Short mindfulness program to try to boost creativity
The Effect of Focused Attention and Open Monitoring Meditation on Creativity in Scientific Researchers
This 5-day program will try whether focused-attention or open-monitoring meditation can boost creativity in academic researchers compared with listening to audio recordings.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 111 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Zhejiang University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) |
| Trial ID | NCT07102953 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants are assigned to one of three groups — focused-attention meditation, open-monitoring meditation, or an audio-listening control — and complete daily practice for five days. They visit the research center three times for testing, during which brain activity is recorded with EEG and creativity tasks are administered. Participants also keep a daily log of their practice and engagement. Researchers will compare changes in creative performance and EEG measures across the three groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are graduate students or other academic research staff (e.g., postdocs, research assistants) aged 18–64 who can attend in-person lab visits and are not currently taking mood-altering medications or enrolled in other mindfulness programs.
Not a fit: People with recent suicidal ideation, severe mental disorders, those taking excluded medications, those unable to attend in-person visits, or those not in academic research roles may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a short, low-cost method to improve creative thinking and related brain activity among researchers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies have shown mixed but promising results, with some evidence that open-monitoring meditation can enhance divergent thinking, though results are not yet conclusive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Currently enrolled graduate students (Master's or PhD) or other research personnel (e.g., postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, or academic researchers). * Aged 18 years or older and under 65 years. * No current diagnosis of severe mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder). * Not currently taking mood-stabilizing medication (e.g., SSRIs), to avoid confounding effects on mindfulness training and EEG outcomes Exclusion Criteria: * Simultaneously participating in other mindfulness-based psychological intervention programs or courses that cannot be paused during the study period. * Suicidal ideation or planning reported within the past two weeks. * Inability to attend in-person assessments at the laboratory site. * Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.
Where this trial is running
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Westlake University — Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rong Li, Assisstant researcher
- Email: lirong13@westlake.edu.cn
- Phone: 086+134 66529411
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.