Mindful Breathing Research Articles

A Technology-Based Pregnancy Health and Wellness Intervention (Two Happy Hearts): Case Study.

BackgroundThe physical and emotional well-being of women is critical for healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes. The Two Happy Hearts intervention is a personalized mind-body program coached by community health workers that includes monitoring and reflecting on personal health, as well as practicing stress management strategies such as mindful breathing and movement.ObjectiveThe aims of this study are to (1) test the daily use of a wearable device to objectively measure physical and emotional well-being along with subjective assessments during pregnancy, and (2) explore the user’s engagement with the Two Happy Hearts intervention prototype, as well as understand their experiences with various intervention components.MethodsA case study with a mixed design was used. We recruited a 29-year-old woman at 33 weeks of gestation with a singleton pregnancy. She had no medical complications or physical restrictions, and she was enrolled in the Medi-Cal public health insurance plan. The participant engaged in the Two Happy Hearts intervention prototype from her third trimester until delivery. The Oura smart ring was used to continuously monitor objective physical and emotional states, such as resting heart rate, resting heart rate variability, sleep, and physical activity. In addition, the participant self-reported her physical and emotional health using the Two Happy Hearts mobile app–based 24-hour recall surveys (sleep quality and level of physical activity) and ecological momentary assessment (positive and negative emotions), as well as the Perceived Stress Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Engagement with the Two Happy Hearts intervention was recorded via both the smart ring and phone app, and user experiences were collected via Research Electronic Data Capture satisfaction surveys. Objective data from the Oura ring and subjective data on physical and emotional health were described. Regression plots and Pearson correlations between the objective and subjective data were presented, and content analysis was performed for the qualitative data.ResultsDecreased resting heart rate was significantly correlated with increased heart rate variability (r=–0.92, P<.001). We found significant associations between self-reported responses and Oura ring measures: (1) positive emotions and heart rate variability (r=0.54, P<.001), (2) sleep quality and sleep score (r=0.52, P<.001), and (3) physical activity and step count (r=0.77, P<.001). In addition, deep sleep appeared to increase as light and rapid eye movement sleep decreased. The psychological measures of stress, depression, and anxiety appeared to decrease from baseline to post intervention. Furthermore, the participant had a high completion rate of the components of the Two Happy Hearts intervention prototype and shared several positive experiences, such as an increased self-efficacy and a normal delivery.ConclusionsThe Two Happy Hearts intervention prototype shows promise for potential use by underserved pregnant women.

Mindfulness Effects on Mind Wandering and Autonomic Balance.

The natural tendency of the mind to wander (i.e., mind wandering), is often connected to negative thoughts and emotional states. On the other hand, mindfulness (i.e., the ability to focus one's attention on the present moment in a non-judgmental way) has acquired a growing interest in recent years given its beneficial role in improving awareness and self-regulation. Starting from previous evidence, this study aims to clarify the psychological, physiological, and affective impact of a mindfulness exercise on mind wandering. Twenty-eight non-expert female meditators were recruited for this study. Heart rate variability (HRV), state mindfulness, mind wandering manifestations, and affective states, were recorded during a baseline condition, a mindfulness breathing observation exercise, and a final rest condition. Subjects reported significant decreases in mind wandering comparing baseline and mindfulness. Changes in mind wandering were mirrored by changes in HRV, with higher HRV during the breathing observation exercise. Significant associations were found between scores of mindfulness, mind wandering, and affective states measured during the task. Our findings confirmed the role of mindfulness in reducing mind wandering and increasing HRV. Results are discussed considering mindfulness associations with self-regulation and well-being.

Mindfulness Training Associated With Resting-State Electroencephalograms Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-Scan.

Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been proven to improve mental health and quality of life. This study examined how mindfulness training and various types of mindfulness practices altered brain activity.Methods: Specifically, the spectral powers of scalp electroencephalography of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group (n=17) who underwent an 8-week MBSR training—including mindful breathing and body-scan—were evaluated and compared with those of the waitlist controls (n=14).Results: Empirical results indicated that the post-intervention effect of MBSR significantly elevated the resting-state beta powers and reduced resting-state delta powers in both practices; such changes were not observed in the waitlist control. Compared with mindful breathing, body-scanning resulted in an overall decline in electroencephalograms (EEG) spectral powers at both delta and low-gamma bands among trained participants.Conclusion: Together with our preliminary data of expert mediators, the aforementioned spectral changes were salient after intervention, but mitigated along with expertise. Additionally, after receiving training, the MBSR group’s mindfulness and emotion regulation levels improved significantly, which were correlated with the EEG spectral changes in the theta, alpha, and low-beta bands. The results supported that MBSR might function as a unique internal processing tool that involves increased vigilant capability and induces alterations similar to other cognitive training.

The effect of a single session of 30-min mindful breathing in reducing fatigue among patients with haematological cancer \u2013 a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPatients with haematological cancer had considerable symptom burden, in which fatigue was the most prevalent. Almost 70% of haematological cancer patients reported fatigue.MethodsWe conducted a parallel-group, non-blinded, randomised control trial at the haemato-oncology unit of University Malaya Medical Centre, from 1st October 2019 to 31st May 2020. Patients included were ≥ 18 years, had histopathological diagnosis of haematological cancer, and fatigue score of ≥4 based on the fatigue subscale of Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Patients allocated to the intervention group received standard care plus a guided 30-min mindful breathing session, while those in control group received standard care. The study outcomes include fatigue severity according to the fatigue subscale of ESAS, visual analogue scale of 0 – 10, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale Version 4, at minute 0 and minute 30.ResultsOf 197 patients screened, 80 were eligible and they were equally randomised into 30-min mindful breathing versus standard care. Lymphoma (58.9%) was the commonest haematological malignancy, followed by multiple myeloma (13.8%), acute leukaemia (11.3%), myeloproliferative neoplasm (6.3%), chronic leukaemia (5.0%) and myelodysplastic syndrome (5.0%). There was no difference in the demographic and clinical characteristics between the 2 groups.At minute 0, both arms of patients had similar ESAS-fatigue score (median, 5) and FACIT-fatigue score (mean ± SD, 24.7 ± 10.6 for intervention group versus 24.7 ± 9.7 for control group). At minute 30, intervention group had lower ESAS-fatigue score (median, 3 versus 5) and FACIT-fatigue score (mean ± SD, 17.1 ± 10.5 versus 24.8 ± 11.3) compared to control group. Both the ESAS-fatigue score reduction (median, − 2 versus 0, p = 0.002) and FACIT-fatigue score reduction (mean ± SD, − 6.7 versus + 0.8; p < 0.001) for the intervention group were statistically significant. The calculated effect size Cohen’s d was 1.4 for between-group comparison of differences in total FACIT-fatigue score.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that a single session of 30-min mindful breathing was effective in reducing fatigue in haematological cancer patients. On top of all the currently available methods, 30-min mindful breathing can prove a valuable addition.Trial registrationNCT 05029024, date of registration 15th August 2021. (Retrospectively registered).

Brain Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Breathing Versus Traditional Mindful Breathing in Pain Modulation: Observational Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy Study.

BackgroundPain is a complex experience that involves sensory-discriminative and cognitive-emotional neuronal processes. It has long been known across cultures that pain can be relieved by mindful breathing (MB). There is a common assumption that MB exerts its analgesic effect through interoception. Interoception refers to consciously refocusing the mind’s attention to the physical sensation of internal organ function.ObjectiveIn this study, we dissect the cortical analgesic processes by imaging the brains of healthy subjects exposed to traditional MB (TMB) and compare them with another group for which we augmented MB to an outside sensory experience via virtual reality breathing (VRB).MethodsThe VRB protocol involved in-house–developed virtual reality 3D lungs that synchronized with the participants’ breathing cycles in real time, providing them with an immersive visual-auditory exteroception of their breathing.ResultsWe found that both breathing interventions led to a significant increase in pain thresholds after week-long practices, as measured by a thermal quantitative sensory test. However, the underlying analgesic brain mechanisms were opposite, as revealed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy data. In the TMB practice, the anterior prefrontal cortex uniquely modulated the premotor cortex. This increased its functional connection with the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), thereby facilitating the S1-based sensory-interoceptive processing of breathing but inhibiting its other role in sensory-discriminative pain processing. In contrast, virtual reality induced an immersive 3D exteroception with augmented visual-auditory cortical activations, which diminished the functional connection with the S1 and consequently weakened the pain processing function of the S1.ConclusionsIn summary, our study suggested two analgesic neuromechanisms of VRB and TMB practices—exteroception and interoception—that distinctively modulated the S1 processing of the ascending noxious inputs. This is in line with the concept of dualism (Yin and Yang).

