Effectiveness of Four Deconstructive Meditative Practices on Well-being and Self-deconstruction

Summary

The efficacy of interventions based on mindfulness and compassion has been demonstrated in both clinical and general population, and in different social contexts. These interventions include so-called attentional and constructive meditation practices, respectively. However, unlike these, there is a third group, known as deconstructive meditation practices, which has not been scientifically studied. Deconstructive practices aim to undo maladaptive cognitive patterns and generate knowledge about internal models of oneself, others and the world. Although there are theoretical and philosophical studies on the origin of addiction to the self or on the mechanisms of action associated with the deconstruction of the self, there are no randomized controlled trials evaluating these techniques in either a healthy population or clinical samples. This study aims to evaluate the effect of three deconstructive techniques by comparing them to the practice of mindfulness in the general population.

A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) will be conducted with about 240 participants allocated (1:1:1:1) to four groups: a) mindful breathing, b) prostrations, according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition; c) the Koan Mu, according to Zen Buddhist tradition; and d) the mirror exercise, according to Toltec tradition. The primary outcome will be the qualities of the non-dual experience and spiritual awakening, measured by the Nondual Embodiment Thematic Inventory, assessed at pre and post-treatment and at 3 and 6-month follow ups. Other outcomes will be mindfulness, happiness, compassion, affectivity and altered state of consciousness. Outcomes at each time point will be compared using mixed-effects linear regression models adjusted for baseline scores, sex and age.

This is the first RCT to apply deconstructive meditation techniques to evaluate their effect on the general population. The positive results of this project may have an important impact on the development of new interventions, not only to improve happiness and well-being in healthy populations but also potentially for the prevention and treatment of psychological and medical disorders, creating a new paradigm in the context of third-generation psychological interventions.

Conditions

• Mental Health Wellness

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindful breathing

* Formal practice should take 30-60 minutes/day. It can be divided into as many as 4 sessions/day at times of participants' choosing, but the recommended times are after waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. * There is no limit to the number of times informal practice can be performed during the day. * Use of a diary is necessary to record the time and duration of all formal and informal practices. * The intervention will have a duration of 60 days. During this period, participants are to take part only in the intervention to which they have been randomized and no other. After this period of time and during the follow-up, participants will be able to practise any kind of meditation and at times of their choosing, but this information must always be recorded in their diary.

BEHAVIORAL

Prostrations, according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition

* Formal practice should take 30-60 minutes/day. It can be divided into as many as 4 sessions/day at times of participants' choosing, but the recommended times are after waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. * There is no limit to the number of times informal practice can be performed during the day. * Use of a diary is necessary to record the time and duration of all formal and informal practices. * The intervention will have a duration of 60 days. During this period, participants are to take part only in the intervention to which they have been randomized and no other. After this period of time and during the follow-up, participants will be able to practise any kind of meditation and at times of their choosing, but this information must always be recorded in their diary.

BEHAVIORAL

The Koan Mu, according to Zen Buddhist tradition

* Formal practice should take 30-60 minutes/day. It can be divided into as many as 4 sessions/day at times of participants' choosing, but the recommended times are after waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. * There is no limit to the number of times informal practice can be performed during the day. * Use of a diary is necessary to record the time and duration of all formal and informal practices. * The intervention will have a duration of 60 days. During this period, participants are to take part only in the intervention to which they have been randomized and no other. After this period of time and during the follow-up, participants will be able to practise any kind of meditation and at times of their choosing, but this information must always be recorded in their diary.

BEHAVIORAL

The mirror exercise, according to Toltec tradition

* Formal practice should take 30-60 minutes/day. It can be divided into as many as 4 sessions/day at times of participants' choosing, but the recommended times are after waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. * There is no limit to the number of times informal practice can be performed during the day. * Use of a diary is necessary to record the time and duration of all formal and informal practices. * The intervention will have a duration of 60 days. During this period, participants are to take part only in the intervention to which they have been randomized and no other. After this period of time and during the follow-up, participants will be able to practise any kind of meditation and at times of their choosing, but this information must always be recorded in their diary.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Miguel Servet

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-11

Primary Completion

2025-03-30

Completion

2025-12-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations