Brain Imaging Technology to Examine the Effects of Meditation

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2001-07-31

Study Completion Date

2005-06-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to use brain imaging technology to identify the parts of the brain that are activated during meditation and to compare these parts to those activated during other activities. This study will also determine the effects of meditation on involuntary functions, such as breathing.

Detailed Description

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Meditation and relaxation-based interventions are becoming more widely accepted in clinical settings because of their low cost, low risk, and proven effectiveness as a complementary intervention in a wide range of diseases. Despite the success and growing use of relaxation-based treatments, few studies have addressed the basic mechanism by which these treatments work. This study will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to define the brain mechanisms underlying the meditative state, to differentiate this state from other states, and to determine how meditation-induced brain changes affect autonomic function.

Participants in this study will have an fMRI brain scan. Brain activity, breathing rate, and heart rate will be measured while the participant engages in three different activities: lying quietly, meditating, and mentally generating numbers.

Conditions

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Healthy

Keywords

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Meditation Relaxation

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

DEFINED_POPULATION

Study Time Perspective

OTHER

Interventions

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Meditation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Daily practice of Vipassana or Kundalini meditation for at least 1 year and participation in at least one 1-week meditation retreat

Exclusion Criteria

* Current medical or psychological illness
* Use of antidepressants, antianxiolytics, or compounds that alter cerebral blood flow
* Claustrophobia
* Pregnancy

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Principal Investigators

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Sara Lazar, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry

Locations

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Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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K01AT000694-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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