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Forschungsbericht
Institut:
Institut für transkulturelle Gesundheitswissenschaften (IntraG); Stiftungsprofessur Forschungsmethodik der Komplementärmedizin
Professurinhaber:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Mitarbeiter:
Dr. Marco Bischof (wiss. Mitarbeiter)
Anna Christophersen (Stud. Hilfskraft)
Bartlomiej Kowalik (Stud. Hilfskraft)
Dessislava Pometkova MA (Wiss. Hilfskraft)
Jana Lemke (Wiss. Hilfskraft)
Prof. Tsutomu Kamei (Gastprofessor)
Prof. Dietmar Cimbal (Gastprofessor)Ellen Köhler (Sekretariat)
Helga Gronau (Sekretariat)
Forschungsschwerpunkt:
Klinische und Evaluationsforschung, vor allem in Bereichen unkonventioneller Richtungen (Homöopathie, Funktionsweisen klassischer und nicht-klassischer Pseudomaschinen), achtsamkeitsbasierter Interventionen und der Schnittstelle zwischen Bewusstsein und Körper, sowie methodische Grundlagenforschung und wissenschaftstheoretische Beiträge --- Theoriebildung zu einem generalisierten Modell der Verbundenheit (generalisierte Nichtlokalität und empirisch-experimentelle Nachweismöglichkeiten) --- Entwicklung einer Lebensstil-Intervention zur Prävention von Demenzerkrankung und die Rolle einer Kultur des Bewusstseins
Aktuelle Projekte:
Sonstiges Brain, Mind, and Healing Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Beginn: 01.05.2010
Sonstiges Developing an Objective Test of Mindfulness Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Beginn: 01.04.2008
Sonstiges Preventing Dementia Development of a Dietary and Lifestyle Advice Booklet Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Beginn: 01.05.2010
Sonstiges Towards a New Paradigmatic Framework: Weak Quantum Theory and Generalised Entanglement – Explorations of HolismProf. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Beginn: 01.07.2009
06.09.2010 Bartlomiej Kowalik Impressum (de) / Copyright 2006 - 2010
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Sonstiges Brain, Mind, and Healing http://www.euv-frankfurt-o.de/de/forschung/institut/institut_intrag/forschung/forschungsbericht/Brain__Mind__and_Healing/index.html[*QUOTE*]
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Brain, Mind, and Healing
Institut:
Institut für transkulturelle Gesundheitswissenschaften (IntraG); Stiftungsprofessur Forschungsmethodik der Komplementärmedizin
Projekttitel:
Brain, Mind, and Healing – Coordination of the European Network and Development of Mindfulness Based Interventions
Projektleitung:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
ProjektmitarbeiterInnen:
Projektart: Sonstiges
BetreuerIn der Promotion: Majella Horan, Dr. Gisela FullFinanzierung: Sonstiges
Weitere Geldgeber:
Samueli Institute Gesamtfördervolumen: 149.000 Euro
Projektbeginn: 01.05.2010
Projektbeschreibung in deutsch:
Projektbeschreibung in englisch:
The Samueli Institute’s Brain, Mind and Healing Program aims at the ways the mind contributes to healing, and at elucidating brain mechanisms and psychological processes. A network of collaborators contributes to this joint effort, which is coordinated through joint meetings and project developments from the head of the European Office, Prof. Walach. The European Head Office itself works in close collaboration with the American office, the head quarters of the Samueli Institute, a charitable trust dedicated to the science of healing. Current projects within this joint effort include:
- Developing a state monitoring device to assess states of consciousness online (Dr. Thilo Hinterberger)
- Brain music: assessing a brain-computer-interface for arts performance (Dr. Thilo Hinterberger)
- Testing mindfulness based interventions for efficacy in migraine (Dr. Stefan Schmidt)
- Studying the different attention networks in conjunction with different styles of meditation (Dr. Stefan Schmidt)
- The role of compassion and prayer in therapy (Jose Raul Naranjo Muradas)
- The role of exceptional experiences for resilience (Dr. Niko Kohls)
- Exceptional experience, physical well-being and clinical symptoms (Dr. Kohls in conjunction with Prof. Chris Cook)
- Studying the enlightened mind (Dr. Gisela Full)
- Developing, implementing and testing a Mindfulness Based Coping with University Life program (Siobhan Lynch)
- Developing an Alzheimer Prevention Program through long-term lifestyle modification (Prof. Harald Walach)
Kooperationspartner:
Dr. John Ives (Samueli Institute, Alexandria VA)
Dr. Stefan Schmidt (Universitätsklinik Freiburg)
Jose Raul Naranjo Muradas (Universitätsklinik Freiburg und Bernstein Centre, Freiburg)
