Effects Of Mindfulness-based Interventions Research Articles

Assessing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Chronic Back Pain: Use of Quantitative Sensory Pain Assessment

Findings from clinical trials of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) support significant effects on chronic pain, yet the mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. A limitation of current research is reliance on global measures of functioning or narrow, self-report ratings of chronic pain severity. The present research aims to explore potential mechanisms that may explain the effects of MBIs on chronic pain by focusing on acute pain ratings, using quantitative sensory pain testing (QST) rather than chronic pain ratings. Thirty-six patients (10 men, 26 women, mean age = 58.03, ± 14.9) with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were randomly assigned to an 8-week MBI or wait-list control. QST measures of thermal and pain thresholds, as well as pain ratings to fixed stimuli, self-report measures of chronic pain severity, and interference with daily activities were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. We found a significant group X time interactions in self-report ratings of chronic pain severity (p = .04, ηp2 = .12) and interference (p = .04, ηp2 = .11): The MBI group showed a decrease in ratings while the control group showed an increase. Also, while patients in the control group exhibited an increase in suprathreshold pain ratings over time (p = .03, ηp2 = .15), indicating an apparent sensitization effect to painful stimuli, participants in the MBI group maintained their original ratings. The results suggest that mindfulness practice may have a “buffering effect” for CLBP patients, by attenuating their tendency to facilitate pain experience.

Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MYmind) for children with ADHD and their parents: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionMindfulness is one of the potential alternative interventions for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some evidence suggests that mindfulness is related to changes in brain regions associated with ADHD....

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Insomnia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

ABSTRACTObjective: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are clinically effective for insomnia, but the research findings have been mixed. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined the effect of MBIs on insomnia. Method: Both English (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases) and Chinese (WanFang and CNKI) databases were systematically and independently searched. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random effects model. Results: Five RCTs (n = 520) comparing MBIs (n = 279) and control (n = 241) groups were identified and analyzed. Compared to the control group, participants in the MBIs group showed significant improvement in insomnia as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (n = 247; SMD: −1.01, 95% CI: −1.28 to −0.75, I2 = 0%, p < 0.00001) at post-MBIs assessment. Conclusion: In this comprehensive meta-analysis, MBIs appear to be effective in the treatment of insomnia. Further studies to examine the long-term effects of MBIs for insomnia are needed.

Research Review: The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents - a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BackgroundMindfulness based interventions (MBIs) are an increasingly popular way of attempting to improve the behavioural, cognitive and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents, though there is a suggestion that enthusiasm has moved ahead of the evidence base. Most evaluations of MBIs are either uncontrolled or nonrandomized trials. This meta‐analysis aims to establish the efficacy of MBIs for children and adolescents in studies that have adopted a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) design.MethodsA systematic literature search of RCTs of MBIs was conducted up to October 2017. Thirty‐three independent studies including 3,666 children and adolescents were included in random effects meta‐analyses with outcome measures categorized into cognitive, behavioural and emotional factors. Separate random effects meta‐analyses were completed for the seventeen studies (n = 1,762) that used an RCT design with an active control condition.ResultsAcross all RCTs we found significant positive effects of MBIs, relative to controls, for the outcome categories of Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, Attention, Depression, Anxiety/Stress and Negative Behaviours, with small effect sizes (Cohen's d), ranging from .16 to .30. However, when considering only those RCTs with active control groups, significant benefits of an MBI were restricted to the outcomes of Mindfulness (d = .42), Depression (d = .47) and Anxiety/Stress (d = .18) only.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis reinforces the efficacy of using MBIs for improving the mental health and wellbeing of youth as assessed using the gold standard RCT methodology. Future RCT evaluations should incorporate scaled‐up definitive trial designs to further evaluate the robustness of MBIs in youth, with an embedded focus on mechanisms of action.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

To determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on clinical and patient-reported outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We identified randomized clinical trials from inception through April 2018 from MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and hand searches. After screening 338 references, we included five trials with one post-hoc analysis that evaluated MBIs and collectively included 399 participants. Outcome instruments were heterogeneous across studies. Three studies evaluated RA clinical outcomes by a rheumatologist; one study found improvements in disease activity. A limited meta-analysis found no statistically significant difference in the levels of DAS28-CRP in the two studies that evaluated this metric (- 0.44 (- 0.99, 0.12); I2 0%). Four studies evaluated heterogeneous psychological outcomes, and all found improvements including depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and self-efficacy. A meta-analysis of pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) levels post intervention from three included studies was not significantly different between MBI participants and control group (- 0.58 (- 1.26, 0.10); I2 0%) although other studies not included in meta-analysis found improvement. There are few trials evaluating the effect of MBIs on outcomes in patients with RA. Preliminary findings suggest that MBIs may be a useful strategy to improve psychological distress in those with RA.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention on Quality of Life and Craving in Methadone-treated Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BackgroundQuality of life (QOL) is always considered as a final consequence of clinical trials, interventions, and health care. The results of studies indicate that addiction leads to lower QOL. However, studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on improving QOL. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) on QOL and craving in methadone-treated patients.MethodsThis study was conducted in Qom, Iran, in 2017. A sample of 70 methadone-treated patients were randomly selected and assigned to two groups (intervention and control). Participants in both groups completed the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) QOL Questionnaire and Craving Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ) at the beginning of the study (pre-test), 8 weeks after the study (post-test), and two months after the study (follow up). In this study, the experimental group received 8 training sessions on mindfulness prevention, while the control group did not receive general information about addiction and did not receive any psychological intervention. Finally, data of 63 patients were analyzed with the SPSS software, chi-square test, t-test, and repeated-measures ANOVA.FindingsThe results of repeated-measures ANOVA showed that there was no significant difference between intervention and control groups in the pre-test, but MBRP in the intervention group significantly increased the scores of QOL and decreased the scores of craving, significantly (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe findings of present study indicate that MBRP training can increase the psychological and physical health in dependent methadone-treated patients and decrease craving. These findings suggest that mindfulness training can be used as an effective intervention for improving QOL and reducing craving.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Psoriasis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that has a profound psychological impact. Despite the pertinence of mental health difficulties to psoriasis, the literature is devoid of empirical support for the long-term beneficial effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). This study aimed to determine the comparative efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), mindfulness-based self-compassion therapy (MBSCT), and self-help MBSCT (MBSCT-SH) relative to treatment-as-usual (TAU) in improving the long-term psychological and physical outcomes of individuals with psoriasis. Ninety-four adults with mild to moderate psoriasis were randomly assigned to TAU (n = 22) or TAU combined with MBCT (n = 25), MBSCT (n = 25), or MBSCT-SH (n = 22). Participants completed assessments of psychological well-being, psoriasis symptom burden, and quality of life at pre- and post-treatment as well as 6- and 12-month follow-up. Although participants reported that the MBIs were beneficial, no statistically significant differences were found on psychological well-being, psoriasis symptom burden, or quality of life relative to TAU alone at post-treatment, 6- or 12-month follow-up. The development of our understanding of differences in the effects of MBIs for disparate disease groups is instrumental to realizing the therapeutic potential of MBIs.

Mindfulness for the Mental Health and Well-Being of Post-Secondary Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

High levels of distress in post-secondary students, alongside the real or perceived barriers to accessing services, highlight the need for evidence-based, accessible, and brief interventions for students such as mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to determine the effectiveness of MBIs for mental health outcomes in post-secondary students. We searched OVID MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsychInfo, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinical Trials.gov , Google Scholar, Proquest Dissertations, and OpenGrey. When possible, data were pooled using a random-effects model. Effect estimates were reported as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and then back-transformed into common scales of measurement. This review includes 41 randomized controlled trials reported in 49 studies. When comparing to a passive control, MBIs appear to reduce symptoms of depression [SMD − 0.49 (95% CI − 0.68, − 0.30)], anxiety [SMD − 0.53 (95% CI − 0.78, − 0.29)], and perceived stress [SMD -0.39 (95% CI -0.50, -0.27)] post-intervention (low-quality evidence). These findings were similar for shorter compared to longer interventions, although mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appeared to be the most effective for depression and anxiety. This review found no differential effects of MBIs compared to active comparators for depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or perceived stress (low-quality evidence). Overall, MBIs of at least 2 weeks in duration appear to be a better alternative than no intervention for students with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress.

