An Online Course in Contemplative Neuroscience Increases Dispositional Mindfulness and Reduces Meditation Barriers
Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education January 1, 2022 Uta Wolfe, Temmy Batoyun
A short-term, asynchronous online course in contemplative neuroscience improved students' mindfulness and reduced their perceived barriers to meditation, as measured by the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and the Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory. Students also rated the course as highly effective for learning neuroscience. A comparison group taking an online general psychology course showed no increase in mindfulness and a significantly smaller reduction in meditation barriers. The findings suggest that online delivery of contemplative neuroscience can provide both academic and social-emotional benefits, potentially reaching a more diverse student body.