All Studies · Mechanism (cross-domain) · Simon (2017)

Simon (2017)

Moderate · Mechanism/Methods Study · Mechanism (Neuroimaging/Biomarker) · n = 24
Quality Index (Adjusted QI) 0.672
0 Low < 0.56 Moderate 0.56–0.77 High ≥ 0.78 1
Study Details
ConditionDMN suppression during mantra meditation; Secular novice participants
Clinical domainMechanism (cross-domain)
PopulationHealthy adults
Sample sizen = 24
Country / SettingSweden - neuroimaging research (Linköping University)
Protocol clusterGeneral/Varied KY
Duration2 weeks; 6 sessions (3/week); 90 min each
Control type—
ComparatorN/A - No control group
Outcomes & Effect Sizes
Primary outcomeBrain function (fMRI/SPECT/PET)
Scales usedSpiritual Wellbeing Scale; self-compassion; mindfulness
Key resultSpiritual wellbeing increased; self-compassion increased; mindfulness increased
Effect sized = 0.61 (spiritual wellbeing); small-moderate effect
ES value0.61 (d)
Retention88% (21/24 completed)
SafetyNo adverse events; positive wellbeing outcomes
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Methodological Summary

Pre-post pilot; wellbeing focus; small sample

KY Protocol Components

Kundalini Yoga — fMRI Study of Default Mode Network Suppression DESIGN: Pre-post fMRI study (within-subjects). POPULATION: Participants completed 6 KY sessions during 2 weeks (3 sessions/week). SESSION STRUCTURE: • Each session: 90 minutes total • Yoga exercises followed by mantra meditation (11 minutes) • Mantra meditation: Left and right hands placed over heart, repeating "Sat Nam" mantra fMRI TASK: Mantra meditation vs. finger-tapping control task. KEY FINDING: Over 2-week training period, participants decreased activations in DMN subregions (pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and precuneus) during mantra meditation. NOTE: This is a neuroimaging mechanism study from the Simon lab at Harvard/MGH. Same research group as Simon 2021 (JAMA Psychiatry GAD trial). Focus is on neural mechanisms of mantra meditation, not clinical outcomes.

Quality Item Scores — 1 fail · 2 partial · 3 pass · ★ critical
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Critical fails1
Raw QI0.727
SAF0.925
Adjusted QI0.672
Final ratingModerate