Levels Of Mindfulness Research Articles

Immediate impact of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) among women with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) may have positive physiological and psychological benefits for breast cancer survivors. However, few studies involved a combination of the relevant literatures to confirm the effects.MethodsOur study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs comparing interventions of MBCT and control protocols for alleviation of symptoms among breast cancer survivors. We calculated pooled mean differences (MDs), standardized mean differences (SMDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using random effects models to estimate summary effect sizes.ResultsThirteen trials with 20–245 participants were considered in our studies; for the meta-analysis, 11 of these studies were eligible for assessment. The pooled meta-analysis results revealed that at the end of the MBCT intervention, participants’ anxiety (SMD, − 0.70; 95% CI, − 1.26 to − 0.13; I2 = 69%), pain (SMD, − 0.64; 95% CI, − 0.92 to − 0.37; I2 = 0%), and depression (SMD, − 0.65; 95% CI, − 1.14 to − 0.17; I2 = 75%) levels significantly decreased, and their mindfulness (MD, 8.83; 95% CI, 3.88 to 13.78; I2 = 68%) levels significantly increased.ConclusionThe MBCT may be associated with improved pain, anxiety, depression, and mindfulness. However, the quantitative analysis pointed to an inconclusive result due to moderate to high levels of heterogeneity among indicator of anxiety, depression, and mindfulness. Future work requires more studies to better elucidate the clinical significance of this possible association. The results suggest that MBCT is highly beneficial as an intervention for patients who have received treatment for breast cancer.

Do Meditation, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion Impact Utilitarian Moral Judgment?

ObjectivesMeditation practices, mindfulness, and self-compassion have been found to affect our physical and mental well-being in many ways. However, can they also affect our moral judgment, for example, what we think about right and wrong? This study aims to explore the potential influence of meditation, mindfulness and self-compassion on utilitarian moral judgments.MethodIn Study 1 (n = 316), we measured participants’ frequency of meditation, their level of mindfulness, self-compassion, and their utilitarian moral judgment through two well-known moral dilemmas (switch and bridge) and using a two-dimensional model of moral psychology (the Oxford Utilitarianism Scale with negative, i.e., instrumental harm, and positive, i.e., impartial beneficence dimensions). In Study 2 (n = 41), we conducted a psychological 8-week mindfulness course and measured the same variables as in Study 1 before and after the course.ResultsIn Study 1, we observed that participants who meditated more often exhibited lower levels of instrumental harm. In Study 2, we found that participants had a lower level of impartial beneficence after the 8-week mindfulness course.ConclusionsPractices such as meditation may be related to moral judgment, specifically to lower acceptance of harming others (instrumental harm), but they may also reduce the concern for the welfare of as many people as possible (impartial beneficence). Further research is needed to understand better if and how moral judgments may change when people meditate and develop their mindfulness and self-compassion.PreregistrationThe studies were not pre-registered.

A-01 Trait Mindfulness Gains Associated with Executive Functioning Improvements Following Physical Exercise in Older Adults

Abstract Purpose Although there are certain injury risks associated with sports participation (e.g., concussion), there are also neuropsychological benefits relating to physical activity. Evidence suggests that trait mindfulness (TM) may contribute to the neuropsychological benefits of physical activity and exercise, including those pertaining to executive functioning (EF) and mood. The present study aimed to investigate the degree to which changes in TM accounted for changes in neuropsychological functioning following a remote physical exercise training program for older adults. It was hypothesized that increases in TM would predict improvements in self-reported EF and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methods As part of a larger RCT, 43 older adults (70% females, 65-81 years-old) from across Canada completed an online assessment measuring TM, EF, and mood before and after engaging in an 8-week remote physical exercise training program. Results Linear regression analyses showed that pre-post changes in TM explained a significant proportion of variance in self-reported changes in EF, r2=.18, F(1,24)=5.11, p<.05, but did not for symptoms of depression, r2=.06, F(1,24)= 1.53, p= 23 or anxiety, r2=.04, F(1,24)=1.08, p=.31. More specifically, bivariate correlations demonstrated that gains in TM were significantly associated with increases in reported impulse control, r=.48, p=.01, and empathy, r=.42, p<.05. Conclusions These results suggest that for older adults engaging in exercise, gains in trait mindfulness may be associated with benefits to certain aspects of executive functioning. These findings also invite sports neuropsychologists to consider level of mindfulness when evaluating individuals (e.g., athletes) engaged in exercise.

