Dynamic Neural Systems Underlying Social-emotional Functions in Older Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · Dec 7, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a digital meditation program delivered through an app can help improve the emotional well-being of lonely older adults. Researchers are particularly interested in understanding how this meditation affects the brain and body by using advanced imaging techniques. If you're an older adult aged 60 or over, fluent in English, and have little to no experience with meditation, you may be eligible to participate.

Participants in the trial will engage in meditation through the app while researchers monitor their emotional responses and brain activity. It's important to note that individuals with certain medical conditions, severe mental health issues, or those who have previously meditated regularly are not eligible. This study aims to provide insights into how meditation may help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve emotional health in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 60 years of age or older
• • English language fluency
• • Naive to meditation practices (not actively meditating more than one hour per month and/or meditation practice for less than a year in their entire life-time)
• • No MRI contra-indications
• • Cognitively healthy (no diagnosis of dementia, stroke, developmental disorders, or major systemic diseases that may impact cognitive function)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Below 60 years of age
• • Not fluent in English
• • Active meditator (meditating more than one hour per month and/or meditation practice for more than a year in their entire life-time).
• • Presence of a severe psychiatric (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD), neurological (epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, dementia, multiple sclerosis), or developmental disorder (e.g. autism)
• • Systemic disease (e.g. major recent surgeries, cancer)
• • Claustrophobia
• • Contraindications for MR safety (e.g. metal in body, cochlea implants)

Trial Officials