Mind-body Awareness Research Articles

Integrating Tradition and Science: A Holistic Approach to Lower Back Pain Management with Yoga and Neurotherapy

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread global health issue affecting 40 to 80% of adults. Conventional treatments like medications, physical therapy, and surgery often provide only temporary relief and can lead to reinjury and persistent disability. This has sparked growing interest in non-conventional approaches for long-term solutions. This review investigates the potential of integrating ancient traditions and modern scientific findings, specifically Yoga and Neurotherapy, to manage LBP effectively. Literature Review: Existing literature highlights the limitations of conventional LBP treatments and the rising interest in holistic, long-term solutions. Yoga is well-documented for enhancing physical function, promoting relaxation, and improving mind-body awareness. Neurotherapy focuses on regulating the nervous system to modulate pain. By synthesizing various studies, this review presents an integrated approach that leverages the strengths of both Yoga and Neurotherapy for LBP management. Materials and Methods: To explore the effectiveness of Yoga and Neurotherapy in LBP management, a systematic analysis of scientific literature was conducted. Databases such as PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar were searched using keywords like "Yoga," "Neurotherapy," "Low Back Pain," and "integrative treatment." Relevant articles were selected based on their contributions to understanding the mechanisms, effectiveness, and clinical applications of these therapies. Results: The analysis revealed that both Yoga and Neurotherapy offer substantial benefits for LBP sufferers. Yoga enhances physical function, promotes relaxation, and improves mind-body awareness, contributing to long-term relief. Neurotherapy regulates the nervous system to modulate pain, providing an additional layer of management. Combining these approaches creates a synergistic effect, improving patient outcomes more effectively than either treatment alone. Conclusion: Integrating Yoga and Neurotherapy provides a comprehensive, holistic solution for managing LBP, addressing the physical, mental, and neurological dimensions of pain. This review highlights the importance of such integrated strategies and suggests future research should focus on optimizing these approaches to enhance patient outcomes and provide long-term relief from LBP.

Effects of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Supportive Sex Education on Sexual Concordance and Sexual Response Among Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder

ABSTRACT Low interest in sexual activity and impaired sexual response are among women’s most frequent sexual concerns. Mindfulness-based treatments improve low sexual desire and arousal and associated distress. One theorized mechanism of change is the cultivation of increased mind-body awareness via greater concordance between psychological and physiological components of sexual response. We examined sexual psychophysiology data from 148 cisgender women randomized to receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MCBT: n = 70) or supportive sex education (STEP: n = 78) over eight weekly group sessions. Women completed in-lab assessments of subjective, affective, and genital sexual responses to an erotic film pre- and post-treatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Both groups showed positive changes in sexual and affective responses, but these were generally more pronounced for MBCT. MCBT increased sexual concordance to a greater degree, and gains in sexual concordance predicted improvements in sexual distress throughout treatment.

Participation in a yoga intervention is associated with improved mental health among Latinx adolescents.

Latinx youth with mental health disorders have worse outcomes when compared to their White (non-Hispanic) counterparts. Latinx youth also have less access to and lower utilization of mental health services. Emerging research supports the psychological and physical benefits of engaging in yoga and yoga may function as a complimentary treatment option for patients with mental health challenges. However, research assessing the efficacy of yoga and mindfulness is particularly sparse among Latinx youth, who may particularly benefit from mind body awareness activities given barriers to more traditional health approaches. The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the effects of a 12-week Vinyasa flow-based yoga group intervention on anxiety, depression, empathy, and life satisfaction among adolescents receiving outpatient mental health treatment. Adolescents (n=186; 12-17years old) were recruited to an active intervention condition (Yoga); a subsequent group of participants (n=91) were recruited in the same manner to an assessment-only comparison control condition (Comparison). The Yoga group participated in culturally and developmentally tailored group yoga classes for 12weeks. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the main effect intervention response between participants in the two conditions. At the post-intervention assessment, after controlling for baseline levels of outcome variables (i.e., depression, anxiety, empathy, and life satisfaction), on average participants in the yoga condition reported: less depression symptoms (B=-1.54, p=0.008), less anxiety symptoms (B=-0.75, p=0.048), greater empathy (B=1.32, p=0.025) and greater life satisfaction (B=0.30, p=0.013) as compared to the Comparison condition. Yoga interventions can be an acceptable and feasible modality for promoting well-being and reducing mental health problems among Latinx youth.