A six-component conceptualization of the psychosocial well-being of school leaders: devising a framework of occupational well-being for Irish primary principals

ABSTRACT Drawing on a multidimensional conceptualization of occupational well-being, this mixed methods study aimed to ascertain levels of psychosocial well-being of a sample of Irish primary principals (n = 488). A Framework of Occupational Well-Being was devised which facilitated the first psychometric measurement of their levels of burnout, job satisfaction, trait mindfulness, work motivation, perception of fairness and the satisfaction/frustration of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness). Subsequent interviews provided supporting qualitative data and an evaluation by principals of the current management structure of Irish primary schools, 90% of which are governed by Catholic Boards of Management to whom principals are answerable in all their professional decision making. As employers, Boards’ compliance with EU and Irish Occupational H&S directives is examined toward an understanding of the level of protection provided to principals. Results reveal high levels of burnout, anxiety, depression and autonomy frustration among principals alongside low levels of trait mindfulness and low perception of fairness regarding workload and remuneration. Beyond its application in the education sector, the Framework of Occupational Well-Being may prove useful for policy makers and as an assessment tool for employers of other white-collar workers as it provides both a definition of psychosocial well-being and a means by which to measure it

Would you try it again? Dual effects of customer mindfulness on service recovery

Service failures have a negative impact on customer experience. Research in the field has looked for ways to reduce this negative impact, but little is known about the role of customer mindfulness in this context. Two quantitative scenario-based studies (ntotal=613) were conducted. Study 1 (experimental, between-subject design) showed that mindfulness moderates the relationship between attributions of benevolence and post-purchase intention (i.e., stronger effects for low mindful customers). Study 2 (follow-up, within-subject design) showed that the level of customer mindfulness is positively associated with a preference for explanation as a service recovery tactic. This research highlights the dual effects (positive vs. negative) of customer mindfulness in the context of service failure.

Accepting Things as They Are: Dispositional Mindfulness, Decentering, Self-Compassion, and the Impact of Stuttering on Adults Who Stutter.

Mindfulness is defined as intentional, present-moment, nonjudgmental awareness. Previous studies have proposed that mindfulness practice may benefit people who stutter. This study aimed to test the relationship between levels of dispositional mindfulness in people who stutter and the impact of stuttering and whether self-compassion and the metacognitive ability of shifting to an objective perspective (decentering) mediate this relationship. It is hypothesized that greater dispositional mindfulness is associated with attenuated negative impact of stuttering on a person's life through a higher capability to shift into an objective and compassionate perspective. A total of 150 Israeli adults who stutter completed a full online survey in Hebrew to assess their levels of dispositional mindfulness, self-compassion, decentering capability, and impact of stuttering on their lives. The relationships between constructs were assessed using Pearson's correlation and mediation analysis. The adverse impact of stuttering was negatively and moderately associated with dispositional mindfulness, such that individuals with greater self-reported dispositional mindfulness reported fewer reactions to stuttering, difficulty in communication, and higher quality of life. This relationship was fully and sequentially mediated via decentering and self-compassion, which were also negatively and moderately associated with the impact of stuttering. People who stutter with greater dispositional mindfulness have an increased ability to view their experiences in a more objective and compassionate manner, which is associated with an attenuated impact of stuttering on their lives. As these capabilities can be cultivated through practice, this study proposes mindfulness practice as an additional beneficial tool for people who stutter.

Moderating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between anxiety and somatization symptoms in middle-aged and elderly female patients with hypertension.

To explore the moderating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between anxiety and somatization symptoms in middle-aged and elderly female patients with hypertension and provide a foundation for the development of more effective mindfulness intervention strategies. A total of 109 middle-aged and elderly female patients with hypertension participated in this cross-sectional study from April to July 2022 and provided valid responses to the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Somatization Symptom Self-rating Scale (SSS). The moderating effect of mindfulness was determined using multiple linear regression. The participants' average scores were as follows: mindfulness: 123.86±10.49; anxiety: 7.41±3.62; and somatization symptoms: 41.2±9.44. The anxiety (P=.000) and somatization symptoms (P=.001) of participants with high mindfulness were significantly reduced. Anxiety was positively correlated with somatization symptoms (r=0.606, P=.000), while mindfulness was negatively correlated with both anxiety (r=-0.468, P=.000) and somatization symptoms (r=-0.439, P=.000). Moreover, mindfulness had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between anxiety and somatization symptoms (n=109) (B=-0.166, t=-2.125, P=.036). The effect of mindfulness on anxiety and somatization symptoms was more significant in participants with low mindfulness levels (n=56) (B=0.144, t=2.805, P=.008) than in participants with high mindfulness levels (n=53) (B=-0.037, t=-0.864, P=.393). The moderating effect analysis based on regression analysis showed that mindfulness had a significant moderating effect on anxiety and somatization symptoms, especially in participants with low mindfulness levels.