Intervensi Mindful Breathing Untuk Mengatasi Stres Akademik Pada Remaja Sekolah Menengah Atas

High school students are prone in experiencing academic stress. Academic stressors faced are in the form of pressure to have a lot of assignments, length of study, poor time management, to anxiety facing exams. Some research shows that academic stress of high school students are in the high category. In an extreme case, academic stress can lead to self-harm behavior. One of the interventions that can overcome academic stress is mindful breathing. This study aims to determine the result of mindful breathing intervention to overcome academic stress in high school students. This study used a single-subject design, with one subject aged 16 years who was in grade XI. The flow of intervention consists of counseling sessions, preparation, implementation of the intervention, and evaluation. The results showed that the mindful breathing intervention was successful in dealing with academic stress in high school students.

A Digital Health Approach to Promote Emotional Well-Being in Pregnant Women

The emotional well-being of pregnant women plays a critical role in having healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes, particularly in women in underserved communities. The two happy hearts (THH) model is a technology-based emotional wellness intervention characterized by a personalized exercise and mindful breathing approach to promote the health and well-being of partpartum women and their newborns. The purpose of this case study was to provide preliminary data to inform the design of a feasibility study.

The Effectiveness of Social-Emotional Learning Strategies and Mindful Breathing with Biofeedback on the Reduction of Adolescent Test Anxiety

Educational programs that incorporate social emotional-learning (SEL) strategies, study skills, and mindful breathing using biofeedback can help adolescents decrease worry and social stress, increase test preparedness self-efficacy, and improve academic performance due to lowered levels of test anxiety. The current study examined the efficacy of a SEL intervention (implemented into a high school psychology course) focused on study skills and mindful breathing and its impact on student attitude and behavioural changes (e.g., test anxiety, self-efficacy), academic performance, and physical changes. A quasi-experimental explanatory mixed methods study conducted at a rural Alberta high school examined pre- and post-intervention results between two groups of Grades 9–12 students (N = 105) with one group receiving the intervention (mindful breathing sessions, emotional regulation techniques, study and test-taking skills, and coping strategies) while the other received regular programming. Quantitative data included a Test Anxiety Survey (TAS), Student Opinion Survey–Short Form (SOS-SF), and reading comprehension (RC) tests to measure attitude and behavioural changes, followed by qualitative data obtained from student semi-structured interviews and focus groups for further interpretation. Quantitative results from repeated-measures (RM) ANOVAs indicated significant increases in self-efficacy for preparation and test-taking, increased academic achievement, decreased worry about future social stress, and increased positive affect. Effect sizes for significant impacts ranged from .45 to .65. Qualitative data indicated that students acquired new SEL strategies to help them handle stressful test situations more effectively. The current study addresses topics of interest to educators (e.g., test anxiety, social emotional learning) with a discussion of applications for extension and development of the program in junior and senior high classrooms.&#x0D; Keywords: test anxiety, adolescents, social-emotional learning, mindfulness, biofeedback

A Qualitative Study on Mindfulness and Teacher’s Well Being

Teaching is one of the most stressful occupation. Especially the teachers who have recently started their career are the one’s who suffer from stress the most. Copping up with the stress should be taught to them by making them aware of the concept of mindfulness. The study is conducted to see the effect of mindfulness practices on the stress level of the teachers. The study is descriptive and purely qualitative in nature. Population of the study is private school teachers and the sample size is based on 2 primary school teachers who have recently started teaching and facing difficulties in coping up with the stress. The sampling technique used in the study is Purposive non- random sampling. The data collection tool for study is Interview and analyzed by thematic analysis. The overall results of the conducted study is that Mindfulness activities like Mindfulness breathing ,Body scan, Mindfulness through nature, Japanese method to relax in 5 minutes can help a lot to reduce teacher’s stress

