Project Soma: Cortical Activity of a Body Scan Meditation and Yoga Practice in Healthy Yogis

NCT06351787 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 22-X-97
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this 2-armed randomized cross-sectional experimental study of healthy participants with yoga experience, we will examine the relationship between 4 self-reported enhancing psychological factors, cortical activity captured with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and pain sensitivity (mechanical pressure pain tolerance) captured with algometry. Specifically, we will examine the correlates of interoceptive awareness and mindful awareness with cortical activity (Aim 1a) and pain tolerance (Aim 1b); determine cortical activity responsiveness of two brief awareness-focused meditations - a resting-based body scan practice and yoga practice (Aim 2a); characterize cortical activity profiles with sequentially delivered body scan and yoga practices (Aim 2b); and elucidate the relationship between interoceptive awareness with healthy emotionality and psychological wellbeing (Aim 3). Our central hypotheses are that (Aim 1a) higher interoceptive awareness and mindful awareness will moderately correlate with higher cortical activity for both awareness-focused meditation practices; (Aim 1b) individuals sub-grouped into the 'acceptance in action cluster' based on 2 self-report measures will exhibit higher pain tolerance; (Aim 2a) cortical activity will be higher in the yoga practice compared to the body scan practice; and (Aim 2b) higher cortical activity will be observed in the body scan-\>yoga intervention sequence compared to the yoga-\>body scan intervention sequence. Furthermore, (Aim 3) we predict that interoceptive awareness will moderately correlate with healthy emotionality and psychological well-being.

Conditions

Well-Being, Psychological

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Cortical activity

  Oxy-Hb and De-Oxy-Hb

  Baseline (T0)

• Interoceptive awareness

  Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA)

  Baseline (T0)

• Mindful awareness

  Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire - Short form (FFMQ-SF)

  Baseline (T0)

• Pressure pain threshold and tolerance

  Computerized pressure pain algometry applied over the ventral thenar eminence, 3 series of ascending stimulus intensities, applied as a slowly increasing ramp of 50 kPa/s. Pain threshold is defined as the first perception or detection of pain, or a numeric rating of 2 on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 = no sensation and 10 = worst imaginable pain. Pain tolerance is defined as the point of maximum tolerable pain, a numeric pain rating of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10.

  Baseline (T0)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Healthy emotionality

  Baseline (T0)

• Well-being

  Baseline (T0)

Study Arms (2)

Body scan

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will follow an audio-guided meditation in the sitting posture, which provides systematic verbal cues to draw their attention to different body parts to cultivate non-judgmental awareness. This will be performed in blocks of 2-minute increments, for up to 10 minutes, interspersed with 30-second periods of rest - where the participant will allow their mind to wander freely.

Behavioral: Resting and movement-based focused awareness meditations

Yoga

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will follow a video-guided yoga session in the standing posture, which provides verbal and visual cues to draw their attention to their body and breath during upright yoga postures. This practice occurs in 2-minute active intervals for up to 10 minutes, interspersed with 30-second rest to be consistent with the experimental block design.

Behavioral: Resting and movement-based focused awareness meditations

Interventions

Resting and movement-based focused awareness meditations BEHAVIORAL

Resting and movement-based focused awareness meditations

Body scan; Yoga

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Adults currently engaged in yoga

You may not qualify if:

• History of any neurological disorder that could impair brain function

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ohio University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ohio University

Athens, Ohio, 45701, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Study Officials

• Nicholas Karayannis

  Ohio University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A 2-armed randomized cross-sectional experimental study with 20 healthy participants who hold yoga experience.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2024
• First Posted: April 8, 2024
• Study Start: October 31, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 28, 2023
• Study Completion: June 28, 2023
• Last Updated: April 8, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-04

Locations

US (1)