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~~> Researchers Develop New Metrics for Measuring Mental States During Meditation

In a recent proof-of-principle study, researchers developed a new framework, based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, to identify mental states during meditation, including the focus-on-breath state and mind wandering, and to estimate how much time meditators spend in each state. The study—partially funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health—was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Read the full spotlight Here
~~~> ISMETA, The Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health, and The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
ISMETA has been working closely with the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health (of which we are a member) to provide comments to the U.S. National Institute of Health: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) 2021-2026 Strategic Plan. We will keep you posted with our progress.
If you know of similar agencies in your country, please contact us so we can plan to engage with them on behalf of Somatic Movement Education and Therapy worldwide.
In case you missed the live event, you can still watch the recording of the July 15th NCCIH Hot Topic Research Webinar here:
Probing Interoceptive Processes: Behavioral, Psychological, and Neurophysiological Levels
The discussion builds on the two-day NIH Blueprint Workshop that NCCIH facilitated with NIH’s Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) in 2019, The Science of Interoception, and sets the stage for continued research and discussion. You may also be interested in this message from NCCIH Director Dr. Helene Langevin and this summary of two NCCIH-funded studies on interoception in animal models.
This topic is central to our work in Somatic Movement. Please view the recording and if you have a chance please record any insights you might have at this link.
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ISMETA Outreach: Symposium Presented at Movement 2019 ~ Movement and Cognition Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel July 22-24, 2019
The ISMETA Research and Publications Committee is proud to share this video of the ISMETA Symposium held at the “Movement and Cognition Conference” in Tel Aviv, Israel this past July 2019. During this academic gathering, the latest installation in a series of conversations we facilitate on how to move the research agenda for somatic movement forward, four expert practitioners / researchers discussed, “The role of imagery, touch, and interoception in activating cortical and subcortical somatosensory circuits through somatic movement practices.”
ISMETA would like to express deep gratitude to all involved, particularly the presenters (bios below) and The Feldenkrais Guild of North America.
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ISMETA WEBINAR: Cultivating Neuroplasticity through Interoception in Somatic Movement Practices: Evolving Research Methods
Previously on September 4, 2018, ISMETA was honored to host a webinar based on the Symposium we first presented July 28,2018 at the Movement 2018: Brain, Body and Cognition Conference at Harvard Medical School.
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We are offering these recordings to all interested people and welcome your responses and questions at ResearchCommitteeChair@ismeta.org .
ISMETA is committed to building the base of evidence for Somatic Movement Education and Therapy through our continuing Research Initiative. Please consider joining ISMETA in this effort.
From strengthening the foundation of qualitative evidence through case studies, to building a body of quantitative data, ISMETA is committed to advancing our field through scientific investigations of the benefits of our work. To join in these conversations, please contact us at: ResearchCommitteeChair@ismeta.org .
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