The impact of mindfulness on suicidal behavior: a systematic review.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been growing progressively as treatment options in the field of mental health. Aim: To assess the impact of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A systematic review was performed in December 2020 using PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SciELO, Pepsic, and LILACS databases with no year restrictions. The search strategy included the terms ('mindfulness' OR 'mindfulness-based') AND ('suicide' OR 'suicidal' OR 'suicide risk' OR 'suicide attempt' OR 'suicide ideation' OR 'suicide behavior'). The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), CRD42020219514. A total of 14 studies met all inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Most of the studies presented Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as the MBI assessed (n=10). An emerging and rapidly growing literature on MBI presents promising results in reduction of suicide risk, particularly in patients with MDD. Four studies assessing other MBI treatment protocols (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; Daily Mindfulness Meditation Practice; Mind Body Awareness and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy) all demonstrated that MBI reduces factors associated with suicide risk. MBI might target specific processes and contribute to suicide risk reduction.

Can Yoga Boost Access to the Bodily and Emotional Self? Changes in Heart Rate Variability and in Affective Evaluation Before, During and After a Single Session of Yoga Exercise With and Without Instructions of Controlled Breathing and Mindful Body Awareness in Young Healthy Women.

Exercise is indispensable for a healthy lifestyle. Yoga exercise can have positive effects on well-being and on cardiac autonomic activity making it an ideal intervention for improving mind-body interactions and resilience to physical and mental stressors. Emotions trigger especially strong bodily and affective-cognitive responses because of their social relevance for the self and their biological relevance of mobilizing the organism for action. This study investigates whether changes in emotion processing related to self-other referential processing and changes in cardiac autonomic activity, reflected by heart rate variability (HRV), occur immediately after already a single session of yoga exercise when yoga postures are practiced with or without breathing- and mindful body awareness instructions. Women, all university students (N = 34, final sample: n = 30, n = 25 naïve to yoga practice) were randomly assigned to two experimental groups who performed the same yoga exercises with or without controlled breathing and mindfulness instructions. Emotional, self-other referential processing, awareness of bodily signals and HRV indicators were investigated before and after the exercise using standardized experimental tasks, standardized questionnaires, and mobile recording devices. Exercising for 30 minutes changed cardiac activity significantly. HRV measures showed adaptability of cardiac activity during the exercise as well as during the affective task post- to pre-exercise. Exercising with breathing instructions and mindful body awareness had no superior effects on cardiac, particularly parasympathetic activity, compared to practicing the same movements without such explicit instructions. Self-referential processing did not change; however, participants were faster and more accurate in their affective judgments of emotional stimuli [regardless of their reference (self/other)], and showed better awareness of bodily signals after compared to before the exercise session. The results support immediate, adaptive effects of yoga exercise on cardiac and affective-cognitive processing in an all-female healthy sample. Therefore, yoga exercise could be recommended as a physical activity for boosting cardiac and emotional resilience in this target group.

A Population-Practice-Based Model to Understand How Yoga Impacts on Human Global Functioning: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction:Research is increasingly demonstrating a range of benefits of practicing yoga, such as improved physical and mental health, social connectedness, and self-care. Mechanisms of action are less well understood, but may include both psychological and physiological changes. The aim of this study was to understand more about benefits and mechanisms of yoga practice, using qualitative data collected from a large-scale survey of yoga use in the United Kingdom. Methods: The mixed methods, cross-sectional online survey collected data on yoga use and perceived benefits from 2434 U.K. yoga practitioners. The qualitative survey element used open-ended questions to gain "real life" data regarding practice and perceived benefits. Data were analyzed thematically and deductively. A practice-based model describing yoga practice, mechanisms, and benefits, based on the Khalsa logic model of yoga, was developed to explain the data. Findings: Findings highlighted that a diverse range of yoga practices and nonspecific contextual factors related to practicing yoga, needed to be considered to understand how yoga was benefitting people. These practices encompassed both modern and traditional conceptions of yoga as a deeper lifestyle practice. Key mechanisms for change included improvements in physical strength and flexibility, stress regulation, resilience, equanimity, mind-body awareness, and spiritual/personal growth. These mechanisms resulted in diverse improvements in global health functioning, particularly physical and mental health and well-being. Conclusions: The Khalsa model provided a useful base upon which to guide the new population-practice-based model, to understand participants' "real life" experiences of yoga, how yoga is helping people and why. It provides important information for practitioners, teachers, and those delivering yoga interventions as to the range of skills and potential benefits of yoga practice. In addition, findings indicate directions for future research, by highlighting key yoga mechanisms that researchers may choose to focus on in future studies.

