Online Trial of Meditation and Behavior

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study investigates how different types of meditation may affect behaviors and emotions. The study is conducted entirely online and involves listening to 4-weeks of a guided meditation training. The meditation involves either Loving-Kindness or Relaxation techniques. The purpose of the study is to assess changes in behaviors and emotions using standard questionnaires, reports of real-world behavior, and online behavioral tasks. The overarching goal is to help clarify how mind-body practices may improve some aspects of well-being.

Official Title
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Identifying Neural Correlates of Altruism

Conditions
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Meditation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Loving-Kindness Meditation
* Behavioral: Relaxation Meditation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Is a medically healthy individual Lives in the United States Has reliable internet access and the ability to join a Zoom video chat Exclusion Criteria: Has experience with meditation or other mind-body practices Has a neurological disease Has a current psychiatric disorder Is on medication that affects the central nervous system (e.g. psychotropic drugs) Has recurrent or chronic pain Is pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Loving-Kindness Meditation<br>4-week guided Loving-Kindness Meditation training (administered online). | Behavioral: Loving-Kindness Meditation<br>* Approximately 15-minute sessions are administered 6 days per week<br>* Other names: Metta Meditation;|
| Experimental: Relaxation Meditation<br>4-week guided Relaxation Meditation training (administered online). | Behavioral: Relaxation Meditation<br>* Approximately 15-minute sessions are administered 6 days per week<br>* Other names: Progressive Muscle Relaxation;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Social functioning | Participants will complete a questionnaire about their real-world social behaviors. An aggregate score will be computed; higher scores will indicate better social functioning. | 4-5 weeks | 
| Affective responses | Participants will perform a wall-sit test and responses will be measured using a 0-100 Visual Analog Scale of intensity. | 4-5 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Psychological well-being related to COVID-19 | Participants will complete a questionnaire related to the psychological impact of COVID-19 social distancing. Higher scores will indicate worse psychological impact of COVID-19. | 4-5 weeks |