RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06136676

From the Heart: Comparing the Effects of Spiritual and Secular Meditation on Psychophysiology, Cognition, Mental Health, and Social Functioning in Healthy Adults

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

Sponsor

Coventry University

Enrollment

288 participants

Start Date

Jun 6, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Pain Depression Stress Anxiety Prosocial Behavior Forgiveness Empathy Attention Mental Well-being

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of Christian and Islamic heart-centred spiritual meditation to mindfulness meditation and waitlist control conditions, respectively, in healthy adults. The potential effects will be studied at multiple levels, with a focus on psychophysiology, cognition, mental health, and social functioning.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 60 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study compares the effects of spiritual meditation (Christian or Islamic prayer-based) versus secular (non-religious) meditation on stress, mental health, brain activity, and social functioning in healthy adults. It aims to understand whether the religious or spiritual element of meditation adds unique psychological or physiological benefits beyond relaxation techniques alone. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18 to 60 years old - You can speak and understand English - You identify as Christian or Muslim and pray at least weekly (for the spiritual meditation groups) - You are willing to be randomly assigned to one of the study conditions - You are a healthy adult with no current mental health conditions or serious physical illness **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You currently have a mental health condition or take psychiatric medications - You have a serious chronic illness (liver, kidney, brain disease, etc.) - You have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or Raynaud syndrome - You currently take anxiety or mood-stabilizing medications Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALArm 1 - Heart-Centred Spiritual Meditation: Christian contemplation

Participants assigned to this condition will receive daily audio instructions of approximately 20 minutes daily over the course of 8 weeks focused on Christian contemplation delivered through a mobile app. The intervention will consist of a core contemplative practice focused on heart visualisation based on Christian tradition and prayer recitation with breathing to focus their attention on and connection to God.

BEHAVIORALArm 1 - Heart-Centred Spiritual Meditation: Islamic contemplation

Participants assigned to this condition will receive daily audio instructions of approximately 20 minutes daily over the course of 8 weeks, focused on Islamic contemplation delivered through a mobile app. The intervention will consist of a core contemplative practice focused on heart visualisation based on Islamic tradition and prayer recitation with breathing to focus attention on and connection to God.

BEHAVIORALArm 2 - Action Control: Mindfulness Meditation

Participants assigned to this condition will receive daily audio instructions of approximately 20 minutes daily over the course of 8 week, focused on mindfulness meditation delivered through a mobile app. The intervention will consist of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program which emphasizes focused attention on breathing and sensations as well as the practice of non-judgemental acceptance of the present experience.