Mindfulness practice during COVID-19 crisis: Implications for confinement, physical inactivity, and sedentarism

COVID-19 pandemic has radically impacted and altered the lives of billions of people around the world. Due to strict government policies, most individuals now find themselves confined at home with limited movement permissible. Although these measures are enforced to help abate the rate of infection, such restrictions have huge implications for the psychophysiological health, lifestyle, and overall well-being of individuals. The COVID-19 confined circumstances, coupled with the gradually declining levels of physical activity and rising levels of sedentarism that is prevalent in the modern society, can have deleterious effect on the psychological, physical, and social health of individuals. This paper argues for essential alternative measures to be introduced that would not only assuage the detrimental effects of COVID-19 confinement, physical inactivity, and sedentarism in the short-term, but also promote psychophysiological health and well-being in the long-term. In particular, this paper recommends the practice of mindfulness as a viable option under the current circumstances. This paper further outlines the health benefits of mindfulness practice and illustrates two effective and efficient practices — mindful breathing and mantram chanting — that could be suitably utilized under the current altered and confined COVID-19 arrangement by individuals across the life span. Potential benefits, recommendations, and risks have also been addressed.

Impact of Practicing Mindful Breathing in Class

Many community college students experience high levels of stress due to the demands of coursework and stressors outside of the classroom. Contemplative practices such as deep breathing can reduce stress and increase focus, but students may not be familiar with or feel that they have time to engage in these practices. We hypothesized that introducing students to mindful breathing in our accounting and biology classes would help students manage stress during the semester, reduce test anxiety, and improve student performance. &#x0D; To test this hypothesis, we introduced some sections of our courses to mindful breathing techniques such as square breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and victorious breathing and set aside time at the start of each class to allow students to engage in these practices. At the end of the semester, we surveyed students to assess their past and present experiences with contemplative practices and their perceptions of the benefits of mindful breathing. We also asked students to rate their levels of exam stress and to rate the general feelings of stress they experienced during the semester, comparing their responses with responses from students in control sections that were not introduced to mindful breathing. The survey results indicated that mindful breathing was a new practice to some students and a familiar practice to others. Most students felt that the practice of deep breathing at the start of each class helped them reduce stress, develop a sense of connectedness, and improve focus. However, there was no consistent difference in self-reported exam stress or general stress between students in sections with and without in-class contemplative breathing. There was also no difference in course performance, as reflected by overall course grade, between sections with and without in-class contemplative breathing. Although it was not the focus of this study, we observed that in-class contemplative breathing practice seemed to improve the learning environment and helped build trusting relationships with students.

Using Mindfulness/Contemplative Practices to Help Students Focus in Mathematics Classrooms

Can using mindfulness/contemplative practices help students become mindful, focused, and present in the mathematics classroom? In this study, mindfulness/contemplative practices were used in the mathematics classroom to determine if students were encouraged to be mindful, focused, and present or engaged in problem solving. During class time, students engaged in the following 2 contemplative practices: a “Mindful Minute of Deep Breathing” and “Beholding the Mathematics”. The one minute of mindful Deep Breathing took place usually at the beginning of class. Then, during a regular class period, students used Beholding to look more deeply at topics, probe questions, and investigate answers to questions. The survey responses indicated that the mindfulness/contemplative practices were very useful in the mathematics classroom to help students to be mindful (both inside and outside of the classroom), focus on the mathematics taught, and be present or engaged in the problem solving.

Alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism using18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography and electroencephalography analysis during mindfulness breathing in Anapanasati meditation: A preliminary analysis.

