Effects of Meditation Awareness Training on Psychosocial Functioning in Prison Participants

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an eight-week long group-based secular intervention known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT) on psychosocial functioning in prison participants.

Detailed Description
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In Western practitioner settings, Buddhist principles are increasingly being used in the treatment of a wide range of mental health issues. However, there is a dearth of high quality research examining the effects of Buddhist-derived interventions (BDIs) on mental health in forensic settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the salutary effects and acceptability of a secularised group-based eight-week BDI known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT) against relevant predictors of adaptive psychosocial functioning and mental health in violent offenders. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) design will be employed structured with reference to CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) 2010 guidelines. English speaking adult males (aged 18-65 years) serving indeterminate prison sentences for offences of instrumental violence at a category B prison will be invited to receive MAT on a voluntary basis. Computer-generated numbers will be used to randomly allocate prison participants (n=102 - based on statistical power calculations) to either an intervention or 'treatment as usual' (TAU) control condition. Measures will be taken pre- and post-intervention and at three-month follow-up to assess maintenance effects.

Official Title
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Effects of Meditation Awareness Training on Psychosocial Functioning in Prison Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Psychosocial Functioning

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Meditation Awareness Training
* Other: Treatment as usual


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult male (aged 18 to 65) English speaking Intact cognition(mini-mental status exam ≥23) Incarceration for an act of instrumental violence Evidence of self-harming and/or suicidal ideations and/or substance-use during the 12 months prior to the study. Exclusion Criteria: current participation in a program of structured psychotherapy or counselling any prior formal meditation training psychopharmacology commenced or dosage changed one-month prior to intervention (stable medication permitted)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Meditation Awareness Training<br> | Other: Meditation Awareness Training<br>* Psychotherapy Intervention<br>|
| Active Comparator: Treatment as Usual<br> | Other: Treatment as usual<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Risk of Reoffending |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Anger levels |  |  | 
| Self-esteem |  |  | 
| Substance-use locus of control |  |  | 
| Self-harming |  |  | 
| Affective mood states |  |  |