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We are currently recruiting for 3 studies.
STUDY 1: Comparison of two stress reduction courses
Are You Stressed? Have you ever considered implementing a daily stress reduction technique into your life to relieve your stress? If so, we may be able to help: We are conducting a study comparing two stress reduction programs. Study participants will receive an eight week stress reduction course to be held at MGH for free (a $900 value). Classes are held one evening a week for 1.5 hours at MGH. The study does not require the use of any medications. Study participants are required to attend 3 laboratory sessions. Compensation will be up to $100 for completing all testing.
Eligibility criteria:
- 22 to 60 years old
- Good general health
- No significant previous experience with meditation or yoga
To enroll in the study or to obtain more information, please contact a study team member at 617-643-5078
Experienced Meditation and Yoga Practitioners
For the other two studies, we are looking for people who meditate in the Insight (a.k.a vipassana or mindfulness)
tradition or who practice Kripalu yoga to participate in our studies. The studies explore the subtle effects of meditation on
normal cognitive and emotional brain activity. Some of the studies use an MRI machine to take
pictures of the brain.
To enroll in the study or to obtain more information, please contact a study team member at 617-724-2256.
PURPOSE
The purpose of these studies are to learn about how regular practice of meditation and yoga
influences brain activity. The studies use a variety of standard laboratory tests to measure
attention, memory, and emotions. You can take breaks as necessary, or end participation at any time. All information collected is strictly
confidential.
WHO CAN ENROLL
We welcome all practitioners who meets the listed criteria, regardless of where you are on
your path or how adept you are. Our studies do not use monks. Rather our
goal is to understand the small but significant changes in everyday functioning that occur in
ordinary people who meditate or do yoga on a regular basis.
As you know, the practice of yoga and meditation can be complex, and many different lineages and
methods are practiced in the US. We believe that different practices will have subtle
differences on brain functioning, and so at this time are focusing on practitioners of just one style of meditation and one style of yoga.
We hope to gain funding in the future to compare different styles of
meditation and yoga, to see what is common and unique to each tradition.
BENEFITS
These studies will not benefit you directly. The greater benefit will be for others if this new
information obtained helps us understand how the brain functions. The results of these
studies may be published in a medical book or journal or used for teaching purposes.
However, your name and other identifiers will not be used in any publication or teaching materials.
Thank you for your consideration.
STUDY 2: Brain imaging of experienced meditators and yogis
The goal of this study is to understand how yoga and mediation changes the way the brain works.
Participants will have pictures taken of their brain and perform various tasks that
measure cognitive and emotional abilities.
Eligibility criteria:
- 40 to 75 years old
- Good general health
- Currently practicing Insight/Mindfulness meditation or Kripalu yoga 4-7 times/week (minimum of 2 years). Meditation practitioners need to have been on at least one 7-10 day retreat
The study will take place at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2 sessions, lasting 2-3
hours each (or one ~5 hours session with breaks if you prefer). Part of this study will
take place in an MRI scanner. The scanning portion of the study takes about 1.5 hours,
during which you will lie quietly and perform various tasks or rest while pictures are
taken of your brain. You will also be asked to meditate or imagine performing yoga postures. During the other part of the testing session you will perform various tasks on a computer. In addition, a packet of questionnaires will be sent to you
to complete before your arrival, which should take about an hour and a half to complete.
Compensation for your time will be $100. You will also receive a picture of your brain
that you can take home.
This study uses a method called functional MRI (fMRI) which is a technique for making
pictures of the brain in action. It uses magnetic fields to detect activity in your brain
during different mental tasks. Before being officially enrolled in the study, you will be
asked to answer some questions about your past and present state of health. Head trauma,
claustrophobia, metal within the body, or medications that alter brain metabolism will
prevent you from being enrolled in the study. You may request to end the study at any time.
If you are prone to claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or if you are or might be
pregnant, it is recommended that you do not participate in this MRI study. There are no
known or foreseeable risks or side effects associated with MRI procedures except to those
people who have electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implants (such as
cardiac pacemakers). The MRI systems have been approved by the FDA and have been in use
for over 15 years.
To enroll in the study or to obtain more information, please contact a study team member at 617-724-2256.
STUDY 3: Effect of a meditation retreat on attention, memory and emotion
Eligibility criteria:
- Good general health
- About to attend an Insight meditation retreat of at least 28 days
The participant can choose to do the testing either at Massachusetts General Hospital or at the Insight
Meditation Society in Barre MA. There will be one session lasting approximately 1.5 - 2
hours, during which you will complete various tests of attention, memory and emotional functioning.
In addition, a packet of questionnaires will be sent to you to complete before your arrival,
which should take about an hour to complete. Compensation for your time will be $20.
To enroll in the study or to obtain more information, please contact a study team member at 617-724-2256.
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