Yoga for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Health-related quality of life outcomes.

BackgroundYoga is a meditative movement therapy focused on mind‐body awareness. The impact of yoga on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients with chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is unclear.MethodsWe conducted a pilot randomized wait‐list controlled trial of 8 weeks of yoga (n = 21) versus wait‐list control (n = 20) for CIPN in 41 breast and gynecological cancer survivors with persistent moderate to severe CIPN. HRQOL endpoints were Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The Treatment Expectancy Scale (TES) was administered at baseline. We estimated mean changes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from baseline to weeks 8 and 12 and compared arms using constrained linear mixed models.ResultsAt week 8, HADS anxiety scores decreased −1.61 (−2.75, −0.46) in the yoga arm and −0.32 (−1.38, 0.75) points in the wait‐list control arm (p = 0.099). At week 12, HADS anxiety scores decreased −1.42 (−2.57, −0.28) in yoga compared to an increase of 0.46 (−0.60, 1.53) in wait‐list control (p = 0.017). There were no significant differences in HADS depression, BFI, or ISI scores between yoga and wait‐list control. Baseline TES was significantly higher in yoga than in wait‐list control (14.9 vs. 12.7, p = 0.019). TES was not associated with HADS anxiety reduction and HADS anxiety reduction was not associated with CIPN pain reduction.ConclusionsYoga may reduce anxiety in patients with CIPN. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.Clinical Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03292328.

Frontolimbic alpha activity tracks intentional rest BCI control improvement through mindfulness meditation

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are capable of translating human intentions into signals controlling an external device to assist patients with severe neuromuscular disorders. Prior work has demonstrated that participants with mindfulness meditation experience evince improved BCI performance, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we conducted a large-scale longitudinal intervention study by training participants in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR; a standardized mind–body awareness training intervention), and investigated whether and how short-term MBSR affected sensorimotor rhythm (SMR)-based BCI performance. We hypothesize that MBSR training improves BCI performance by reducing mind wandering and enhancing self-awareness during the intentional rest BCI control, which would mainly be reflected by modulations of default-mode network and limbic network activity. We found that MBSR training significantly improved BCI performance compared to controls and these behavioral enhancements were accompanied by increased frontolimbic alpha activity (9–15 Hz) and decreased alpha connectivity among limbic network, frontoparietal network, and default-mode network. Furthermore, the modulations of frontolimbic alpha activity were positively correlated with the duration of meditation experience and the extent of BCI performance improvement. Overall, these data suggest that mindfulness allows participant to reach a state where they can modulate frontolimbic alpha power and improve BCI performance for SMR-based BCI control.

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact of mindfulness-based yoga among Hispanic/Latinx adolescents

Background: The Hispanic/Latinx population constitutes the fastest growing ethnic/racial minority group in the United States (U.S.). Compared to their non-Hispanic/Latinx White counterparts, Hispanic/Latinx youth experience more depression and anxiety, and have more unmet mental health needs (88% vs 76%). Emerging research supports the psychological and physical benefits of mind-body awareness training to enhance well-being and mental health, but almost no studies have recruited ethnic/racial minority samples. Purpose: The current study examined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact of a mindfulness-based yoga program among Hispanic/Latinx public high school students. Procedures: Participants (N = 187) were recruited from a local public high school in a large multi-ethnic urban school district in the Southeast U.S. and participated in 6 weekly hour-long sessions of mindfulness-based yoga. Participants completed assessments at pretest and one month after program completion. Main Findings: The sample was predominantly Hispanic/Latinx (95%) and female (64%), on average 15.2 years old (SD = 1.3), and 51% were born outside the U.S. Participants reported on average a 14.2% reduction in depressive symptoms (pretest mean = 5.51, posttest mean = 4.73, p = .032, Cohen's d = 0.2), a 14.9% reduction in anxiety symptoms (pretest mean = 9.90, posttest mean = 8.42, p = .005, Cohen's d = 0.2), and a 21.9% reduction in stress (pretest mean = 9.66, posttest mean = 7.54, p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.5). Conclusion: These findings provide support for the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based yoga program for Hispanic/Latinx adolescents, a medically underrepresented group experiencing significant mental health disparities.

