May 2024
Received funding for project.
July 2024
Will begin running participants.
60
Expected total number of participants.
Study Status
- Protocol Design
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Manuscript(s) Preparation
- Publication
Protocol 006
Harnessing Stroboscopic Protocols to Develop Therapeutic Interventions for Stress and Burnout Mitigation
The alarming rise in stress-related issues among warfighters, such as suicide, alcoholism, and substance abuse, poses a significant threat to their well-being and mission readiness. Recognizing the critical need for effective stress management strategies, the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies (IACS), with funding from Lumena Labs, Inc. (Denver, CO) and the Department of Defense (U.S., Air Force), is embarking on a groundbreaking 90-day study to evaluate the impact of stroboscopic (flashing lights) brainwave entrainment on stress reduction and burnout mitigation.
This innovative research will compare two distinct stroboscopic brainwave entrainment protocols, alpha-frequency and theta-frequency, administered within an immersive reflective chamber environment (MindGym). Participants, randomly assigned to either protocol, will undergo an 11-minute stimulation session flanked by pre- and post-intervention assessments, including questionnaires and neurophysiological measurements (EEG, heart rate, and heart rate variability).
Funded By
Project Contributors
October 2022
Received funding for project.
April 2023
Will begin running participants.
128
Expected total number of participants.
Study Status
- Protocol Design
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Manuscript(s) Preparation
- Publication
Protocol 004
Assessing The Impact of an Immersive Audiovisual Experience on Mood and Cognitive States
With funding from Lumena Labs, Inc. (Denver, CO), the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies (IACS) will conduct a research study comparing the impacts of two immersive content-delivery systems on subjective experience and cognition. The pieces of content will be delivered via either an immersive “infinity cube” outfitted with mirrors, mylar, and LEDs where participants physically sit inside, via a Virtual Reality headset that will play a 360-degree video recording of the internal “infinity cube” environment., or via a 360 Youtube video via an online survey platform. This study will evaluate the impact of two 10-minute pieces of content on an individual’s anxiety, depression, arousal, valence, awe, ego dissolution, dispositional empathy, and cognitive state.
2025
- Simonian, N., Johnson, M., Lynch, C., Wang, G., Kumaravel, V., Kuhn, T., Schoeller, F., Reggente, N. (2025) Contrasting Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physiological Responses to Breathwork vs. Naturalistic Stimuli in Reflective Chamber and VR Headset Environment. PLOS Mental Health, 2(3), e0000269.[PDF]
Funded By
Project Contributors
Funded By