26 Spirituality Studies 11-1 Spring 2025 3.4 Research Instruments The study utilized several instruments to measure the effects of FFMBI. Salivary cortisol levels were assessed using Salivette tubes for sample collection, with analysis performed on the Elecsys 2010 analyzer. This method employed a competitive polyclonal antibody immunoassay with magnetic separation and electrochemiluminescence quantitation. Body composition was analyzed using a TANITA DC360 Body Composition Analyzer, which measures body fat percentage, fat mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass, and bone mass using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured using the TM2657P Fully Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor. For brainwave measurement, the study employed the SeMind EEG system from the Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University. This system was used to assess relaxation conditions by analyzing the ratio between alpha and beta EEG signals. To evaluate participants’ stress levels, the Suanprung Stress Test 20 (SPST-20) was employed. This standardized questionnaire, developed by the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, consists of 20 self-administered questions. The SPST-20 score defines four levels of stress: mild (0–24), moderate (25–42), high (43–62), and severe (over 63). Participants completed this questionnaire both before and after the intervention. The reliability of the SPST-20 was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient, yielding a value of 0.7, indicating acceptable internal consistency. 3.5 Experimental Procedure The experiment took place at Wat Bhaddanta Arsabharam in Chonburi Province, Thailand, during a 7-day meditation retreat. Before the meditation retreat, researchers conducted orientation for the 30 participants and collected baseline data, including salivary cortisol tests, body composition analysis, blood pressure and heart rate measurements, EEG recordings, and stress level assessments. The measurement process was conducted under consistent conditions to ensure data reliability. Prior to the experiment, the pre-meditation measurements were conducted in the morning, the day before participants began the meditation retreat to receive the FFMBI intervention. These included a saliva cortisol test, body composition analysis, blood pressure and heart rate measurement, EEG for brainwave activity, and a stress level test. After the pre-meditation measurements, the participants took part in the 7-day meditation retreat. The day began at 03:30 a.m. with a wake-up bell. This was followed by alternating sessions of walking and sitting meditation, interspersed with mindful eating meals and periods for contemplation of minor daily activities, such as taking a shower and mindful drinking. Participants engaged in meditation interviews, Dhamma talks, and evening chanting to support mindfulness practice. The day concluded with a final meditation session and a mindful approach to sleep at 9:00 p.m. This rigid schedule ensured that all participants experienced similar physical, cognitive, dietary and environmental conditions, thereby controlling for variability in daily routines. Post-meditation measurements were taken on the last day of the meditation retreat, following the same protocol as the pre-meditation tests by the same research team to ensure consistency. Measurements were conducted simultaneously. However, for the saliva cortisol test, participants self-collected samples upon waking at 3:30 a.m. to align with the meditation schedule before breakfast. Efforts were made to maintain consistency in environmental conditions, measurement times, and participant dietary intake to ensure accuracy in data comparison. Additionally, in depth interviews with the practitioners were held to gather qualitative data on participants’ experiences and perceptions of the intervention.
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