Abstract PS9-19: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in arandomized controlled trial of yoga in breast and gynecological cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Abstract Background: Yoga is a meditative movement therapy that improves body conditioning, flexibility, and balance through mind-body awareness. We conducted a two-armed pilot randomized wait-list controlled trial in breast and gynecological (GYN) cancer survivors with persistent moderate to severe chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and found that yoga significantly reduced CIPN pain. Here we report on the HRQOL results. Patients and Methods: We randomized breast and GYN cancer survivors with persistent moderate to severe CIPN to eight weeks of yoga or usual care (UC). The HRQOL endpoints were Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS), Treatment Expectancy Scale (TES), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). We estimated and compared the mean changes from baseline to weeks 8 and 12 along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between arms using linear mixed models. Results: From February 2018 to May 2019, we enrolled and randomized 41 female cancer survivors (93% breast, 7% GYN; mean (SD) age 61.7 (10.2) years; 56% white/non-Hispanic, 20% African American, 12% Asian, 12% other) to yoga (N=21) and UC (N=20) arms. The HADS anxiety score significantly reduced in the yoga arm compared to usual care at weeks 8 and 12. At baseline, the mean (95% CI) HADS anxiety score was 9.23 (7.42, 11.04) in the yoga arm, and 5.05 (3.19, 6.91) in the UC arm (p=0.002). At week 8, the mean (95% CI) HADS anxiety score decreased by -1.91 (-3.07, -0.76) points in the yoga arm, and by -0.02 (-1.10, 1.06) points in the UC arm (p=0.019). At week 12, in the yoga arm, the mean HADS anxiety score was 7.50 (5.62, 9.39), and a decrease of 1.73 (-2.88, -0.57) points; in the UC arm, the mean was 5.81 (3.94, 7.69) with an increase of 0.76 (-0.32, 1.84) points (p=0.002). There was no difference in HADS depression, BFI, and ISI scores between yoga and UC arms at baseline, week 8, and week 12. The TES at baseline was 14.9 (3.27) in the yoga arm, which was significantly higher than in the UC arm 14.9 (SD 3.27) vs. 12.7 (SD: 2.58), p= 0.019. The TES was not associated with HADS anxiety reduction, and HADS anxiety reduction was not associated with CIPN pain reduction. Conclusions: Our trial showed that a yoga intervention may be useful to reduce anxiety in patients with CIPN. We previously found that a yoga intervention reduced CIPN pain. CIPN pain reduction was not associated with anxiety reduction or TES. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and to explore the mechanism of yoga in CIPN pain reduction. Citation Format: Wanqing Iris Zhi, Raymond Baser, Lillian Zhi, Lauren Piulson, Qing Li, Ting Bao. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in arandomized controlled trial of yoga in breast and gynecological cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS9-19.

Moving Together: Livestream Virtual Group Movement Classes for Persons With Dementia and Caregivers

MOVING TOGETHER classes deliver an online live-streaming version of the evidence-based Paired PLIÉ (Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise) group movement program for people living with dementia (PLWD) and caregivers (CGs) that targets physical movements, mindful body awareness, and social engagement. Paired PLIÉ has been found to be associated with improvements in physical, cognitive, social/emotional function, and relationship quality. However, CGs also reported logistical challenges related to attending in-person classes. Our goal was to assess feasibility and satisfaction with an online version of the program developed by Together Senior Health, Inc. Fifteen of twenty-one participants (70%; 8 PLWD, 7 CGs) successfully completed the 12-week program, of whom all (100%) reported being highly satisfied with online delivery. Participants described physical, social and emotional benefits of participating: “I liked the activities with partner and that I could feel various parts of my body getting massage and movement (PLWD);” and “Really enjoyed this class, so did my body, brain and my spirit (CG).” Participants strongly supported the online format: “[I liked] BEING AT HOME! …Getting ready to go out, going out and coming home takes a lot of energy and we are not sure we would participate if it were not online (PLWD).” In conclusion, we found that online delivery of Moving Together is feasible and acceptable to PLWD and CGs. Offering livestream virtual group movement classes such as Moving Together could enhance accessibility to evidenced-based programs for PLWD and CGs.

