Exploring the effects of a meditation practice on brain health
Brain Health With Inner Engineering- Longitudinal Study of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya Meditation (BLISS)
NA · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NCT05455814
This study is testing whether a 21-minute meditation practice can improve brain health and thinking skills in people as they age.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05455814 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of a 21-minute meditation practice called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya on brain health and cognitive function. Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques such as functional MRI and EEG, the research aims to quantify changes in brain age associated with meditation. The study seeks to identify objective neural biomarkers that could support the clinical application of meditation-based interventions. By understanding the physiological effects of meditation, the project hopes to provide safe and accessible solutions for promoting brain health, especially as the population ages.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 20-65 who can understand study instructions and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of psychiatric illness, cognitive decline, or regular meditation practice in the past six months may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could offer a non-invasive method to improve brain health and cognitive function through meditation.
How similar studies have performed: While meditation has been linked to improved brain health in previous studies, the specific approach of using EEG sleep measures in meditators is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals between the ages of 20-65 years. * Subjects will be required to be able to understand study instructions and provide informed consent. * Currently residing in Massachusetts. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English Speaking. (Justification: Meditation and cognitive assessment instruments are not validated in a sufficient range of languages, and the research team lacks polylingual capabilities or the financial resources to hire interpreters for the duration of all proposed assessments.) * Practicing meditation regularly for the past 6 months (3 or more times per week of practice regularly for the past 6 month). * History of psychiatric illness such as severe anxiety, severe depression, Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. * History of any form of cognitive decline or neurological conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, brain tumors, brain surgery. * Current use of cognition enhancing drugs * Current management for chronic pain. * History (within the last 5 years) of stroke/aneurysm. * Active history (within the last 5 years) of alcohol or drug abuse (\> 10 drinks per week). * Current pregnancy or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months. * Currently enrolled in another interventional study that could impact the primary outcome, as determined by the PI. * Educational attainment below high school level or equivalent. * Significant visual impairment. Women of childbearing potential will be included as the intervention and the procedures in the study have minimal risks. There will be no enrollment exclusions based on sex, racial or ethnic factors. If a woman becomes pregnant during the course of the study and is willing to stay as a subject, MRI will not be conducted.
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Balachundar Subramaniam, MD, MPH — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Balachundar Subramaniam, MD, MPH
- Email: sadhgurucenter_research@bidmc.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-667-2721
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: Meditation, Brain, Agenesis, Functional MRI, EEG, Structural MRI, Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, Mindfulness