Dr. Thilo Hinterberger (Universitätsklinik Freiburg)
Dr. Niko Kohls (Humanwissenschaftliches Zentrum der LMU und Generation Research Project, Bad Tölz)
Prof. Chris Cook (University of Durham, Dependency Outpatient Unit and Departmen of Religious Studies) Zum Forschungsbericht des Institutes
16.06.2010 Bartlomiej Kowalik Impressum (de) / Copyright 2006 - 2010
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Sonstiges Developing an Objective Test of Mindfulness http://www.euv-frankfurt-o.de/de/forschung/institut/institut_intrag/forschung/forschungsbericht/Developing_an_Obj_/index.html[*QUOTE*]
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> Developing an Objective Test of Mindfulness
Developing an Objective Test of Mindfulness
Institut:
Institut für transkulturelle Gesundheitswissenschaften (IntraG); Stiftungsprofessur Forschungsmethodik der Komplementärmedizin
Projekttitel:
Developing an Objective Test of Mindfulness
Projektleitung:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Projektart: Sonstiges
BetreuerIn der Promotion: Ursula MochtyFinanzierung: Sonstiges
Weitere Geldgeber:
Bial Foundation Gesamtfördervolumen: 54.000 Euro
Projektbeginn: 01.04.2008
Projektbeschreibung in englisch:
This project was implemented to follow up results obtained from a previous pilot experiment on the empirical investigation of mindfulness. Currently self-rating questionnaires are in use, but, to date, no objective assessment for mindfulness is available to quantify this construct. Recent studies point towards improvement in attention by means of systematic meditation training. The aim of this project is to overcome some of the weaknesses of self-ratings and develop, implement and evaluate a quick and simple objective test for the assessment of mindfulness and attention. The bi-stable images test presents the Necker Cube illusion, where two different shapes can be perceived in the same image. As mental training of attention is a core ingredient of meditation, it should be possible to influence the amount of image reversals, also so-called "flicker frequency", and indicate improvement/changes in mindfulness and attention. For this purpose experienced meditators, participants in a mindful training and controls are tested.
Zum Forschungsbericht des Institutes
06.09.2010 Bartlomiej Kowalik Impressum (de) / Copyright 2006 - 2010
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Sonstiges Preventing Dementia Development of a Dietary and Lifestyle Advice Booklet http://www.euv-frankfurt-o.de/de/forschung/institut/institut_intrag/forschung/forschungsbericht/Preventing_Dementia/index.html[*QUOTE*]
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> Preventing Dementia Development of a Dietary and Lifestyle Advice Booklet
Preventing Dementia Development of a Dietary and Lifestyle Advice Booklet
Institut:
Institut für transkulturelle Gesundheitswissenschaften (IntraG); Stiftungsprofessur Forschungsmethodik der Komplementärmedizin
Projekttitel:
Preventing Dementia Development of a Dietary and Lifestyle Advice Booklet
Projektleitung:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Projektart: Sonstiges
BetreuerIn der Promotion: Majella HoranFinanzierung: Sonstiges
Weitere Geldgeber:
Northamptonshire County Council Gesamtfördervolumen: 5740 Euro
Projektbeginn: 01.05.2010
Projektbeschreibung in deutsch:
Demenz, vor allem Alzheimer Erkrankung, wird in nächster Zukunft zu den grössten Gesundheitsproblemen unserer westlichen und alternden Gesellschaft gehören. Weder die öffentliche Wahrnehmung, noch die Forschung reagiert angemessen auf das epidemiologische Problem. Die Forschung konzentriert sich im Wesentlichen auf die Entschlüsselung kausaler molekularer Mechanismen mit dem offensichtlichen Ziel einer medikamentösen und damit profitträchtigen Behandlung der Erkrankung. Forschung und Strategien, die in den Bereich der primären Prävention gehören, sind praktisch kaum wahrnehmbar. Dabei wäre dies von grosser Bedeutung: die Entwicklung von zentralnervös wirksamen Medikamenten, in die über die Jahre viel Geld und Energie geflossen ist, hat eher enttäuscht. Die medikamentösen Optionen sind in der angewandten Praxis nur wenig wirksam, sehr teuer, und mit starken Nebenwirkungen behaftet. Epidemiologische Untersuchungen gehen davon aus, dass 1-5% der 65 Jährigen demenzerkrankt sind und dass sich die Zahl mit jeder Dekade verdoppelt, bis die Kurve bei etwa 40% Demenzerkrankten von allen 90 Jährigen zum Stehen kommt und anschliessend abflacht.
