Youth Mindfulness Research Study
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are conducting a study in teens ages 12-17 to learn more about the relationship between interoception (recognizing your body’s internal sensations) and mental health.
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with OCD, Anxiety, or Anorexia Nervosa
12-17 Years Old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Baltimore, MD
Study Background
Deep Phenotyping of Interoception in Adolescence: Making the Imperceptible Perceptible
This research study examines “interoception” – your ability to perceive internal sensations, such as your heartbeat, hunger, or needing to go to the bathroom. Previous research suggests that problems with interoception could play a role in some mental health conditions that start to show in adolescence. We want to find out more, with the help of teens like you.
Across four visits, study participants will do computer tasks, undergo an MRI scan, and engage in breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation in virtual reality. If you are between 12-17 years old; have OCD, anorexia nervosa, or an anxiety disorder; can undergo an MRI; are right-handed; and speak English, you could be eligible for this research study.
Help us find out more about how people your age sense their body’s internal signals and how that affects their developing mental health. Enroll today!
Study Background
Deep Phenotyping of Interoception in Adolescence: Making the Imperceptible Perceptible
This research study examines “interoception” – your ability to perceive internal sensations, such as your heartbeat, hunger, or needing to go to the bathroom. Previous research suggests that problems with interoception could play a role in some mental health conditions that start to show in adolescence. We want to find out more, with the help of teens like you.
Across four visits, study participants will do computer tasks, undergo an MRI scan, and engage in breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation in virtual reality. If you are between 12-17 years old; have OCD, anorexia nervosa, or an anxiety disorder; can undergo an MRI; are right-handed; and speak English, you could be eligible for this research study.
Help us find out more about how people your age sense their body’s internal signals and how that affects their developing mental health. Enroll today!
Additional Information
We aim to describe the ability of teens with OCD, anxiety, and anorexia to sense their internal state, compared to teens without these conditions. We hope that our findings in this study will pave the way toward better treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions.
You or your child may qualify for this study if you or they meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 12-17 years old
- Diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, or anorexia nervosa
- Able to undergo MRI scan (no metal in the body, no claustrophobia)
- Speak English
- Right handed
All four visits will be conducted in-person at 550 N. Broadway (“the 550 Building”) and may take up to 3 hours to complete.
Visit 1
You and your child will complete a structured diagnostic interview to determine the presence of any psychiatric diagnoses for your child. You and your child will be asked to complete self-report questionnaires about mental and behavioral health (MBH) conditions and general behavior.
Your child will complete several computer tasks, during which their physiology will be measured. The task will involve wires and electrodes on your child’s torso and hands. Your child will complete a computer task about different sounds. A saliva sample will be collected.
Visit 2
You and your child will complete self-report questionnaires that inquire about MBH conditions. Your child will be asked to complete additional computer tasks, during which their physiology will be measured.
For the second part of the visit, your child will complete a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan—which takes pictures of your brain while you are at rest. We will start with a practice MRI to ensure comfort in the scanner, then attach electrodes to the abdomen and hand. While in the MRI, your child will complete several computer tasks. A saliva sample will be collected.
Visit 3 and 4
Your child will be asked to complete self-report questionnaires. Your child will complete a virtual reality session, which will include exercises related to sensing one’s internal state. One VR session will focus on mindfulness exercises, and the other VR session will focus on relaxation exercises. The order of which program they receive first will be randomly assigned, like flipping a coin.
During virtual reality sessions, your child’s physiological state will be measured. This will involve wearing wires and electrodes on the hand and torso and a finger monitor.
Before and after the VR session, a study team member will take your child’s temperature. Before and after each VR experience, your child will complete several computer tasks to measure interoception. After the VR experience, your child will complete additional self-report questionnaires. Two saliva samples will be collected (one before and one after the VR session).
Participants can receive up to $200 for their time and effort.
There is no cost for you or your child to participate in our research study.
