among sensory, cognitive, and affective processes. For centuries, meditation has been thought to influence such processes by enabling a non-evaluative representation of sensory events. To better understand how meditation influences the sensory experience, we examined brain activity by which meditation influences pain. After four-days (20m/d) …
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Electrophysiological and behavioral assessment of a mindfulness-based pain management program for patients with chronic pain
Previous studies have provided some evidence that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) may be beneficial for patients with chronic pain. This effect may be mediated by an improved ability to regulate emotional responses to pain due to improved attentional control. Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are useful for measuring the time-course of anticipatory and pain-evoked responses and their …
