Holzel Et Al (methods, sample)

Question 1

What was the aim of the study?

Answer 1

• Investigate whether participation in an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course (MBSR)
• Could lead to changes in gray matter concentration in the brain.

Question 2

MBSR

Answer 2

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course
• An 8 week mindfulness based intervention

Question 3

What was the research method?

Answer 3

• Experiment
• Longitudinal design
• self reports

Question 4

How was the study an experiment?

Answer 4

• Certain aspects were conducted in a controlled MRI
• Some in a naturalistic enviroment

Question 5

What research design was used?

Answer 5

• Independent measures design (comparisons with control group)
• Longitudinal repeated measures design (pre intervention and post intervention comparisons)

Question 6

IV

Answer 6

Exposure to an 8 week mindfulness course (or not)

Question 7

DV

Answer 7

• Changes in grey matter assesed using MRI scans
• Ppts also completed a questionnare to measure 5 mindfulness scales before and after the intervention

Question 8

Data collection methods

Answer 8

• MRI scans (comparisons betwen groups)
• FFMQ (self report questionnare)
• Ppts were also asked to record the amount of time they spent engaged in mindfulness exercises at home each day.

Question 9

FFMQ

Answer 9

• 5 Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
• A 39 item questionnare that measures 5 scales of mindfulness including (observation, describing, acting with awareness, non judging, non reactivity)

Question 10

Sampling method

Answer 10

Opportunity sample

Question 11

Name some features of the sample across both groups

Answer 11

• Enrolled on the MBSR courses
• Enrolled to help with stress reduction
• Physically and psychologically healthy (no meds)
• Limited experience of meditation (none in the last 5/10 years or none)
• All safe to have an MRI scan (no metal implants/ claustrophobic)
• Committed to attend all sessions and complete HW

Question 12

Where were the ppts recruited from?

Answer 12

• Already enrolled on MBSR courses at the university of Massachusetts
• Self referred themselves
• Referred by their doctor to the course
• Enrolled to help with stress reduction

Question 13

Experimental group (sample)

Answer 13

• 16 ppts
• 6 males/ 10 females
• Mean age of 38
• 13 whites, 1 Asian, 1 AA, 1 multi ethnic
• 17.7 years in education

Question 14

Control group (sample)

Answer 14

• 17 ppts
• 11 males/ 6 females
• Mean age 39
• 13 whites, 2 asians, 2 AA, 1 Hispanic
• Average years in eductaion 17.3