Preventing loss of independence through exercise (PLIÉ) for persons with dementia: A randomized, controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundPreventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) is an integrative group movement program for people living with dementia that combines exercises to maintain daily function with mindful body awareness and social engagement. We performed a randomized, controlled trial to examine PLIÉ’s effects on physical, cognitive, and social/emotional outcomes using quantitative and qualitative methods.MethodsStudy participants were persons with mild‐to‐moderate dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating: 0.5, 1 or 2) and their caregivers recruited from 4 adult day center study sites and surrounding communities. Participants were randomly assigned to immediate or delayed start in PLIÉ classes (1 hour, 2‐3 days/week, 18 weeks) at each site. Quantitative outcome data were collected at 0, 18 and 36 weeks by blinded assessors. Our primary outcomes in participants were physical performance, cognitive function, and self‐rated quality of life. Secondary outcomes included caregiver‐reported independence, behaviors, and fall concern for participants and self‐rated mood, burden, and feelings about caregiving for themselves. Caregivers also received anonymous evaluation surveys with satisfaction ratings (5‐point Likert) and open‐ended questions about PLIÉ‐related changes in participants. We used mixed effects linear models adjusting for baseline differences for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data.ResultsWe enrolled 88 participant/caregiver dyads, of whom 68 (77%) completed the 18‐week assessment, 55 (62%) completed the 36‐week assessment, and 47 (53%) returned evaluation surveys. Participants were 80±8 years old, 67% men, 60% Veterans and 86% non‐Hispanic White; caregivers were 67±14 years old, 83% women and 84% non‐Hispanic White. There were no significant differences between groups over time in primary or secondary quantitative outcomes, with the exception of increased caregiver burden in the immediate‐ vs. delayed‐start group (p=0.03). However, satisfaction ratings among survey respondents were high (mean: 4.5±0.9), and caregivers reported qualitative improvements in participants in 4 domains: psychological, physical, cognitive, and social. In addition, many caregivers reported improvements in multiple domains (Table).ConclusionAlthough there was no overall benefit in quantitative measures commonly used in dementia studies, a subset of caregivers reported qualitative benefits in program participants in response to PLIÉ. More sensitive measures may be needed to fully evaluate PLIÉ’s effects.

Moving together: Livestream virtual group movement classes for persons living with dementia and caregivers—Feasibility and satisfaction

AbstractBackgroundPaired PLIÉ (Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise) is an in‐person, group movement program for people living with dementia (PLWD) and caregivers (CGs) that targets physical movements, mindful body awareness, and social engagement. We have previously found Paired PLIÉ to be associated with CG‐reported improvements in physical, cognitive, social/emotional function, and relationship quality. However, CGs also reported logistical challenges related to attending in‐person classes. To address these challenges, our goal was to assess feasibility and satisfaction with an online version of the program developed by Together Senior Health, Inc., called Moving Together.MethodStudy participants were PLWD and CGs who participated in Moving Together livestream virtual classes from home using their existing technology. Feasibility was assessed based on completion of the 12‐week program. Satisfaction at 12‐weeks was assessed using a 5‐point Likert scale (highly satisfied to highly unsatisfied). Open‐ended questions asked what participants liked and found challenging about the online program.ResultTwenty‐one people participated (11 PLWD: 36% women, mean age 78±12 years; 10 CGs: 70% women, mean age 70±16 years). Fifteen (70%; 8 PLWD, 7 CGs) successfully completed the program, of whom all (100%) reported being highly satisfied with online delivery. Participants described physical, social and emotional benefits of participating: “I liked the activities with partner and that I could feel various parts of my body getting massage and movement (PLWD);” “Really enjoyed this class, so did my body, brain and my spirit (CG);” and “[I liked] feeling part of a group and seeing the range of issues with others (CG).” Despite reporting challenges with technology related to broadband internet access and older devices, participants strongly supported the online format: “[I liked] BEING AT HOME! …Getting ready to go out, going out and coming home takes a lot of energy and we are not sure we would participate if it were not online (PLWD).”ConclusionWe found that online delivery of Moving Together is feasible and acceptable to PLWD and CGs. Offering livestream virtual group movement classes such as Moving Together could enhance accessibility to evidenced‐based programs for PLWD and CGs.