Effects of a positive education programme on secondary school students’ mental health and wellbeing; challenges of the school context

ABSTRACT Previous research has demonstrated wellbeing benefits for positive education programmes (PEPs) facilitated by clinicians or experts or outside the school context. The current study explored the effects of a Year 10 PEP led by teachers trained in positive education and embedded within the Australian secondary school context. A mixed-methods design compared students receiving PEP (n = 119) with a wellbeing-as-usual comparison group (n = 34) matched on age and socioeconomic status. Depression, anxiety, autonomy, gratitude and mindfulness levels did not differ between groups. Levels of satisfaction with life and relatedness were significantly higher for the intervention than for the comparison students at the post-intervention time point. Qualitative analyses revealed that students valued having engaging and relatable teachers, brief interactive sessions and personally relevant applied content. School-based PEPs may therefore provide some limited ongoing support as students transition into their senior years of secondary school. Delivering positive education within the school context, however, raises challenges relating to levels of teacher training and availability. Capturing the student voice in the current study was valuable and indicated that both teacher and programme factors were central to student engagement in PEPs.

Protective positive psychology factors and emotional distress after cardiac arrest

BackgroundThere is a critical need to identify factors that can prevent emotional distress post-cardiac arrest (CA). CA survivors have previously described benefitting from utilizing positive psychology constructs (mindfulness, existential well-being, resilient coping, social support) to cope with distress. Here, we explored associations between positive psychology factors and emotional distress post-CA. MethodsWe recruited CA survivors treated from 4/2021–9/2022 at a single academic medical center. We assessed positive psychology factors (mindfulness [Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised], existential well-being [Meaning in Life Questionnaire Presence of Meaning subscale], resilient coping [Brief Resilient Coping Scale], perceived social support [ENRICHD Social Support Inventory]) and emotional distress (posttraumatic stress [Posttraumatic Stress Checklist-5], anxiety and depression symptoms [PROMIS Emotional Distress – Anxiety and Depression Short Forms 4a]) just before discharge from the index hospitalization. We selected covariates for inclusion in our multivariable models based on an association with any emotional distress factor (p < 0.10). For our final, multivariable regression models, we individually tested the independent association of each positive psychology factor and emotional distress factor. ResultsWe included 110 survivors (mean age 59 years, 64% male, 88% non-Hispanic White, 48% low income); 36.4% of survivors scored above the cut-off for at least one measure of emotional distress. In separate adjusted models, each positive psychology factor was independently associated with emotional distress (β: −0.20 to −0.42, all p < 0.05). ConclusionsHigher levels of mindfulness, existential well-being, resilient coping, and perceived social support were each associated with less emotional distress. Future intervention development studies should consider these factors as potential treatment targets.

Mindfulness for violinists

An overabundance of mental distractions may prevent musicians’ minds from being in the moment while practicing. The present mixed-methods study examined the effects of three newly designed mindfulness meditations on six conservatory violinists’ levels of dispositional mindfulness, mind-wandering and respective variables. Thought probes were used before and after the intervention to examine frequency of mind-wandering and contextual variables (task difficulty, fatigue and stress, and motivation) during two hours of participants’ instrumental practice (one of technical work another of a new piece in their repertoire). FFQM (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire) and MfM (Mindfulness for Musicians) questionnaires were used to measure mindfulness levels before and after the intervention. Interviews and meditation logs were used as qualitative data. Results indicated that all participants became more mindful at the end of the meditation week for all mindfulness’ facets for the FFQM and MfM questionnaires. However, the improvements were particularly noticeable for the “Acting with Awareness” and “Non-Judge” facets for the FFQM and for “Describe” in the MfM. Results showed opposing trends in mind-wandering levels throughout the intervention. That is, some participants showed higher mind-wandering at the post-intervention and others lower. However, contextual variables such as fatigue, motivation or worry, may have also affected how much participants wandered while practicing (e.g. some of them showed more rumination when being more worried and having slept less). Overall, results from the experiment evidenced the importance of including mindfulness in violinists’ daily practice as a useful routine to become more aware and less distracted.