Das hier vorgestellte Projekt geht von anderen Voraussetzungen aus: Wir nehmen an, dass die Alzheimer Demenz eine komplexe und multikausal verursachte Erkrankung ist, bei der Belastung aufgrund von verschiedenen Umwelttoxinen, strukturelle Mangelernährung, psychologische Faktoren und damit verbunden fehlgeleitete kognitive Strategien die Degenerationsprozesse verschlimmern, die zum normalen Altern gehören und damit jenen neuroinflammatorischen Zyklus auslösen, der für Alzheimer-Demenz pathognomisch ist. Wir vermuten, dass das Auftreten klinischer Symptome nicht der Beginn der Krankheit ist, sondern die nicht mehr umkehrbare Endstrecke einer lange vorher einsetzenden Grundproblematik.
Daher schlagen wir vor, über einen grundlegenderen Ansatz vorzugehen und
Lebensstilveränderungen zu entwickeln, die akzeptabel, implementierbar und realistisch sind und zu einer Verhinderung des Erkrankungsausbruchs beitragen könnten. Ein solches Programm wird über das systematische Sichten der Literatur beginnen müssen, das die Bedeutung von Belastungsfaktoren, Verhaltens- und Ernährungselementen berichtet.
Zum Forschungsbericht des Institutes
27.04.2010 Bartlomiej Kowalik Impressum (de) / Copyright 2006 - 2010
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Sonstiges Towards a New Paradigmatic Framework: Weak Quantum Theory and Generalised Entanglement – Explorations of Holismhttp://www.euv-frankfurt-o.de/de/forschung/institut/institut_intrag/forschung/forschungsbericht/Towards_a_New/index.html[*QUOTE*]
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Towards a New Paradigmatic Framework: Weak Quantum Theory and Generalised Entanglement – Explorations of Holism
Institut:
Institut für transkulturelle Gesundheitswissenschaften (IntraG); Stiftungsprofessur Forschungsmethodik der Komplementärmedizin
Projekttitel:
Towards a New Paradigmatic Framework: Weak Quantum Theory and Generalised Entanglement – Explorations of Holism
Projektleitung:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Harald Walach
Projektart: Sonstiges
BetreuerIn der Promotion: Nikolaus von StillfriedFinanzierung: Sonstiges
Weitere Geldgeber:
Fetzer-Franklin Trust Gesamtfördervolumen: 134.000 Euro
Projektbeginn: 01.07.2009
Projektbeschreibung in deutsch:
All scientific endeavours are bound by paradigmatic limitations that are themselves normally not the subject of scientific scrutiny. Rather, science moves within these borders to fulfil its functions. The thrust and strength of the modern day scientific approach comes at the price of excluding many phenomenologically important experiences from a proper scientific treatment. The danger to our culture at large is that the limitations of what is considered scientifically viable are taken as the limits of the possible world, thus neglecting or even discarding from scientific treatment some of the centrally important human experiences, such as phenomenological self-consciousness, agency, spirituality, meaning or morality. In this project we propose to study an alternative theoretical approach to wholeness that allows for bridging the currently accepted scientific approach with many fields neglected by science. We have called this approach Weak Quantum Theory (WQT). This is an axiomatic systems-theoretical framework modelled along the lines of Quantum Theory proper. By relaxing some conditions and definitions we are able to produce a formal theoretical framework that is loose enough to be applied to all sorts of systems, yet defined enough to allow for some intriguing predictions. One of them is the prediction of non-local correlations, or generalised entanglement correlations in all kinds of systems, provided a global variable describing the system is complementary to local variables describing elements contained within the system. This yields a formal concept of ordered correlatedness that is not causal in the sense of efficient causality used by modern day science, yet allows for ordered relationships without signal transfer.
We propose to develop this model further to make it more precise and meaningful in concrete applications, and also to discuss and develop empirical models of quantification and testing. The first step of this project will be a thorough scrutiny of this model and a probing of its theoretical limits, its explanatory power, and further developmental steps, as well as the scientific discussion that is needed to make it viable. This can then lead, ideally, so some understanding as to how the model should be developed further and which experimental methods of testing, if any, are available.