Mindfulness Improves Brain-Computer Interface Performance by Increasing Control Over Neural Activity in the Alpha Band.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are promising tools for assisting patients with paralysis, but suffer from long training times and variable user proficiency. Mind-body awareness training (MBAT) can improve BCI learning, but how it does so remains unknown. Here, we show that MBAT allows participants to learn to volitionally increase alpha band neural activity during BCI tasks that incorporate intentional rest. We trained individuals in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR; a standardized MBAT intervention) and compared performance and brain activity before and after training between randomly assigned trained and untrained control groups. The MBAT group showed reliably faster learning of BCI than the control group throughout training. Alpha-band activity in electroencephalogram signals, recorded in the volitional resting state during task performance, showed a parallel increase over sessions, and predicted final BCI performance. The level of alpha-band activity during the intentional resting state correlated reliably with individuals' mindfulness practice as well as performance on a breath counting task. Collectively, these results show that MBAT modifies a specific neural signal used by BCI. MBAT, by increasing patients' control over their brain activity during rest, may increase the effectiveness of BCI in the large population who could benefit from alternatives to direct motor control.

Patient Assessment and Chronic Pain Self-Management in Ethnomedicine: Seasonal and Ecosystemic Embodiment in Ayurvedic Patient-Centered Care.

Background: Ayurveda’s preventive focus complements its strength with the interventionist approach of the biomedical in chronic pain self-management. Patient-centered care (PCC) using ethnomedicine promises greater patient self-management; however, few studies have examined environmental relationships and PCC in self-management of chronic pain through Ayurveda. Objective: To examine how Ayurveda’s philosophical focus on whole system frameworks describes the integration of the individual and the ecological in tailoring an integrative patient-centered diagnostic and prognostic approach to chronic pain management. Methods: This qualitative case study conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews of Ayurvedic physicians from India (N = 10) and a qualitative inductive content analytic approach. Findings: The diagnostic and interpretational framework of the doshas supports the integration of the individual and the ecological through (a) the circadian and seasonal cycles relating mind-body awareness with diet, lifestyle (e.g., yoga), and breath (e.g., pranayama), and (b) biogeographical and ecosystemic regions relating the biogeographical and the ecological (e.g., desh) with the regulatory principle of pain and its physiological and anatomical perception (vata) in an approach that goes beyond treating pain etiology to a whole person PCC approach. Conclusions: The study highlights how circadian and seasonal cycles and evolutionary spatial-temporal factors of biogeographical and ecological regions are employed in patient assessment and self-management to support patient involvement. Recommendations for PCC in integrative chronic pain management include supporting patient ownership of their care through the dosha framework that relates the individual and the ecological in the patient’s own life-context and supports co-creation of a collaborative plan of care using an ethnomedical framework.

Complementary and Integrative Management of Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Implemented within an Interprofessional Clinic.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in children is a common multifactorial functional problem that often correlates with bowel dysfunction and behavioral disorders. Ideal management combines integrative therapies that optimize bladder and bowel habits, address behavioral issues, foster mind–body connection, and improve pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Movement therapies that teach diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation, mind–body awareness, and healthy pelvic floor muscle function are vital for long-term symptom improvement in children. This paper outlines recommendations for integrative management of these patients and discusses a recently developed interprofessional clinic that aims to better meet these patients’ complex needs and to provide patients with an integrated holistic plan of care. Additional work is needed to scientifically assess these treatment models and educate providers across the various disciplines that evaluate and treat these patients.