Anapanasati is a core meditation of a breath-centered practice in the Buddhist Theravada tradition, which may have some neurological mechanism effects on the brain. To gain insight into the neurological mechanisms involved in Anapanasati meditation, we measured the alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism during Anapanasati meditation using positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. This prospective study was conducted in six right-handed volunteer participants (two men, four women; aged: 32–67 years) who underwent18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT scans to compare the alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism during normal consciousness and Anapanasati meditation states. Spectral EEG analysis was performed throughout the investigations. Statistical parametric mapping was used for the18F-FDG PET/CT image analyses. The visual analysis demonstrated moderate-to-marked increased metabolism in posterior cingulate cortex in all six patients, while mild-to-moderate increased uptake in the whole frontal lobe was also observed in four patients and precuneus in four patients. Meanwhile, the semiquantitative analysis yielded an increase of regional cerebral glucose metabolism in the right mid-to-posterior cingulate gyrus (P < 0.000), with visible alpha waves on the frontal of the EEG findings. Our semiquantitative analysis showed a significantly increased metabolism only in the posterior cingulate cortex, but visually, there was also an increased metabolism in the whole frontal lobe in most of the patients correlating with EEG findings.

The Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Psychological Well-being: A Quasi-Experimental Study Among Nurses Working for COVID-19 Patients.

The study aims to test the effect of mindfulness breathing meditation on psychological well-being among nurses working for COVID-19 patients. A total of 50 nurses (25 each in the intervention and control groups) were included in the study. We found significant differences between the preintervention and postintervention mean scores of both groups, based on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale Indonesian version.

Exploring Tai Chi Exercise and Mind-Body Breathing in Patients with COPD in a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

In this pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial, participants with moderate to severe COPD were randomized to a 12-week tai chi or MBB intervention. Participants were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Feasibility, as assessed by intervention adherence, was the primary outcome. We also estimated preliminary between-group differences in COPD symptoms and health-related quality of life, cognitive-emotional function, and functional status across three timepoints: baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. A total of 92 participants were randomized 2:1 to tai chi (n = 61) or MBB (n = 31). The overall group adherence in the first 12 weeks was 62% in tai chi and 75% in MBB. From baseline to 12 weeks, tai chi demonstrated greater improvements in depressive symptoms (Cohen’s d effect size (ES) = −.53; adj mean diff = −2.31 [-5.7, 1.07]), 6-minute walk test distance (ES = .47; adj mean diff = 62.04 [2.85, 121.22]), social support (ES = .36; adj mean diff = .19 [-0.11, 0.49]) and chair stand (ES = .44; adj mean diff = .91 [-0.05, 1.86]). Only improvements in social support were maintained at 24-week follow-up. Tai chi and MBB are feasible for individuals with COPD. Preliminary effects suggest that while our mindful breathing intervention may not be sufficient to impact outcomes, tai chi may result in short-term benefits in mood, social support and functional capacity. More work is needed to better understand mindful breathing for COPD and to examine methods for maintaining improvements from tai chi over time. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2021.1928037 .

Brief Report on the Outcomes of an Integrated Approach on Stress, Anxiety, and Persistent Pain for Veterans; Mindful Yoga and Auricular Acupuncture

Objective: The aim of this study was to pilot test an integrated treatment approach, including mindful yoga and auricular acupuncture, for Veterans with overlapping mental health disorders and persistent pain. Design: A single-arm, quasi-experimental study with a 12-week intervention period. Methods: Veterans were referred to the program through their established mental health provider, which was marketed as a trauma sensitive mindful yoga program with optional auricular acupuncture for Veterans currently undergoing mental health treatment. The program consisted of 12 weekly 90-minute group yoga sessions that included mindful breathing, mindful movement, and guided relaxation. Auricular acupuncture was also offered but not required prior to each yoga session, where five acupuncture points were targeted for relaxation and stress relief. Stress, pain, and anxiety were assessed pre and post intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale, the PEG scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale. Results: Out of fifty-five Veterans entering the program with a mental health diagnosis, twenty-seven Veterans completed the 12-week Mindful Yoga program. For those that completed the program, the average attendance was 9.5 out of 12 sessions. Means scores show improvement in perceived stress, pain, and anxiety compared with baseline scores. Statistically significant improvements were noted in both perceived stress (P = 0.0007) and anxiety (P = 0.0093). Conclusions: This study suggests that combining mindful yoga with auricular acupuncture can reduce symptoms of stress, pain, and anxiety in Veterans that commit to the program. Although this was a small sample, mean scores showed statistically significant improvements in perceived stress and anxiety and modest improvements in pain, warranting further study.

