Mindfulness
June 2022
Danielle Giachos, Myrella Paschali, Michael Datko et al.
Various active control interventions for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) have been developed, though many can fall short in controlling for non-specific or placebo effects. We developed a Nature-Based Stress Reduction (NBSR) program based on previously reported positive results from virtual natural environment exposure on mental health. In the present study, we validated the nature...
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
2019
Rebecca Erwin Wells, Catherine E. Kerr, Michelle L Dossett et al.
Background/objective: High levels of chronic stress negatively impact the hippocampus and are associated with increased incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease. While mindfulness meditation may mitigate the effects of chronic stress, it is uncertain if adults with MCI have the capacity to learn mindfulness meditation. Methods: 14 adults with MCI were randomized 2:1...
Perspectives in biology and medicine
2018
Ted J Kaptchuk
Open-label placebos (OLP)-placebo pills honestly prescribed-have challenged the notion that placebos require either deception or concealment to evoke salubrious benefits. This essay describes how the author arrived at the counter-intuitive OLP hypothesis, discusses evidence for OLP effectiveness, and examines mechanistic explanations for OLP. Current dominant theories such as expectation and...
Neuroscience Letters
November 27, 2013
Rebecca Erwin Wells, Gloria Y Yeh, Catherine E. Kerr et al.
Those with high baseline stress levels are more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). While meditation may reduce stress and alter the hippocampus and default mode network (DMN), little is known about its impact in these populations. Our objective was to conduct a "proof of concept" trial to determine whether Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)...
Neurology
February 12, 2013
R. Wells, Gloria Y Yeh, C. Kerr et al.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) would improve functional connectivity of the DMN and reduce hippocampal atrophy among adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Consciousness and Cognition
March 11, 2011
C. Kerr, J. Shaw, L. Conboy et al.
Evidence that placebo acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic pain presents a puzzle: how do placebo needles appearing to patients to penetrate the body, but instead sitting on the skin’s surface in the manner of a tactile stimulus, evoke a healing response? Previous accounts of ritual touch healing in which patients often described enhanced touch sensations (including warmth,...