Progress Report
Integration of Asian humanities and brain informatics to enhance peace and compassion of the mind[3] Social Implementation
Progress until FY2024
1. Outline of the project
While advancing the study of Buddhist texts, we have developed a broad framework for meditation to be implemented via a smartphone app. We categorized human types based on afflictions mentioned in the scriptures and organized basic meditations for each type. This process helps tailor meditation selections to individual personalities. Concurrently, we also proceeded with the development of the intervention app MiruApp. MiruApp not only provides guided meditation tailored to individual characteristics, but also includes features for measuring the effects of meditation practice. In addition, we have completed all of the course meditation program narratives. The pilot study facilitated the selection of outcome measures to be used in the main study planned for the following years.
2. Outcome so far
R &D 1: Buddhist textual Survey and Meditation Design
- (1) Content creation for meditation app narration and more
- In our meditation app, we aim to control automatic thinking by focusing on "awareness" and cultivating "compassion" through a 21-day course. We've developed four tailored meditation courses (addressing greed, anger, ignorance, and unbiased types) based on traditional practices. Additionally, the app includes meditations derived from Oriental perspectives to address issues like "loneliness/anxiety" and promote "positivity." We also integrated the app contents with the Oriental Meditation Archives. To validate the effectiveness and reliability of these meditations, we utilized biometric data and Digital Biomarkers (DBM), conducting preliminary experiments in collaboration with Professor Yoshiharu Yamamoto from the University of Tokyo. We are also exploring new analytical methods focusing on facial expressions, voice tone, and responses, in partnership with Professor Kalisch and Dr. Puhlmann from the Leibniz Resilience Research Institute in Germany.
- (2) Creation of an archive for meditation literacy required for content creation
- To promote the sustained effects of practice through the mobile app by enhancing meditation and motivating practice, we have started preparing to provide organized information on traditional meditation practices and their explanations, as well as insights and considerations from modern scientific meditation research
R&D 2: Large-Scale Intervention Experiment
- (1) Development of the Meditation Intervention App MiruApp
- Using a prototype of a large-scale meditation intervention smartphone app developed during FY2023, we conducted a pilot study. Based on this prototype, we developed the meditation intervention app MiruApp. The name “Miru” reflects essential elements of meditation practice, such as observing bodily sensations and thoughts (“miru” as in “to observe”), or trying new experiences (“miru” as in “to try and see what happens”).
MiruApp offers guided meditation features as well as tools to measure the effects of meditation. The app is essential to the successful completion of this project.
- (2) Implementation of Pilot Studies
- Following the previous fiscal year, we conducted another pilot study. It was carried out with participants who took part in a 10-day meditation training program. The study allowed us to once again review the planned outcome measures and experimental design, including user impressions and potential issues. Compared to last year, the period of both meditation practice and measurement was extended. As in the previous year, expected outcomes such as reductions in anxiety were observed. Additionally, improvements in positive mood—which were not evident last year—were confirmed this year. This improvement is likely due to the use of more appropriate outcome measures.
3. Future plans
To organize meditation systems, we will continue our textual study and work on creating meditation instructions based on Buddhist texts. Concurrently, we will advance the development of our app and begin large-scale intervention studies. Starting from the meditation retreat in Chiba this June, we will initiate a collaborative research project with the Leibniz Resilience Research Institute.