Online Consciousness and Wellbeing Questionnaire Study
Active Studies Overview
Overview
There is preliminary evidence that the traditional practices of Ayurveda may promote health and wellbeing but there is little empirical evidence for this comprehensive system as a whole. There are numerous published studies showing that the individual practices of yoga and meditation have beneficial effects on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. However, in whole-system approaches such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, traditional practices are rarely practiced singularly. In Ayurveda, for example, Yoga asanas are practiced with meditation as well as pranayama (yogic deep breathing).
Meditation, yoga and Ayurvedic programs have been offered for over 15 years at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. Anecdotal reports by prior course participants include decreased anxiety, improvements in mood, sleep, concentration, reduction in stress, and overall improvement in wellbeing.
For this ongoing research study, individuals planning to take a program at the Chopra Center, and who consent to participate in the study, will be asked to complete several questionnaires assessing stress, anxiety, mindfulness, mood, and spirituality. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires prior to coming to the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, immediately following their course, and approximately one month following completion of the course. By documenting the reported benefits of these mind-body programs, we can gather more scientific evidence of the effects of these programs and bring increased awareness to the importance of incorporating these practices into our lives.
This study will examine psychosocial effects of ancient practices, such as meditation, when combined with other mind-body practices such as yoga, cleansing, and spiritual and emotional teaching.
Summary for Prospective Research Participants
The Online Questionnaire research study is in partnership with The Chopra Foundation and biomedical scientists from The University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The study is being conducted so we can learn more about the psychosocial effects of the programs and courses offered at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing located at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA. We are looking for men and women, who are planning on taking a Chopra Center for Wellbeing program or course.
It is becoming increasingly recognized that ancient practices for wellbeing, including meditation, yoga, and specific herbs, can improve health and promote longevity. We are looking to document such effects on psychosocial behavior by studying those participating in and practicing yoga, meditation and recommended lifestyle techniques in the varying courses offered at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.
If you are interested in taking a Chopra Center for Wellbeing program or course, you will be asked if you wish to participate in an Online Questionnaire Study. You will be assigned to take a number of questionnaires at three different time points (prior to your program, last day of your program, and one month following your program). Placement in this study is dependent on the course in which you are participating. If you are eligible, the time commitment will be approximately 30-45 min per time point.
Procedures
Procedures to take part in the study will include:
- Electronic Consent Form:
After reading this document, receiving a detailed overview of the study from our research coordinator (via e-mail, telephone, and/or in person) and asking the study coordinator any questions you may have, you may sign the electronic consent form by typing your name at the end of the form. The electronic consent form will be available to you via email from a study coordinator. Please send the signed consent form back to Lizzy Weiss, Chopra Foundation Research Associate, to research@chopra.com. - Questionnaires:
After completing the electronic consent form, questionnaires will be available online for you to complete up to one month before you are scheduled to arrive at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA for your Chopra Center for Wellbeing program. To understand how participating in an intensive wellness program may affect wellbeing, we need a sense of what your daily life, mood, and health are like when they are in their natural environment (not a resort). These questionnaires will cover a range of questions about your mental and physical wellbeing, including depression, mood, stress levels, ways of dealing with feelings, energy level, and health behaviors. Please note the online survey will take less than one hour to complete. You will complete these questionnaires again at the end of the program week, in addition to one month post program.
Next Steps
Following these initial procedures, if you are eligible to participate in the Online Questionnaire Study, you will come to the Chopra Center for Wellbeing at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California (unless program is located elsewhere), and attend the program you have signed up for in addition to taking the first set of questionnaires prior to your arrival.
On the last day of your program, before you return home, you will take the same set of online questionnaires.
Approximately one month following your program, you will complete your last set of questionnaires.