The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Background: An increasing number of patients and practitioners are using mindfulness meditation programs despite uncertainty about the evidence supporting these programs’ health benefits. Aim: To review the current evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) on depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) among patients with depression comorbid medical conditions and those with major depressive disorder. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and PsycINFO was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for the past 30 years (1987-2017) published in English. The following keywords were used: meditation, QOL, depression, and mindfulness. Based on the consensus of two reviewers, 16 studies were selected for inclusion in this study. Results: We included randomized controlled trials that utilized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and other programs that based on MBSR and MBCT protocols. Overall, these interventions showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms and Quality of Life (QOL) at posttreatment (8 weeks) compared to usual care, waitlist-control, active control (psycho-education, exercise, and muscle relaxation), and evidence-based treatment (antidepressants). The interventions were found to be useful, especially among patients with depression dealing with chronic pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and insomnia. Conclusions: MBSR, MBCT, and mindfulness interventions that modeled MBSR/MBCT appear efficacious as a treatment for depressive symptoms (alone and adjunctive therapy) among patients suffering from depression comorbid medical conditions, and those with major depressive disorder.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions Among Adolescents With Chronic Diseases in Clinical Settings: A Systematic Review

IntroductionWe aimed to determine the benefits/efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) implemented among adolescents with chronic diseases in clinical settings. MethodsAn electronic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases was conducted in November 2017 to identify studies in which mindfulness was the primary intervention delivered for adolescents with chronic diseases to improve psychological and physical health. ResultsNineteen eligible studies were included in this review. Fifteen studies included adolescents with psychiatric or pain disorders, and four included adolescents with a chronic physical disorders. Psychological outcomes and pain were examined in most studies with effect sizes for MBIs ranging from small to large. DiscussionMBI studies conducted in clinical settings mainly engaged adolescents with psychiatric or pain disorders. The effectiveness of MBIs on improving psychological outcomes were inconsistent. Large randomized trials are needed to examine the effectiveness of MBIs and should expand to include adolescents with chronic physical diseases.

The implementation of mindfulness-based interventions and educational interventions to support family caregivers of patients with cancer: A systematic review.

This review aims to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and educational interventions (EIs) as supportive care for family caregivers (FCs) of patients with cancer. Review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The search protocol was performed using EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for the studies published between 2007 and 2017. Little evidence is available on the usefulness of MBIs among FCs of patients with cancer. However, the available evidence supports that MBIs have the potential to enhance overall well-being and reduce the burden for FCs. EIs have shown positive outcomes on some aspects of well-being and reducing the burden. The findings provide preliminary support for effectiveness of MBIs and EIs as a supportive care for FCs.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Diabetes-Related Distress, Quality of Life, and Metabolic Control Among Persons with Diabetes: A Meta-Analytic Review

ABSTRACTMindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have improved psychological outcomes for multiple chronic health conditions, including diabetes. A meta-analytic review of the literature was conducted on all located studies (n = 14) investigating MBIs that targeted diabetes-related distress (DRD) and diabetes-related outcomes among people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. PsychInfo, PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were searched for MBIs that were designed to improve DRD and other secondary outcomes, including quality of life and measures of metabolic control. A meta-analysis of these outcomes uncovered small-to-moderate effect sizes for intervention studies measuring pretreatment to posttreatment changes in DRD and metabolic control among treatment group participants. However, the pretreatment to follow-up comparisons for DRD and metabolic control were small and unreliable. For control groups, all pre-treatment to post-treatment and pre-treatment to follow-up comparisons were unreliable for all outcomes. A moderate effect size for treatment-control comparisons was found for intervention studies measuring quality of life outcomes at posttreatment, but not at follow-up comparisons. All other effect sizes for treatment-control comparisons were unreliable. Limitations and implications for MBIs among individuals with diabetes are discussed.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia: Effects on Daytime Symptoms and Cognitive-Emotional Arousal