Benefits of Mindfulness Training on the Mental Health of Women During Pregnancy and Early Motherhood: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention on depression, anxiety, fear of childbirth (FOC), and life satisfaction of pregnant women in China. MethodsWomen experiencing first-time pregnancy (n = 104) were randomly allocated to the intervention group or a parallel active control group. We collected data at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), 3 days after delivery (T2), and 42 days after delivery (T3). The participants completed questionnaires for the assessment of the levels of depression, anxiety, FOC, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. Differences between the two groups and changes within the same group were analyzed at four time points using repeated-measures analysis of variance. ResultsCompared with the active control group, the intervention group reported lower depression levels at T2 (P = 0.038) and T3 (P = 0.013); reduced anxiety at T1 (P = 0.001) and T2 (P = 0.003); reduced FOC at T1 (P < 0.001) and T2 (P = 0.04); increased life satisfaction at T1 (P < 0.001) and T3 (P = 0.015); and increased mindfulness at T1 (P = 0.01) and T2 (P = 0.006). ConclusionThe mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention effectively increased life satisfaction and reduced perinatal depression, anxiety, and FOC.

Exploring the Mediating Role of Non-Attachment in the Relationship between Mindfulness and Subjective Wellbeing in Pakistani context

The study aims to explore the role of nonattachment in relation to mindfulness and subjective wellbeing and provides an insight into the imperatives nonattachment plays in achieving mindfulness. This quantitative study was conducted in a mid-size Pakistani university and the participants were faculty and students. 384 (141 men and 243 women) age group from 16 to above 40 years of age were contacted via email to complete online survey. The descriptive statistics analysis was done by using SPSS and Smart PLS. The Findings affirm that greater levels of mindfulness and nonattachment are correlated in a positive way contributing to greater life satisfaction furthermore; nonattachment has a positive influence on negative emotions. The study is in line with the existing research conducted on the association of nonattachment with subjective wellbeing and is a replication of the previous findings for the association of mindfulness and personal wellbeing. Result suggests that to achieve optimal psychological wellbeing conditions with significant increment in positive emotions and life satisfaction, connection of mindfulness to a wide variety of mental effects are partly decided with the aid of using nonattachment. The result findings offer perception into the effect of mindfulness on intellectual fitness and feature implications for improving and evaluating life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing.

Understanding the Environmental Attitude-Behaviour Gap: The Moderating Role of Dispositional Mindfulness

Great scientific effort has been devoted to understanding what drives pro-environmental behaviour, yet the question of the environmental attitude–behaviour gap remains unanswered. Studies have indicated that self-regulation and executive functions may reduce such a gap by increasing individuals’ ability to maintain attention on present actions and to resist goal-conflicting temptations. Given the inherent association of self-regulation and executive functions with dispositional mindfulness, we carried out a cross-sectional study to test the hypothesis of the role of dispositional mindfulness in explaining the phenomenon. Our results showed that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness, measured via the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), are related to a higher tendency to perform pro-environmental behaviour, and that the observing facet of the construct would predict higher pro-environmental behaviour scores. Interestingly, we also found the acting with awareness and nonjudging factors to be moderators of the relationship between pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours, suggesting that enhanced awareness of the present moment may favour higher congruence between attitudes and behaviours, and that higher acceptance may favour more adaptive coping strategies to the climate challenge. Our findings provide a novel contribution to the understanding of the relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviour and support the perspective that self-regulation skills would contribute to reducing the environmental attitude–behaviour gap.

Mediating effect of mindfulness level on the relationship between marital quality and postpartum depression among primiparas.

