AICE PSYCHOLOGY: Holzel et al.

Describe the MBSR (Mindfulness based stress relief)

-8 weekly group meetings lasting 2.5 hours each -One full day (6.5 hours) during the 6th week Three formal mindfulness training exercises BODY SCAN: -Attention is guided through the entire body, observing the body with non-judgmental awareness as a complete whole. MINDFUL YOGA: -Gentle stretching and slow movements coordinated with breath, and emphasis placed on bringing awareness to the present moment and a non-harming attitude towards the body. SITTING MEDITATION -Awareness of sensations of breathing, then evolves into awareness of sounds, sight, tastes, thoughts, and emotions. Later, emphasis is given to open awareness meditation which includes anything appearing in consciousness. -Participants given audio recording with 45-minute guided mindfulness exercises that they practiced daily at home -Taught to practice mindfulness informally in everyday activities (eating, washing dishes, walking) -During classes, mindfulness exercises were practiced. Questions relating to the practice of mindfulness in everyday life were clarified and didactic instruction was given.

In the study Holzel et al., what did prior research show?

2004, a meta-analysis was conducted on the effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction/health benefits Conclusion: MBSR helps a broad range of people to cope with clinical/non-clinical problems.

Describe the FFMQ questionnaire.

39 item Likert scale Measures five factors of mindfulness: OBSERVING: -Attending to/noticing internal and external stimuli (emotions, sensations, sights smells) DESCRIBING: -Noting/mentally labeling these stimuli with words ACTING WITH AWARENESS: -Attending to ones current actions, as opposed to behaving automatically/absentmindedly NON-JUDGING OF INNER EXPERIENCE: -Refraining from evaluation of ones sensations, emotions, cognitions NON-REACTIVITY TO INNER EXPERIENCE: -Allowing thoughts and feelings to come and go, without attention getting caught up in them.

Explain the controls of Holzel et al.

All subjects completed the FFMQ before and after the MBSR sessions All subjects went through two MRI scans

Describe the MRI scans of Holzel et al.

All were scanned at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Charlestown Scanned 2 weeks before and after participation. Control participants were also scanned twice around 2mo apart. MRI enabled whole brain analyses and region of interest (ROI) analyses. ROI= Bilateral hippocampi and bilateral insulae. Image analysis performed with voxel-based morphometry tools which measured gray and white matter of the brain tissue.

Describe the results of Holzel et al. : Whole brain analysis.

Four clusters had significantly greater gray matter concentration after compared to before in MBSR group Four areas were: Posterior cingulate cortex Left temporo-parietal junction Lateral cerebellum Cerebellum vermis/brainstem

Describe the DVs of Holzel et al.

Grey matter concentration in specific brain structures and throughout the brain Five facets of mindfulness questionnaire self-reports Time spent on mindfulness exercises between weekly sessions

Describe the conclusions of Holzel et al.

Hypothesized increased gray matter was confirmed Exploratory whole-brain analysis identified significant increases in POSTERIOR CINGULATE CORTEX, TEMPORO-PARIETAL JUNCTION, AND CEREBELLUM. Adult nervous system has the capacity for plasticity, and brain structure can change in response to training Other actions within program could've led to positive effects outside of mindfulness (social interaction, stress education, yoga) Positive correlation not established between gray matter concentration and homework. MBSR program as a whole influences changes Active control group would isolate specific effects of meditation Generalizations are limited. Non-stressed people weren't tested, and it was a small sample size. Mindfulness training DOES lead to increased brain matter changes. MBSR leads to improvement is psychological and well-being due to these changes.

In the study Holzel et al, what was the design and apparatus?

Independent measures (Experimental and control group) 1.5T Siemens Magnetom Avanto scanner with standard head coil Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) 39 statements participants rate on a Likert scale of 1 (never/very rarely) to 10 (often/always) Audio recording containing 45 minute guided mindfulness exercises to practice daily at home

State the Holzel et al. study's aims.

Investigate long term effects of MBSR programs on brain grey matter density Identify brain structures that changed as a result of the 8-week program

State the type of experiment and research method of Holzel et al.

Laboratory experiment Correlations Self-Reports Closed ended questionnaires

Describe the results of Holzel et al. : Gray matter changes in ROI.

MBSR group identified small cluster with increased gray matter in left hippocampus Changes were not found for insulae ROI. Confirms structural changes in this region are detectable within 8 weeks following the participation in the MBSR program.

Define "mindfulness."

The practice of purposely bringing ones attention to the present moment. Goal is to wake up to inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes Can help with stress, anxiety, or treat eating disorders, depression, or pain

Describe the IVs of Holzel et al.

Whether participants received MBSR or not Whether data was collected at the beginning or end of the 8-week study period

Describe the results of Holzel et al. : Improvements in mindfulness

Results from FFMQ confirmed significant group-by-time interactions for 3/5 facets Acting with awareness, observing, and non-judging all confirmed significant increase in those who partook in MBSR.

Describe the type of data collected in Holzel et al.

Quantitative ONLY Two MRI scans and a closed ended questionnaire

Identify the subjects and sampling technique of Holzel et al.

Opportunity sampling Mentally and physically healthy (Not on any medications) right-handed individuals enrolled in MBSR courses held at Center for Mindfulness at Massachusetts Medical School 18 total participants EXPERIMENTAL -6 men 10 women (Mean age 38) -13 Caucasians/1 Asian/1 African American/1 Multi-ethnic CONTROL -11 men 6 women (Mean age 39) -13 Caucasians/2 Asian/1 Hispanic/2 African American 2 participants did not return to do the second MRI scan. Each participant that completed the study was given a discounted course fee.