FAQ
Who should participate in the Initiative for Cancer Survivorship Approached Naturally
Those interested in taking a Chopra Center for Wellbeing program or course, AND interested in participating in ground-breaking research. In order to participate you must be 18 years of age or older, and currently enrolled in one of our Chopra Center programs (i.e. Seduction of Spirit, Journey Into Healing, Healing the Heart etc.). You must also have access to the internet. Eligible participants, after having been determined you are in fact enrolled in a Chopra Center program, will attend the selected course while adhering to study requirements and assessments. Study requirements involve a time commitment of completing online questionnaires at three different time points. If you are having trouble selecting which program may be the best fit for you, we encourage you to reach out to your program consultant. Any questions that are research-related can be addressed and emailed to Lizzy Weiss, Chopra Foundation Research Associate, with the subject line: Online Questionnaire FAQ to research@chopra.com.
How can I participate in the Online Questionnaire study?
In order to participate you must fit the criteria described above. If you feel you qualify after having reviewed the main points above, please email Lizzy Weiss, Chopra Foundation Research Associate, with the subject line: Online Questionnaire FAQ to research@chopra.com. From there, Lizzy will be able to verify that you are eligible to participate in the Online Questionnaire study. If you do not wish to participate in the study, and would like to support the study, we encourage you to find “SBTI” on the donation page of www.choprafoundation.org. All funds directed to SBTI are in efforts to help finance research initiatives the Chopra Center and Chopra Foundation endorse to bring scientific evidence to ancient wisdom and teachings.
What is involved in participation and where is this study taking place?
The questionnaire study takes place online and participation requires certain responsibilities such as answering personal and psychological questionnaires. You will NOT be paid for your participation. Please keep in mind there is a time commitment which includes, but is not limited to, taking the questionnaires: one month to one week prior to your program, the on-site study dates (which is the program you are attending), and one month following your program. Questionnaires should not take longer than 45 minutes to complete each assessment time.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, there is no direct cost to participate in this study. However, to attend a Chopra Center program there is an enrollment fee. Depending on the program you select, the price of the enrollment fee may vary. The only cost associated with the Online Questionnaire study is the time commitment involved as described in Question 3, in addition to any costs associated with travel expenses to and stay at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA (and potentially other locations depending upon the program you select).
What personal results can I expect, and what’s going to happen with the data?
Personal results will not be offered for this study, however, aggregate results of those who have participated in the Online Questionnaire study will be published at a future date (TBD) in a scientific journal. These findings will be announced to individuals who have participated in the Online Questionnaire study. In other words, participants and others will get final data in the form of a publication but not individual results. Any and all data will be presented anonymously in the published article and stored in a confidential database.
What are my next steps to participate?
After having reviewed the following documents- Online Questionnaire Study Description and Electronic Consent Form:
- Please send an email to Lizabeth Weiss, with the subject line QSTUDY to research@chopra.com and inform her you wish to participate in the questionnaire study. Please provide your date of birth, program/date you are attending, in addition to a signed copy of the electronic consent form.
- You will then receive a confirmation from Lizzy and instructions on how to proceed to complete the questionnaires online. Questionnaires will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.
We ask that you complete these questionnaire(s) prior to coming to the Chopra Center (i.e. Seduction of Spirit), and again the last day of your program. We also require that you submit these questionnaire(s) one month following your course. An email for each scheduled time point will be sent reminding you of when your questionnaires should be completed.
What if I can’t sign the electronic consent form?
Look for a tab on the top right hand side of the PDF to “Fill & Sign”. From here you should be able to add text, place initials, or place signature. Please select “place signature” and sign the form electronically. If you are still having difficulty signing the form electronically, you may print the document, sign it and scan it to research@chopra.com. If you do not have scanning capabilities, you may print the document, sign it and take a photograph of your written consent. You will then send the photograph in JPEG form to research@chopra.com.
What if I have more questions that have not been answered here?
Please contact Lizzy Weiss, Chopra Foundation Research Associate, with the subject line: Online Questionnaire FAQ for further inquiries. Emails can be sent to research@chopra.com.