Postpartum depression refers to a depressive episode or depressive symptoms up to 12 mo after delivery. Trait mindfulness has presented a protective factor for postpartum depressive symptoms and proved efficient in improving relationship satisfaction among couples. To investigate the correlations among mindfulness, marital quality, anxiety, and depression in a large city in western China during the post-corona virus infectious disease-2019 era and determine whether trait mindfulness mediates the relationship between marital quality and postpartum anxiety and depression among primiparas. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The self-administered questionnaire was submitted online through smartphones. The levels of mindfulness, anxiety, depression, and marital quality were respectively investigated by the mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS), the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), the self-rating depression scale (SDS), and the marriage perception scale (MPS) in these enrolled Han and Tujia primiparas. No statistical significance was observed in the prevalence of postpartum anxiety and depression, nor scores of MAAS and MPS-Total in different regions or ethnicities (P > 0.05). However, MPS-Marital interaction (P < 0.05), MPS-Family relationship (MPS-FR) (P < 0.01), and MPS-Marital conflict (MPS-MC) (P < 0.01) scores of urban primiparas were higher than those of rural primiparas. The MPS-MC score of Han primiparas was higher than that of Tujia primiparas (P < 0.05). Negative correlations were observed between MAAS and SAS (r = -0.457, P < 0.01), and MAAS and SDS (r = -0.439, P < 0.01). SAS has revealed a highly positive correlation with SDS (r = 0.720, P < 0.01) and a weak negative correlation with MPS (r = -0.200, P < 0.05). Besides, a weak negative correlation was observed between MAAS and MPS-MC (r = -0.184, P < 0.05), and a weak positive correlation was noticed between SAS and MPS-MC (r = -0.225, P < 0.01). Mediation analysis demonstrated a full mediation effect of mindfulness level on the relationship between MPS-FR and postpartum anxiety (P < 0.05, 95%CI: -0.384 to 0.033), MPS-MC and postpartum anxiety (P < 0.01, 95%CI: 0.027-0.193), MPS-FR and postpartum depression (P < 0.05, 95%CI: -0.365 to 0.031), and MPS-MC and postpartum depression (P < 0.01, 95%CI: 0.022-0.206). Mindfulness demonstrates negative correlations with marital conflict, postpartum anxiety and depression, and it may have cross-ethnic and trans-regional characteristics. Although the mindfulness levels have revealed no significant mediating effect between the total score of marital quality and postpartum depression in this study, it demonstrates a full mediation effect on the relationships between family relationships, marital conflict, and postpartum anxiety and depression.

Gebelik, Doğum ve Ebeveynlikte Farkındalık

The aim of this review was to draw attention to mindfulness in the periods of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood, and the importance and efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in these periods. It is clear that mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions have improving effects on psychosocial health outcomes. In periods such as pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood, the benefit of these interventions seems to provide an effective means of reducing depressive symptoms and the perceived stress and anxiety levels. Increasing the level of mindfulness in these periods is an intervention which provides the woman with a positive birth experience, reduces the possibility of postpartum depression, and facilitates the adaptation process to parenthood. Mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions can be easily used in many areas in the provision of health services. The benefit of these interventions in the periods of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood will increase the psychological well-being of the woman and reduce potential mental health problems to a minimum. As parents with a high level of mindfulness will raise a healthy individual, this will contribute to the formation of a healthy society.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Stress Reduction and Psychological Wellbeing of University Students in Pakistan: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The rise in mental health concerns of university students is causing a serious hinderance to their wellbeing, impeding their functioning. The socio-economic and political friction in low- and middle-income countries adds to their vulnerability and calls for a cost-effective indigenous intervention. Consequently, this study aimed to inform a large definitive trial by assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design evaluating a culturally adapted online Mindfulness Training Course (MTC) used to improve stress and wellbeing among Pakistani university students. A two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. University students (n = 156) were randomly assigned to either the MTC group (n = 80) or Wait-list (WL) control group (n = 76) and completed baseline and post-intervention self-report measures for mindfulness, stress and psychological wellbeing. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with consenting MTC group participants (n = 18) to explore their views about MTC, employing reflexive thematic analysis. Of 80 participants randomized to the MTC group, 32 completed the course, whereas, from the 156 randomized participants, 102 completed assessment surveys. Feasibility and acceptability indicators showed high recruitment, compliance, and adherence to MTC, with practical steps for randomization and online data collection. Further results showed higher levels of mindfulness and psychological wellbeing and lowered stress levels in the MTC group compared to the control group. The attrition and dropout rates were high; however, the feedback from participants who completed the MTC was highly positive and encouraging. In conclusion, if the trial proceeds with increased outreach in a large-scale RCT, the recruitment might be revised to reduce attrition rates. Further recommendations are discussed.

Validation of online mindfulness-enhanced course for stress reduction in teachers.

