Effects of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Reactivity

Abstract

Abstract Background: Mindfulness, rooted in ancient practices, is being studied for its impact on emotion regulation and mental well-being. Objective: The study aimed to investigate whether there would be a significant change in reactivity to emotional stimuli following mindfulness-based training. This was assessed through two measures: a) self-perception of valence and arousal in evaluating images, and b) postural sway while visualizing these images. Methods: Fifty graduate students, divided into a training and a control group, participated in the study. They went through two data collection events, with the same collection procedure, and mindfulness-based training was offered to the training group between the collection events. These individuals were presented with pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images and data was collected regarding the postural sway and individual evaluation of these images for valence (pleasant - unpleasant) and arousal (high - low). Data were compared using the repeated measures ANOVA statistical test. Results: The results pointed to a change in the postural pattern of the training group for the neutral images, indicating a more flexible posture, with greater exploration of the space in the standing position, and changes in the perception of arousal for unpleasant images, with a significant reduction in the mobilization of individuals who underwent the training. Conclusion: These are important results for the advancement of research, since the physiological measures are not subject to conscious manipulation by the participant. Keywords: Mindfulness, Emotional reactivity, Postural sway.