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to improve sleep quality among people with insomnia. However, much less is known about the effects of MBIs on other aspects of insomnia such as daytime symptoms and cognitive-emotional arousal. The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment effects on these domains for adults with chronic insomnia disorder who were randomized to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia (MBTI), or a delayed-treatment control consisting of sleep diary self-monitoring (SM) followed by behavior therapy (BT). Analyses were conducted on baseline to post-treatment changes with superiority comparisons for each MBI to SM followed by non-inferiority comparisons for each MBI to BT. The results revealed significant reductions from baseline in the MBTI group with large effect sizes on sleep effort, maladaptive sleep-related cognitions, and hyperarousal which were superior to the SM control (p < 0.05) and non-inferior to BT (p < 0.025). MBSR demonstrated a significant increase in positive affect with a large effect size which was non-inferior to BT (p < 0.025) but not statistically significant compared to SM. These findings indicate that MBTI, a new MBI which combines mindfulness practices with behavioral sleep components, can be effective at reducing cognitive-emotional arousal related to insomnia while MBSR, a general MBI, can increase positive affect at a level similar to a standard behavioral treatment for insomnia.

Contemplative Neuroscience as a Gateway to Mindfulness: Findings from an Educationally Framed Teacher Learning Program

A growing number of publications have been exploring the possible effects of mindfulness-based interventions on teachers’ well-being and their professional lives. Notwithstanding promising results in this domain, this paper identifies some difficulties involved in introducing teachers to mindfulness and proposes that there may be a need to develop alternative routes by which to expose more teachers to experiences of mindfulness. We report on a mixed method study of a 5-week teacher learning program implemented in an Israeli middle school with 30 teachers, 28 of which were females, with an age range of 29–55. The program was designed to invite teachers into initial experiences with mindfulness without formally engaging in mindfulness practice but rather based on studying education-relevant brain theory through a contemplative pedagogical approach. Outcomes were analyzed quantitatively by comparing collaborative concept maps created by the participants before and after undergoing the program, and qualitatively by analyzing themes extracted from the participants’ discourse. Findings show that the program (a) mobilized teachers from fixed to growth mindsets in regard to their role as educators as reflected in a significant increase in teachers’ beliefs that basic brain abilities are malleable (as extracted from the concept maps, p = 0.004), (b) offered them initial experiences of mindfulness, and (c) possibly opened them to consider more direct approaches to mindfulness practice that are offered in mindfulness-based interventions.

Mindfulness-based interventions modulate structural network strength in patients with opioid dependence

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are increasingly used in the treatment of patients with mental disorders, in particular in individuals presenting with affective disorders or in patients exhibiting abnormal levels of impulsive behavior. MBI have been also offered to patients with substance use disorders, where such treatment options may yield considerable clinical effects. Neural effects associated with MBI have been increasingly acknowledged, but is unknown whether MBI exert specific effects on brain structure in patients with substance use disorders. In this study, we investigated 19 inpatients with opioid dependence receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU, n = 9) or additional MBI (n = 10). Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired before and after four weeks of treatment. Source-based morphometry was used to investigate modulation of structural networks after treatment. Both treatment modalities led to significant clinical improvement. Patients receiving MBI showed a significant change in distress tolerance levels. An increase in bilateral striatal/insular and prefrontal/cingulate network strength was found in patients receiving MBI compared to individuals receiving TAU. Prefrontal/cingulate cortical network strength was associated with impulsivity levels. These findings suggest that MBI can have a recognizable role in treatment of substance use disorders and that neural effects of MBI may be captured in terms of frontostriatal structural network change.

Mindfulness-based interventions for major depressive disorder: A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundThis is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for a current episode of major depressive disorder. MethodsBoth English (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases) and Chinese (WanFang and CNKI) databases were systematically and independently searched. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RR) ± their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the random effects model were calculated. ResultsA total of 11 RCTs with 12 treatment arms (n = 764; MBIs = 363; and control group = 401) were identified and analyzed. Compared to the control group, MDD subjects receiving MBIs showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms (n =722; SMD: −0.59, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.17, I2 = 85%, p = 0.006) at post-MBIs assessment, but the significance disappeared by the end of posttreatment follow-up. Subgroup analyses revealed that positive benefits of MBIs was associated with studies that had treatment as usual (TAU) control group, Chinese participants, open label design, no gender predominance, subjects younger than 44.4 years, and Jadad score ≥ 3, other illness phase and MBIs as augmentation group. ConclusionThis meta-analysis found that MBIs was associated with reduction of depression severity immediately after MBIs but not at follow up endpoint. Further, the positive effects of MBIs were mainly driven by outlying studies. Higher quality of RCTs with larger samples and longer study duration are needed to confirm the findings.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Diabetes: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Diabetes: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis

Overcoming the effect of low self-esteem on public speaking anxiety with mindfulness-based interventions

Although public speaking anxiety (PSA) is the most commonly experienced type of anxiety, the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on PSA is not firmly established. To shed light on this relationship, the present study proposes a model examining the mediating effect of self-esteem in explaining this link. The data for the present study were collected from 227 executives pursuing a 2-year management education program. Public speaking being an essential part of this program, the participants voluntarily completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety. Based on a quantitative approach, the study demonstrates that the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on public speaking anxiety could be better understood by taking into account the mediating variable—self-esteem. The study concludes by discussing conceptual contributions, limitations and future research avenues.

Mindfulness interventions in medical education: A systematic review of their impact on medical student stress, depression, fatigue and burnout

Introduction: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained popularity in medical education. A systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of MBIs for reducing psychological distress in undergraduate medical students.Methods: A search protocol was conducted using online databases Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Articles were required to meet the following criteria to be included: (1) describe a MBI or use of mindfulness exercises as part of an intervention, (2) include at least one of: stress, burnout, fatigue, or depression, as an outcome, (3) include quantitative outcomes, and (4) published in English in a peer-reviewed journal.Results: Twelve articles were reviewed. Seven studies reported improvements in at least one targeted outcome. Four of seven studies exploring the impact on stress reported improvements. Five articles studying depression reported reductions. One study exploring burnout reported a decrease on a single subscale. Only one study measured the impact on fatigue (no change reported). Half of studies reviewed included predominantly female samples.Conclusions: Mixed evidence was found for the use of MBIs for reducing psychological distress in undergraduate medical students. Future work should aim to clarify the impact of mindfulness on burnout and fatigue, and explore the replicability of improvements in male medical students alone.

Increased Salivary IgA Response as an Indicator of Immunocompetence After a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Intervention

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been consolidated in healthcare settings as a highly useful therapeutic approach. Numerous studies have demonstrated their positive influence on physical and psychological well-being. In contrast, the scientific evidence concerning the potential beneficial effects of mindfulness on biological variables such as health indicators is still scarce. Therefore, in this study, we sought to analyse the influence of a mindfulness and self-compassion-based intervention on levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in order to validate its use in field studies. A secondary objective of the study was to confirm the associated decline in salivary cortisol (Csal) levels and improvements in self-reported health and mood already described in the general population. For this purpose, we conducted a longitudinal design, collecting saliva samples and self-reports before and immediately after the first and the last session of the intervention. Results show an improvement in health and self-reported mood, along with an increase in the sIgA levels of participants and a reduction in Csal levels. These results reinforce existing evidence of the beneficial effects of mindfulness and self-compassion on health, evaluated from a holistic perspective, considering both biological and self-reported variables. Moreover, as already done with other biological indicators such as Csal, sIgA could be used in clinical settings to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs.