Investigation of Functional Brain Network in Altered Meditation State With Multimodal Neuroimaging

July 21, 2026 updated by: Shanghai Mental Health Center
The purpose of this study is to investigate functional brain network in altered meditation state with multimodal neuroimaging.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

  1. Recruiting participants by approaching mindfulness training, poster, and websites.
  2. Completing Questionnaires, Tests, and other materials for experiments.
  3. Examining Functional Brain Network of Internal and External Meditation of practitioners with a meditation using multimodal neuroimaging.
  4. Collecting and evaluating data about the connection of internal and external meditation with multimodal neuroimaging and identifying the function related to meditation state.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Shanghai Municipality
      • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200030
        • School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • A sufficient level of education to understand study procedure and be able to communicate with site personnel.
  • 18-60 years old.
  • Interested in meditation.
  • No metal or electronic implants in the body; no prosthesis (metal braces, dentures, etc.); no claustrophobia; no tattoos, piercings, etc.; no makeup on the day of the experiment.
  • Right-handed.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • The participant has a contraindication to MRI examination, such as claustrophobia.
  • The participant is physically unfit for MRI, such as having a metal implant.
  • The participant has a history of neurological or psychiatric disorders, or is taking any chronic medications that may interfere with the experiment.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Novice meditators
Participants who have no meditation practice in the previous year and less than 20 entire lifetime hours' meditation.
Device: external meditation guided audio
Examining DMN connectivity and CSF flow in external meditation state by External Meditation Instruction Audio.
Device: internal meditation guided audio
Examining DMN connectivity and CSF flow in external meditation state by Internal Meditation Instruction Audio.
Experimental: Experienced meditators
Participants with more than two years of mindfulness practice
Device: external meditation guided audio
Examining DMN connectivity and CSF flow in external meditation state by External Meditation Instruction Audio.
Device: internal meditation guided audio
Examining DMN connectivity and CSF flow in external meditation state by Internal Meditation Instruction Audio.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire(FFMQ)
Time Frame: Week 1
FFMQ is a validated, self-administered questionnaire that measures the tendency to act with mindfulness. Its 39 items are assessed on a Likert scale from 1 to 5 (i.e., "never or very rarely true" to "very often or always true"). The higher scores on the scale convey the higher tendency to act with mindfulness.
Week 1
CSF pulsation index
Time Frame: Week 1
CSF pulsation index, calculated by the number of CSF pulsation per minute.
Week 1
Functional connectivity
Time Frame: Week 1
Checking functional connectivity in major resting-state brain networks (such as DMN).
Week 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mindfulness positive awareness examined by Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)
Time Frame: Week 1
MAAS is a validated, fifteen-item self-report measure on which the items are scored using a six-point rating scale (1 = almost always and 6 = almost never). The global score of the scale is obtained by calculating the mean score of each participant's responses, and higher scores on the scale convey the higher levels of dispositional mindfulness.
Week 1
The ability of self-compassion examined by Self-Compassion Scale(SCS) after 1-week practice of internal and external mindfulness
Time Frame: Week 1
SCS is a validated, 26-item self-report measure on which the items are scored using a five-point Likert scale scored from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always). The higher total score on the scale indicates a higher level of self-compassion.
Week 1
Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI)
Time Frame: Week 1
CFI is a validated, self-reported measure of cognitive flexibility，which consists of 20 statements scored from 1 ( "definitely disagree") to 7( "definitely agree."). The scores for all items are pooled to generate a total score of 20 to 140. Higher total scores indicate the increasing level of cognitive flexibility.
Week 1
Perceived Stress Scale(PSS)
Time Frame: Week 1
PSS is a validated, self-reported measure of psychological stress level. There are 10-items scored from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). The scores for all items are pooled to generate a total score in the range of 0 to 40. Higher total scores indicate the increasing level of psychological stress.
Week 1
The Chinese version of Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory(FMI-13)
Time Frame: Week 1
FMI-13 is a validated, thirteen-item self-report measure on which the items are scored using a four-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). This short form was used for measuring mindfulness traits, and higher scores on the scale convey the higher levels of mindfulness trait.
Week 1

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cognitive impairment quantitative assessment by Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)
Time Frame: Week 0
MMSE is a validated, widely used screening tool for cognitive impairment quantitative assessment. It included 11 items. The scores for all items are pooled to generate a total score in the range of 0 to 30. A 27-point was proved to be an appropriate cutoff for cognitive impairment in a population with relatively high educational attainment.
Week 0
Intelligence assessment by Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM)
Time Frame: Week 0
SPM is a validated intelligence assessment that consists of 60 non-colored diagrammatic puzzles with a missing part, which subjects should correctly choose one among six options. SPM scores were estimated as the total of participants' correct answers (0-60). Higher total scores indicate the increasing level of intelligence level.
Week 0
Brief Profile of Mood States(Brief-POMS)
Time Frame: Week 1
The Brief-POMS is a validated,30-item measure, with items scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). The scores for all items are pooled to generate a total score in the range of 0 to 120. A higher total score on the scale indicates a worse mood state.
Week 1
Mental flexibility assessment by Trail Making Test (TMT)
Time Frame: Week 1
TMT is a validated mental flexibility assessment consisting of two parts (TMT-A and TMT-B ). The TMT-A consisted of a standardized page on which the numbers 1 to 25 were scattered within circles. The participants were asked to connect the numbers in order as quickly as possible. Similarly, the TMT-B consisted of a standardized page that included the numbers 1 to 13 and the letters A to L, which were randomly distributed. The participants were instructed to draw lines connecting numbers and letters (ascending and alphabetical) in alternating numbers and letters. A maximum time of 300 s was allowed before discontinuing the test. Direct scores of TMT were the time in seconds taken to complete each task (A and B). A Higher result indicates a worse cognitive outcome.
Week 1

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Shanghai Mental Health Center

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Qing Fan, Shanghai Mental Health Center
  • Study Chair: Jie Luo, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 20, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 30, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 14, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 18, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 25, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 21, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • B20200361

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings