Clinical Research Directory

Comparative Effects of Meditation, Nature Exposure, and Digital Activities on Physiological and Perceived Stress

The present study aims to compare the effects of meditation, nature exposure, digital scrolling, and reading on physiological and perceived stress. Participants will undergo a baseline assessment including the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for anxiety, and salivary cortisol collection at 8:30 a.m, prior to cortisol peak. Participants will then engage in one of four activities: guided meditation, a walk in a forest environment, digital scrolling on a smartphone, or reading a neutral text. Following the activity, salivary cortisol will be collected again and anxiety will be reassessed using the VAS. The study will evaluate changes in cortisol levels, perceived stress and perceived anxiety across the four conditions and explore the potential moderating role of baseline mindfulness traits. The central research question of this study is whether different experiential conditions elicit distinct psychophysiological responses, as reflected by changes in perceived stressm salivary cortisol and perceived anxiety and therefore this investigation could improve the understanding of how different experiential contexts influence short-term stress regulation.

Meditation and Psychophysical Well-Being in Elderly

The goal of this experimental study is to assess whether a mindfulness-based meditation intervention can reduce loneliness and improve psychophysical well-being in older adults (aged 65 and above). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the intervention reduce the perception of loneliness in older adults? (primary outcome) * Does it improve various aspects of psychological well-being, including social isolation, depression, life satisfaction, mindfulness, emotional regulation, self-acceptance, and sleep quality? (secondary outcomes) Researchers will compare the intervention group with a passive control group (waiting-list control) to determine whether the mindfulness-based intervention leads to significant improvements in the measured outcomes. Participants will: Complete baseline assessments, including neuropsychological tests and validated questionnaires, before the intervention. Undergo a 12-session mindfulness-based intervention over 6 weeks, consisting of guided breathing, focused attention, physical relaxation, and emotional awareness exercises. Complete post-intervention assessments to measure changes in their psychological and physiological well-being.