Purpose of the Study This clinical trial aims to find out whether a 5-day mindfulness training program can help improve creativity in academic researchers. The study focuses on answering these key questions: Can focused-attention (FA) and open-monitoring (OM) meditation boost creativity in academic researchers? Do FA and OM meditation have different effects on creativity? How does the training affect brain activity (measured by electrical signals)? Researchers will compare the effects of FA and OM meditation with a control group that listens to audio recordings, to see which method-if any-helps improve creativity. What Participants Will Do Join one of three groups: FA meditation, OM meditation, or audio listening (control), and take part in daily practice for 5 days. Come to the research center for testing three times. Keep a daily log of how they engage with the training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
111
This is a type of mindfulenss meditation, which instructes participants to keep focusing on own breathing with a sitting and rest posture.
This is a type of mindfulenss meditation, which instructs participants to stay aware of their vision with a sitting and rest posture.
Participants listen to stories about creativity with a sitting and rest posture.
Westlake University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
RECRUITINGDivergent thinking
Divergent thinking, a key component of creativity, will be assessed using the Alternative Uses Task (AUT). In this test, participants are asked to think of as many different uses as possible for a common object-like a brick, knife, or pillow-within a limited time. The scores including three factors: fluency, flexibility, and originality, which will be gained via TranDis, a semantic distance scoring system based on transformer-based language models.
Time frame: Pre- and post- assessments after a 15-min training at Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice), and follow-up (1 month after 5-day practice).
Convergent thinking
Convergent thinking, a key component of creativity, will be measured by the Remote Associate Test (RAT). In this test, participants are given three words and must identify a fourth word that links all three.
Time frame: Pre- and post- assessments after a 15-min training at Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice), and follow-up (1 month after 5-day practice).
EEG
Quantitative EEG power spectral density (PSD) across frequency bands (delta: 0.5-4 Hz, theta: 4-8 Hz, alpha: 8-13 Hz, beta: 13-30 Hz, gamma: \>30 Hz) will be measured at Day 7 (post-intervention). Absolute and relative power in each band will be extracted from resting-state EEG (eyes closed), task-state EEG (15-min mindfulness or control), and task-state EEG during creativity tests, recorded at standardized scalp locations. Changes in spectral power will be used as indicators of neurophysiological responses to the mindfulness training.
Time frame: During the whole tests at Day7 (after 5-day practice)
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is assessed using the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS). The PHLMS is a 20-item scale with two factors named Awareness and Acceptance. Participants will rate on a 5-point scale (1 = never, 5 = very often) according to the frequency that they experienced the described item within the past week. The score range for the PHLMS is 20 to 100.
Time frame: Assessments at Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice), and follow-up (1 month after 5-day practice).
Metacognition
Cognitive Self-Consciousness (CSC), a subscale of the Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ), will be used to assess participants' tendency to monitor and reflect upon their own thinking processes. The subscale includes 6 items. Participants rate statements such as "I am constantly aware of the way my mind works" on a 4-point scale (1 = do not agree, 5 = agree very much). The score range is 6 to 30.
Time frame: At Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice), and follow-up (1 month after 5-day practice).
Attention
Sustained attention will be measured using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). The SART is a computerized test for the measurement of sustained attention and response inhibition. Participants' performance will be evaluated by the time of response and the correct rate.
Time frame: Assessments at Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice).
Depression
Depression will be assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 is a 4-point scale (0 = Not at all, 3 = Nearly every day) with 9 items. The score range is 0 to 27.
Time frame: Assessments at Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice), and follow-up (1 month after 5-day practice).
Anxiety
Anxiety will be measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scle (GAD-7). It is a 4-point scale (0 = Not at all, 3 = Nearly every day) with 7 items. The score range is 0 to 21.
Time frame: Pre- and post- assessments after a 15-min training at Day1 (before 5-day practice), Day7 (after 5-day practice), and follow-up (1 month after 5-day practice).
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