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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02191553

Differential Effect of Four Mindfulness Exercises

Mindfulness can be considered as a family of complex attentional and emotional regulation strategies that promote the cultivation of well-being and emotional balance. The practice of mindfulness produces the development of a consciousness that unfolds moment to moment, open and unprejudiced in the present moment, here and now. Despite its extensive benefits, the practice of mindfulness requires a significant commitment in time and effort, which limits the potential for its dissemination. The studies to narrow the differential effects of the various exercises based on mindfulness, will further enhance their effectiveness and they can guide the practice sequence according to user needs. In this paper we will research mindfulness electroencephalographic correlates of as four different exercise programs included in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and stress reduction program based on mindfulness (MBSR) as well as its effect on several psychological variables.

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Key information

Conditions

Well-Being Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Mental Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Arrabal Health Center

Zaragoza, 50009, Spain

About this study

Mindfulness is a way of using attention intentionally, repeatedly reactivating the attentional focus, so that it enhances the ability of sustained attention. It involves a complex process of self-regulation and inhibition of internal and external stimuli interferences.

Although the overall effects of meditation on brain bioelectrical signals are still being characterized, there is some consensus on the fact that meditation helps alter brain activity in both state and trait.

The specific aim of this study is to assess the differential effect of four different practices of mindfulness in psychological well-being and their corresponding neurophysiological correlates.

The hypothesis is that different exercises within the range of mindfulness practices exert different effects in terms of electroencephalographic activity, expecting different band increases in alpha (activity 7-to 2 Hz), beta (activity more than 13 Hz), theta (activity 4-6 Hz) and delta (activity less than 3 Hz) respectively, as well as changes in the lateralization of the activity (left or right hemisphere). We also expect an improvement in the variables such as mindfulness, self-compassion, positive affect, anxiety, depression and sleep quality.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • sign of informed consent
  • no previous meditation training experience

Exclusion criteria

  • mental or neurologic disorder
  • respiratory disease
  • previous brain damage history
  • medication intake that could interfere in the electroencephalographic results

Treatment and study plan

Control group relaxation techniques

Behavioral

Jacobson's progressive muscular relaxation, emotional imagining and Schultz's autogenic training.

Loving-kindness Meditation

Behavioral

Following Kristin Neff protocol

Body Scan

Behavioral

Body scan: Attention being directed with detailed awareness to every part of the body for a sustained period of time.

Sitting practice

Behavioral

In the sitting exercise, participants are guided to pay attention to a certain range of still points, starting with attention to breathing. In this exercise attention is fully concentrated on a single object: the sensation attached to breathing. If the mind wanders or is distracted by an external stimulus, attention is gently returned to sensations derived from breathing.

Primary outcomes

  1. Different facets of Mindfulness

    Time frame: 3 months

    The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) will be used: It assesses the following facets of mindfulness: Observing, describing, acting with awareness, non judging of inner experience and non-reactivity to inner experience

Secondary outcomes

  1. Brain function

    Time frame: 3 months

    We will use cerebral cartography

  2. Positive and negative affectivity

    Time frame: 3 months

    It will be measured with PANAS questionnaire

  3. anxiety and depression

    Time frame: 3 months

    Measured with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale

  4. Insomnia

    Time frame: 3 months

    Measured with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

  5. Self-compassion

    Time frame: 3 months

    Measured with Self-Compassion Scale

Other outcomes

  1. heart function and heart variability rate

    Time frame: 3 months

    The investigators will use electrocardiogram

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hospital Miguel Servet

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Differential Effect of Four Mindfulness Exercises on Mindfulness, Cerebral Cartography and Heart Ratio Variability

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jul 16, 2014
Registry last updated
Feb 25, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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