Mindfulness-based interventions have gained popularity as a means of reducing stress and increasing resilience among the preclinical population. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an online mindfulness-enhanced course on stress reduction in teachers, especially since online learning and teaching have been frequently applied to respond to emergencies such as COVID-19-relevant school suspension. The study consisted of two phases. Phase 1 aimed to explore the relationship between teachers' perceived stress and mindfulness traits. In total of 6,252 teachers completed assessments of stress symptoms using the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) and occupational stress sources, as well as mindfulness using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Phase 2 aimed to examine the effectiveness of the online mindfulness-enhanced course. In total of 132 teachers were randomly assigned to either receive a 3-week online mindfulness course specifically designed for stress reduction and emotion regulation (N = 66) or a matched active control group (N = 66) and their pre-training and post-training self-reported states (e.g., perceived stress, mindfulness level, practice time) were measured. The detection rate of Health Risk Stress (≥26 scores) was as high as 61.72%, and a negative association between the score of FFMQ and perceived stress level was found. Importantly, compared to the control group, the mindfulness training group showed a significant decrease in perceived stress and negative emotion, as well as an increase in understanding of the core mechanisms of mindfulness after training. Additionally, individual improvement in FFMQ scores was predicted by practice time. The study showed a high percentage of teachers experiencing stress, and the data supported the reliability and validity of the brief online mindfulness-enhanced course designed to reduce stress and regulate emotion for frontline teachers.

The effect of regular exercise on depression, anxiety, treatment motivation and mindfulness in addiction: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study is to examine the effect of regular exercise on depressive anxiety symptoms, treatment motivation and mindfulness levels in individuals who are alcohol or substance dependent. Methods The study had two arms and was randomized controlled: (A) Patients assigned to standard medical treatment, (B) Patients who receive standard treatment are also given access to supervised group exercise. Patients in the exercise group were given exercise for 3 weeks. Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Treatment Motivation Scale (TMQ) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were administered to the patients at the beginning and end of the treatment. Results There was a decrease in HAM-A, HAM-D scores, an increase in TMQ and MAAS scores, and improvement after treatment in both groups. However, there was a significant change in HAM-A, HAM-D and TMQ scores in the group that added exercise to their treatment compared to the group that received only standard therapy. There was no significant difference in MAAS scores. Conclusion It was discovered as a result that including exercise in addiction therapy could enhance the therapeutic response. Longer-term studies with greater sample sizes must be planned and carried out to produce more trustworthy results.

Online structured dance/movement therapy reduces bodily detachment in depersonalization-derealization disorder

BackgroundDepersonalization-derealization disorder (DDD) is a dissociative disorder encompassing pronounced disconnections from the self and from external reality. As DDD is inherently tied to a detachment from the body, dance/movement therapy could provide an innovative treatment approach. Materials and methodsWe developed two online dance tasks to reduce detachment either by training body awareness (BA task) or enhancing the salience of bodily signals through dance exercise (DE task). Individuals with DDD (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 29) performed both tasks individually in a cross-over design. We assessed symptom severity (Cambridge Depersonalization Scale), interoceptive awareness (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness – II), mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), and body vigilance (Body Vigilance Scale) before, during and after the tasks. ResultsAt baseline, individuals with DDD exhibited elevated depersonalization-derealization symptoms alongside lower levels of interoceptive awareness and mindfulness compared to controls. Both tasks reduced symptoms in the DDD group, though dance exercise was perceived as easier. The DE task increased mindfulness in those with DDD more than the BA task, whereas controls showed the opposite pattern. In the DDD group, within-subject correlations showed that lower levels of symptoms were associated with task-specific elevations in interoceptive awareness and mindfulness. ConclusionIndividual and structured dance/movement practice, performed at home without an instructor present, offers an effective tool to reduce symptoms in DDD and can be tailored to address specific cognitive components of a mindful engagement with the body.

Lower Mindfulness is Associated with Problematic Social Media Use: A Meta-Analysis

Problematic social media use consists of use that interferes with individuals’ functioning, such as for example in failing to complete important tasks. A number of studies have investigated the association of trait mindfulness with problematic social media use. This meta-analysis synthesised research from 14 studies and a total of 5355 participants to examine the association between mindfulness and problematic social media use across studies. A lower level of mindfulness was associated with more problematic social media use, with a weighted effect size of r = -.37, 95% CI [-.42, -.33], k = 14, p < .001.