If you are interested in participating in one of the following research studies, please contact the study coordinator listed. Please be sure to include your name, phone number and/or email address, and the best time and way (phone/email) to reach you. Current research projects in this area include:
The UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention is conducting a research study on UW smokers age 18-25 who want to quit smoking. The study will use interactive learning and meditation as new approaches to managing addiction. It will start in January 2007 and will provide instruction in meditation and addiction education to help smokers quit smoking.
Basic eligibility criteria: 18-25 years old; smoker.
Study location:
Compensation: Reimbursement for participation is available; up to $120 for completion of the study with a chance to win $500.
Contact: Call 265-5233 or email MTA@ctri.medicine.wisc.edu. A downloadable flier is available (PDF).
This study examines the effects of meditation on attention and well-being. Participation will involve 1-3 visits to the Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience at UW (about 2 hours each). It entails filling out a few questionnaires, and practicing three basic types of meditation while your brain activity is recorded. You will receive brief instructions on the meditations being preformed and will be asked to meditate at home for 20 minutes per day for 7 days prior to the recording session(s).
Basic eligibility criteria: Males 30-65 years old, who have an interest in, but no experience with meditation, have no ongoing illicit drug use and have no psychiatric diagnosis.
Study location: Brogden Psychology Building, 1202 W. Johnson, Madison, WI
Compensation: Reimbursement for participation is available at $10/hour.
Contact: email meditation_brain_research@yahoo.com or call 608- 890-0233. Please identify the title of the study you are interested in participating in in your message.
Description: This study looks at the effects of training in cognitive reappraisal (similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy) and compassion meditation on emotion regulation to aversive pictures. The training entails listening to a CD or a CD with an accompanying written assignment for 30 minutes a day for two weeks. Response to aversive pictures will be indexed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), psychophysiological measures, a number of self-report measures, and an economic task before and after training. You will need to go to the Waisman Center for approximately 7 hours in 3 visits to complete the mock fMRI scan (Visit 1), self-report measures (Visit 2 and 3), fMRI scan (Visit 2 and 3), and economic games (Visit 3). 2 weeks of training will occur between Visit 2 and Visit 3.
Compensation: $125 for full completion of the study. You may earn between $5-$50 each time you play an economic game.
Inclusion Criteria: 18-45 years of age, ability to make time commitment, English speaking, right-handed, willing to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria: metal implants or failure of MRI safety screen, prior psychiatric or neurological disorder, current psychiatric medications, claustrophobia, pregnancy, previous experience in meditation or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Contact: Helen Weng at compreg@gmail.com
Note: Daily practice is essential for this study. If you do not have the time to do the daily training, please do not participate.