Spirituality Studies 11-1 Spring 2025 27 Nadnapang Phophichit et al. The venue of the 7-day retreat (Wat Bhaddanta Arsabharam) was a setting conducive to mindfulness practices, which helped control for environmental variables. To ensure a controlled environment, participants stayed in individual residences. Additionally, they were asked not to use their mobile phones for the entire duration of the program and practiced noble silence (only speaking with the meditation master during meditation progress interview sessions). To control physiological variables, all participants followed the same schedule, including mealtimes, meditation sessions, and rest periods, to minimize variations in daily routines that could influence the outcomes. 3.6 Data Collection Quantitative data collection was divided into body and mind measurements. For body measurements, saliva samples were collected using Salivette devices, with participants gently chewing the swab for about 2 minutes to saturate it with saliva. Samples were then centrifuged and analyzed using the Elecsys Cortisol assay. Body composition measurements were taken with participants standing barefoot on the Tanita DC360 scale. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured after participants had been seated quietly for 3–5 minutes, with their arms stretched out, palm upward. For mind measurements, EEG recordings were taken with participants seated comfortably, eyes closed, for 15 minutes. The scalp was cleaned with 70% alcohol, and conductive gel was applied before electrode placement. The MU team analyzed the EEG results, focusing on alpha and beta brain waves and their ratio. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews, focusing on participants’ experiences and perceptions of their body and mind after receiving the FFMBI intervention. 3.7 Data Analysis Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, and standard deviations. Paired t-tests were employed to investigate significant differences between pre- and post-intervention measurements. Qualitative data from the interviews was transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns related to participants’ experiences and perceptions of the intervention. 3.8 Ethical Considerations This study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Researcher’s Institution under the certificate approval code R.263/2024 on 9th May 2024. All participants provided written informed consent before participating in the study. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without consequence. All data collected was kept confidential and used solely for research purposes. 3.9 Integration of Findings The quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated during the interpretation phase to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of FFMBI on the targeted variables. This mixed-methods approach allowed for a holistic perspective on the research objectives, combining objective physiological measurements with subjective experiences of the participants.
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