Studies linking meditation and brain structure are still relatively sparse, but the hippocampus is consistently implicated as one of the structures altered in meditation practitioners. To explore hippocampal features in the framework of meditation, we analyzed high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging data from 30 long-term meditators and 30 controls, closely matched for sex, age,...
The aim of the current study is to investigate structural changes on brain MRI using voxel based morphometry (VBM) related to an eight-week mindfulness based intervention (MBI) in Parkinson's Disease (PD). A total of 27 out of 30 PD patients completed a randomized controlled longitudinal trial. Fourteen patients participated in a structured eight-week program of MBI. Thirteen patients received...
A voluminous amount of research on the multi-faceted complex process of meditation is now available. Meditation [Dhyan], an ancient Indian art and science of healing, has an immense potential to liberate the mankind from the Stress Associated Diseases [SADs] which, today, are addressed as Noninfectious Chronic Diseases [NCDs]. But unfortunately the Conclusion from the currently available...
Meditation is now recognized as a different physiological state scientifically as relaxed & calm mind with parasympathetic dominance.This study is performed on two expert meditators of sahaj yoga kundalini meditation. Objectives of this study is to find out whether regular meditation practice could lead to rapid “stress reduction” & control over autonomic nervous system. Method: Various...
Background: In the present era, delinquency in children and adolescents is undoubtedly a difficult and upsetting issue attracting the attention of many experts such as psychologists, sociologists, and criminologists. These experts often try to answer why a number of children and adolescents engage in various crimes such as aggressive and anti-social crimes. They also try to find out how these...
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)...
PsicooncologíaNovember 25, 2013Concha León, Rosanna Mirapeix, Tomás Blasco et al.
Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention versus a psychoeducational standard intervention in oncological patients. Method: MBSR intervention was applied following a 2’5 h-session schedule, across 10 weekly sessions. Patients (n= 20) had to practice mindfulness daily at home during 45 minutes. In the psychoeducational group (n=17) a...
This article reports a randomized controlled trial to investigate whether mindfulness training can successfully improve inner peace in participants with no known mental disorder. Fifty-seven participants were randomized to either mindfulness training (n = 29) or wait-list control (n = 28). The experience sampling method was used to measure the fleeting momentary experience of inner peace in...
Mary Kept These Things, Pondering Them in Her Heart:Breastfeeding as Contemplative Practice and Source for Theology Elizabeth Gandolfo (bio) Throughout the history of Christianity, women have engaged in sustained theological reflection on experiences—of God, themselves, and the world—that they have undergone in the course of practices of contemplation. Contemplative women of the past were not...
Abstract: This entry provides an introduction to mindfulness as a therapeutic practice applied within social work, including in mental health and health settings. It describes and critiques mindfulness-based practices regarding definitions, history, current practices, best practices research, and ethical issues related to using evidence-based practices, acquiring competence, addressing social...