Undersøkelse av funksjonelt hjernenettverk i endret meditasjonstilstand med multimodal nevroimaging

Eksperimentell: Novice meditators

Participants who have no meditation practice in the previous year and less than 20 entire lifetime hours' meditation.

Enhet: ekstern meditasjonsguidet lyd

Undersøker DMN-tilkobling og CSF-flyt i ekstern meditasjonstilstand ved hjelp av ekstern meditasjonsinstruksjonslyd.

Enhet: intern meditasjonsguidet lyd

Undersøker DMN-tilkobling og CSF-flyt i ekstern meditasjonstilstand ved hjelp av Internal Meditation Instruction Audio.

Eksperimentell: Experienced meditators

Participants with more than two years of mindfulness practice

Enhet: ekstern meditasjonsguidet lyd

Undersøker DMN-tilkobling og CSF-flyt i ekstern meditasjonstilstand ved hjelp av ekstern meditasjonsinstruksjonslyd.

Enhet: intern meditasjonsguidet lyd

Undersøker DMN-tilkobling og CSF-flyt i ekstern meditasjonstilstand ved hjelp av Internal Meditation Instruction Audio.

Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire(FFMQ)

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.

CSF pulsation index

CSF pulsation index, calculated by the number of CSF pulsation per minute.

Functional connectivity

Checking functional connectivity in major resting-state brain networks (such as DMN).

Mindfulness positive awareness examined by Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)

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.

The ability of self-compassion examined by Self-Compassion Scale(SCS) after 1-week practice of internal and external mindfulness

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.

Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI)

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.

Perceived Stress Scale(PSS)

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.

The Chinese version of Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory(FMI-13)

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.

Cognitive impairment quantitative assessment by Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)

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.

Intelligence assessment by Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM)

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.

Brief Profile of Mood States(Brief-POMS)

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.

Mental flexibility assessment by Trail Making Test (TMT)

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.