Meditation and mindfulness studies
13 November 2009
Participants required for research into meditation and mindfulness at LJMU.
Dr Paul Lattimore, Dr Peter Malinowski and Adam Moore of LJMU's School of Natural Sciences and Psychology are looking for potential participants for two research studies that aim to develop an understanding of the underlying processes of mindfulness.
Mindfulness may be both inherent and/or trained and has been described as ‘the ability to pay deliberate attention to our experience from moment to moment, to what is going on in our mind, body and day to day life and doing this without immediate judgment.’ Mindfulness techniques are being increasingly used in psychology to help alleviate a variety of physical and mental conditions.
Online survey
Dr Paul Lattimore and Dr Peter Malinowski are conducting an online survey to investigate the relationship between naturally occurring mindfulness, control of eating and impulsiveness. Previous research indicates that if people can be more mindful then they may gain greater control over impulses to overeat. Eligible participants can enter a prize draw to win a voucher, worth between £25 and £100. This study is currently ongoing and enrolment is open to interested individuals.
EEG study
Dr Peter Malinowski and Adam Moore are conducting a 6-month EEG study that aims to investigate the relationship between mindfulness meditation, attention and brain activity. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a meditation group or a non-meditation control group and must be willing and able to attend LJMU on 6 occasions to have their brain activity monitored (EEG recordings) whilst they complete questionnaires and tests of attention. Participants do not require any prior meditation experience. Participants in the meditation group will receive initial meditation training and will be required to meditate regularly for brief periods over a period of 3 months. After the study, interested participants from the control group would be offered meditation training. Participants will be reimbursed the equivalent of £10 per hour in shopping vouchers. Enrolment is open now and the study is due to start in January 2010.
If you would like to take part in either of these studies or for more detailed information please visit: www.ljmu.ac.uk/mindfulness