A pilot study of mindful body awareness training as an adjunct to office-based medication treatment of opioid use disorder

The purpose of this study was to pilot-test a mind-body intervention called Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) as an adjunct to buprenorphine for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). MABT, a manualized 8 week protocol, teaches interoceptive awareness skills to promote self-care and emotion regulation. A small study was designed to assess MABT recruitment and retention feasibility, and intervention acceptability, among this population. Individuals were recruited from two office-based programs providing buprenorphine treatment within a large urban community medical center. Participants were randomized to receive either treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU plus MABT. Assessments administered at baseline and 10-week follow-up included validated self-report health questionnaires and a process measure, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, to examine interoceptive awareness skills. An additional survey and exit interview for those in the MABT study arm were administered to assess intervention satisfaction. Results showed the ability to recruit and enroll 10 participants within two-weeks, and no loss to follow-up. The MABT study group showed an increase in interoceptive awareness skills from baseline to follow-up, whereas the control group did not. Responses to the satisfaction questionnaire and exit interview were positive, indicating skills learned, satisfaction with the interventionists, and overall perceived benefit of the intervention. In summary, study results demonstrated recruitment and retention feasibility, and high intervention acceptability. This pilot study suggests preliminary feasibility of successfully implementing a larger study of MABT as an adjunct to office-based medication treatment for opioid use disorder.

Dance/movement therapy & warrior wellness: A pilot case study

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual” (American Dance Therapy Association, 2016), has been researched as a therapeutic intervention for various diagnoses and disorders, and exists in many healthcare settings across the United States. Despite its presence, dance is still widely misunderstood and undervalued as a therapy. The need for integrative mental health services has given rise to an interest in non-pharmacological approaches for treating various conditions, specifically within the veteran and military population. Arts-based methods in particular are being explored on the levels of practice, policy, and research in response to this need. This pilot case study is an analysis of an existing dance/movement therapy-based mind-body wellness program that is part of a larger integrative program for military service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. Data has been triangulated from patient surveys, clinical notes, the researcher-practitioner’s embodied observations, and historical programmatic data. The results of the analysis indicate potential increase in mind-body awareness for patients as well as a possible shift in movement flow. Inconsistencies in organization/internal messaging suggest further exploration of the critical tenets of integrative medicine.

Physical activity and yoga for holistic development of personality an initiative to foster positive outcomes: A review report

Physical activity and yoga are the most traditional and ancient Indian sciences that originally consisted of varied practices including physical postures known as asana, regulated breathing and meditation. It involves understanding the spiritual basis and ethical practices of life. It goes without saying that yoga is useful in enhancing physical, mental, emotional as well as social development. It leads to the enhancement of physical fitness, cognitive abilities and psychological development of children. It aids to calm the mind thereby providing serenity and composure through stimulation, relaxation and self-awareness. Yoga is the movement of the body through different condition, postures and poses. It is the way through which internal and external facilities of an individual meets in totality and through yoga children can achieve both physical and mental harmony. Numerous research studies suggest that providing yoga within the school curriculum is inevitably an effective way to help students to develop and maintain self-regulation, mind-body awareness and physical fitness among students. Yoga fosters positive student outcomes such as improved behaviour, mental health and better performance.

The role of mind-body awareness in the outcomes of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

IntroductionMind-body awareness is often viewed as an outcome of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Emerging evidence suggests that mind-body awareness may be an intermediate outcome that contributes to CAM-related outcomes. The current study aimed to test a model of mind-body awareness as an intermediate outcome of CAM use via provider autonomy support that facilitates quality of life and health behaviour changes. MethodsUndergraduate students (N = 243, M age = 23.5, 84% female) screened for current CAM use, completed an online survey including questions about their CAM use, perceived outcomes from use of CAM, a measure of CAM provider autonomy support, and a new 8-item measure of Mind-body Awareness (MBA). ResultsBivariate analyses confirmed that those with high MBA had higher scores on positive CAM-related health behaviour (diet, weight loss, exercise) and quality of life (sleep quality, mood, energy levels, concentration) changes. Path analysis controlling for demographics and health status tested the proposed model of CAM use predicting provider autonomy support, and in turn MBA and two CAM-related outcomes. The model fit well to the data, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.03, supporting the hypotheses that CAM use is associated with higher MBA via increased autonomy support, and MBA contributes to quality of life and health behaviour changes. ConclusionsFindings extend previous research on mind-body awareness by linking it to CAM-related quality of life and behavioural outcomes in a sample of young adult CAM consumers, and further suggest a route through which provider support may enhance CAM outcomes.