Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Hypnosis and Mindfulness Meditation

Resting State Functional MRI Investigation of Hypnotic Trance and Mindfulness Meditation

Hypnotic trance and mindfulness meditation have both been shown to have benefits for physical health. The current study seeks to determine if there are distinct patterns of brain activity that correlate with hypnotic trance, mindfulness meditation or both, and to relate these patterns to measurable markers of physical well-being. Precise neuroimaging of heightened attentional states will guide future researchers and practitioners toward more effective techniques of mind/body control.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Hypnosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Hypnosis; Behavioral: Meditation

Detailed Description

Our goal is to determine the functional brain networks that define and distinguish two induced states of sustained attention -- hypnosis and mindfulness -- that may be of substantial relevance to medicine.

Defining the neural underpinnings of these states would have broad implications for understanding how cognitive states emerge from functional networks, how they affect peripheral autonomic nervous system activity, and how their therapeutic efficacy can be optimized.

We propose a functional MRI study using resting state methodology to study 20-40 subjects from each of the four following groups:

1. Highly hypnotizable subjects
2. Minimally hypnotizable subjects
3. Experienced mindfulness meditators
4. Novice mindfulness meditators. The ability to be hypnotized is a stable and measurable trait that can be pre-screened and quantified. Dr. Spiegel will select subjects according to their ability to be hypnotized prior to the MRI visit (see ?recruiting? below). We will seek greatest contrast between groups by enrolling those with the highest (8-10) and lowest (0-2) scores on the Hypnotic Induction Profile. The presence of a poorly hypnotizable group allows for a control condition of those who have undergone an identical induction routine without achieving hypnotic trance. Similarly, novice meditators will serve as a control for the group experienced in mindfulness meditation.

Prior studies have shown differences in both brain activation and grey matter volume associated with longer practice of meditation (> 4 years) compared with novice meditators. As such, experienced meditators will be defined as those with a regular meditation practice of four years or longer. Novice meditators will be new practitioners who are interested in mindfulness meditation practice, and who completed a one-hour meditation training during the week before their study participation.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 102

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Stanford, California, United States, 94305
      • Stanford University School of Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy subjects who score in diverse ranges on hypnotic induction profiles or who are experienced Mindfulness Meditators.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must not have contraindications to the MRI exam, such as metal in the body.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to the MRI exam, such as metal in the body.
• Use of psychotropic medications.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
MRI scan: brain activity	1 hour

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Stanford University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 1, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): June 3, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 3, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 2, 2013
• Last Verified: December 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: healthy subjects
• Other Study ID Numbers: SU-05252010-6143; 17562