We will discuss and take forward the development of one empirical model, a perceptual paradigm. Here, we can use the formalism of WQT to model already existing experimental data for finding parameters, and we can use the empirical model to test predictions from the theoretical model. In this paradigm, a bistable image (such as the Necker cube or Rubin’s face-vase illusion) is presented to individuals and the reversal time of the stimulus is measured. Other variables, such as mindfulness or efficiency in attention are also measured. This will allow for modelling of parameters, especially for estimating commutation relations measured, and their relationship with the time constants of the system will allow for an estimation of the parameters entering into the coupling strength and the amount of non commutativity of certain observables. Also, the model might eventually yield a macroscopic analogue to the Bell-experiment, however in the time domain, as it is a straightforward extrapolation of the Quantum-Zeno effect to a stabilisation of instable perception through consciousness.
In the first phase of the project we will for the most part explore the foundations for such work in a series of discussions, collaborate meetings, publications and an international work-shop of high calibre to discuss this issue further. The outcome of this first project phase is anticipated to be an edited volume with an international academic publisher, as well as a series of papers in peer-reviewed journals probing the limits of the model.
Projektbeschreibung in englisch:
All scientific endeavours are bound by paradigmatic limitations that are themselves normally not the subject of scientific scrutiny. Rather, science moves within these borders to fulfil its functions. The thrust and strength of the modern day scientific approach comes at the price of excluding many phenomenologically important experiences from a proper scientific treatment. The danger to our culture at large is that the limitations of what is considered scientifically viable are taken as the limits of the possible world, thus neglecting or even discarding from scientific treatment some of the centrally important human experiences, such as phenomenological self-consciousness, agency, spirituality, meaning or morality. In this project we propose to study an alternative theoretical approach to wholeness that allows for bridging the currently accepted scientific approach with many fields neglected by science. We have called this approach Weak Quantum Theory (WQT). This is an axiomatic systems-theoretical framework modelled along the lines of Quantum Theory proper. By relaxing some conditions and definitions we are able to produce a formal theoretical framework that is loose enough to be applied to all sorts of systems, yet defined enough to allow for some intriguing predictions. One of them is the prediction of non-local correlations, or generalised entanglement correlations in all kinds of systems, provided a global variable describing the system is complementary to local variables describing elements contained within the system. This yields a formal concept of ordered correlatedness that is not causal in the sense of efficient causality used by modern day science, yet allows for ordered relationships without signal transfer.
We propose to develop this model further to make it more precise and meaningful in concrete applications, and also to discuss and develop empirical models of quantification and testing. The first step of this project will be a thorough scrutiny of this model and a probing of its theoretical limits, its explanatory power, and further developmental steps, as well as the scientific discussion that is needed to make it viable. This can then lead, ideally, so some understanding as to how the model should be developed further and which experimental methods of testing, if any, are available.
We will discuss and take forward the development of one empirical model, a perceptual paradigm. Here, we can use the formalism of WQT to model already existing experimental data for finding parameters, and we can use the empirical model to test predictions from the theoretical model. In this paradigm, a bistable image (such as the Necker cube or Rubin’s face-vase illusion) is presented to individuals and the reversal time of the stimulus is measured. Other variables, such as mindfulness or efficiency in attention are also measured. This will allow for modelling of parameters, especially for estimating commutation relations measured, and their relationship with the time constants of the system will allow for an estimation of the parameters entering into the coupling strength and the amount of non commutativity of certain observables. Also, the model might eventually yield a macroscopic analogue to the Bell-experiment, however in the time domain, as it is a straightforward extrapolation of the Quantum-Zeno effect to a stabilisation of instable perception through consciousness.
In the first phase of the project we will for the most part explore the foundations for such work in a series of discussions, collaborate meetings, publications and an international work-shop of high calibre to discuss this issue further. The outcome of this first project phase is anticipated to be an edited volume with an international academic publisher, as well as a series of papers in peer-reviewed journals probing the limits of the model.
Kooperationspartner:
Prof. Dr. Hartmann Römer (Physik; Universität Freiburg)
Prof. Dr. Thomas Filk (Physik; Universität Freiburg und Parmenides Stiftung)
Dr. Harald Atmanspacher (Physik; Institut für Grenzgebiete der Psychologie)
Prof. Dr. Mike Epperson (Philosophie; University of California San Diego)
Dr. Walter von Lucadou (Systemtheorie; Parapsychologische Beratungsstelle, Freiburg)Zum Forschungsbericht des Institutes
06.09.2010 Bartlomiej Kowalik Impressum (de) / Copyright 2006 - 2010
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