Comparing Christian and Islamic meditation with mindfulness on mental health and social functioning
From the Heart Multi-Centre Study: Comparing the Effects of Spiritual and Secular Meditation on Psychophysiology, Cognition, Mental Health, and Social Functioning in Healthy Adults
NA · Coventry University · NCT06136676
This study is testing whether heart-centered meditation based on Christian and Islamic traditions can improve mental health and social functioning in healthy adults compared to mindfulness meditation and a waitlist group.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 288 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Coventry University (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Calicut, Kerala and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06136676 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of heart-centred spiritual meditation based on Christian and Islamic traditions compared to mindfulness meditation and a waitlist control in healthy adults. It aims to assess outcomes across multiple domains, including psychophysiology, cognition, mental health, and social functioning. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the meditation conditions or the control group, with a focus on understanding the broader impacts of these practices. The study will also explore external correlates such as perspective-taking and spiritual experiences.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18 to 60 who identify as Christian or Muslim and engage in weekly prayer.
Not a fit: Patients with current mental health conditions or serious physical medical problems may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance mental health and social functioning through tailored meditation practices.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with mindfulness meditation, but the specific comparison of spiritual meditations is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 to 60 years old * able to read, speak and understand English * willing to be randomly assigned to all the conditions, with religious affiliation restricting allocation to either the Christian or Islamic type of spiritual meditation conditions * consider oneself to be a Christian or Muslim and pray at least weekly Exclusion Criteria: * currently suffer from any mental health conditions or use medication to manage mental health conditions * long-term serious physical medical problems, such as liver, brain, kidney, or other life-threatening chronic diseases * a history of a heart condition, high blood pressure, Raynaud syndrome, diabetes, or musculoskeletal condition * the current use of anxiolytics/mood stabilizers.
Where this trial is running
Calicut, Kerala and 1 other locations
- Little Flower Institute of Social Sciences and Health (LISSAH) college — Calicut, Kerala, India (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
- Kuriakose Elias College Mannanam — Kottayam, Kerala, India (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Chung Fei Ng
- Email: fei0929@gmail.com
- Phone: 4407598137034
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Prosocial Behavior, Forgiveness, Empathy, Pain, Attention, Depression, Stress, Anxiety