Neural Correlates of Self

NCT03206840 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 69HCL17_02742017-A01923-50
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Despite the increasing popularity of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis in healthcare and in the general community the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. The change in the relationship between the self and the conscious experience that they bring about may be crucial. This study aims to identify the neural correlates of self-consciousness in meta-awareness and absorption - using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in healthy participants combined with detailed first-person experiential accounts and behavioural tasks. This study will provide important clues about the widely reported effects of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis and shed light on the neural correlates of the conscious experience of self.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers

Keywords

mindfulness meditation; hypnosis; meta-awareness; absorption; consciousness; self

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Reaction time (minutes)

  reaction times during behavioural tasks.

  at day 1

• Brain activation with IRM

  Activation of different brain areas, as measured with functional Magnetic Resonance

  At day 3

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• personality trait with questionnaires

  at day 2

• Scores during behavioural tasks

  at day 1

• Scores during behavioural tasks

  at day 3

• salivary volume (millimeter)

  at day 1

Study Arms (2)

Group 1

EXPERIMENTAL

three instructions will be given to each participant: "control", "meditation", "hypnosis". The order of "meditation" and "hypnosis" will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects.

Behavioral: "control", "meditation", "hypnosis".

Group 2

EXPERIMENTAL

three instructions will be given to each participant: "control", "meditation", "hypnosis". The order of "meditation" and "hypnosis" will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects.

Behavioral: "control", "meditation", "hypnosis".

Interventions

"control", "meditation", "hypnosis". BEHAVIORAL

three instructions will be given to each participant: "control", "meditation", "hypnosis". The order of "meditation" and "hypnosis" will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects.

Group 1; Group 2

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• aged 18-70
• Body mass index between 18.5 and 30
• Covered by health insurance
• motivated to participate
• signed informed consent
• normal or corrected-to-normal eyesight
• sufficient command of French to be able to follow the instructions

You may not qualify if:

• history of neurological or psychiatric conditions
• chronic pain or another medical condition altering pain perception
• use of medication that affects the central nervous system
• use of opioids or antidepressant medication
• severe auditory loss
• consumption of alcohol or intoxicants on the day of the experiments and the day preceding the experiments
• pregnancy, breastfeeding or having given birth \<6months ago
• any contra-indication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (metal implants or foreign bodies), agitation, claustrophobia

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospices Civils de Lyon: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hospices Civils de Lyon Hôpital le Vinatier/Inserm

Bron, 69500, France

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Lutz A. Regulation of attention and emotions by meditation: neurophysiological basis and implications for mental and physical health. In: 12th BIAL Foundation Symposium "Amplified states of consciousness"; 2018 Apr 6; Porto, Portugal. Lutz A. Méditation, hypnose… se soigner par la conscience. In: INSERM - Culture scientifique (webinar); 2022 Dec 13; Paris, France (online). Lutz A. Mindfulness meditation from the lenses of phenomenology and neurosciences. In: USC Center for Mindful Science - Invited lecture; 2022 Dec 12; Los Angeles (CA), USA. Lutz A. Neurophenomenology after Varela (1996). In: Metanoia/Ouroboros - Seminar; 2021 Sep 1; (online).

  RESULT

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Meditation; Hypnosis

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies; Relaxation Therapy; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Antoine LUTZ, PhD

  Lyon Neuroscience Research Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2017
• First Posted: July 2, 2017
• Study Start: October 26, 2017
• Primary Completion: November 12, 2018
• Study Completion: November 12, 2018
• Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

FR (1)