Effects of mindful breath awareness and muscle relaxation and transcranial electrical stimulation techniques on improving blood pressure status in patients with type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine the effects of mindful breath awareness & muscle relaxation (MBMR) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tCES) techniques on improving the systolic and diastolic blood pressure status in patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsThe research method was randomized controlled trial (RCT) using split-plot ANOVA (SPANOVA). Thirty patients were selected through purposive sampling from Bonab County Diabetes Association (Iran) and were randomly divided into three 10-member groups, namely MBMR, tCES, and MBMR+tCES groups. Participants received their group interventions in 10 individual sessions. All patients were evaluated for systolic and diastolic blood pressure at two stages, before and immediately after each session. SPANOVA and Bonferroni pairwise comparison tests were used for data analysis. ResultsThe results indicated that the MBMR and tCES techniques, alone and in combination, had significant and equal effects on reducing diastolic blood pressure, but the MBMR treatment was more effective in the systolic blood pressure than the tCES. ConclusionsThe MBMR and tCES techniques were effective and safe in treating hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.

A qualitative investigation of activity measurement and change following a mind-body activity program for chronic pain

Increasing activity is important yet challenging among people with chronic pain. Objective assessment of activity using accelerometers (i.e., ActiGraph) has gained popularity, but reactivity to assessment and non-adherence to wearing the ActiGraph may bias data. We explored: 1) experiences of wearing the ActiGraph to identify ways to increase adherence and facilitate accurate assessment of activity; and 2) barriers and facilitators to increasing activity following two mind-body activity programs to optimize future interventions. We conducted semi-structured exit interviews with 13 participants with heterogenous chronic pain who completed a randomized controlled trial of two mind-body activity programs. We analyzed transcripts using a framework approach to generate themes. Participants indicated that receiving reminders increased ActiGraph wear adherence and reported that program skills such as gratitude, pacing, mindfulness, and deep breathing were facilitators to increasing activity, while medical problems were barriers. Interventions aiming to increase activity may benefit from emphasizing mind-body skills and sending ActiGraph wear reminders.

The effects of breathing training on dyspnea and anxiety among patients with acute heart failure at emergency department

BackgroundAnxiety-related dyspnea is a compelling symptom among patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Breathing training is a nonpharmacological intervention to relieve dyspnea and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the effects of breathing training on dyspnea and anxiety among patients with AHF at the emergency department (ED). MethodsTwo-group pre-post intervention study was conducted at the ED of one university hospital in the northeast of Thailand. Data were collected among 96 patients with AHF, which were equally assigned to breathing training (BT) and control groups. The training group received pursed-lip mindfulness breathing training, whereas the control group received usual care (UC). The pursed-lip mindfulness breathing was delivered from the first 40 min of arrival to the 4th hour in the ED. The breathing training consisted of positioning the patients in Fowler's position with the head of the bed elevated at 60 degrees or higher, supporting both arms with pillows, and breathing in through the nose with breathing out via the mouth with pursed lip while counting. Dyspnea and anxiety scores were measured with Dyspnea Visual Analog Scale and Anxiety Visual Analog Scale, respectively. ResultsThe dyspnea and anxiety scores significantly decreased after four hours in both groups. Dyspnea score decreased from 8.85 (SD 1.220) to 3.63 (SD 1.468) after BT (t = 26.111, p < 0.001) in the experimental group whereas in the control group it decreased from 8.98 (SD 1.194) to 6.94 (SD 1.590) after UC (t = 16.181, p < 0.001). Comparing between the groups, dyspnea score reductions were 5.22 (SD 1.468) in the experimental and 2.04 (SD 1.590) in the control (t = 0.101, p < 0.001). Anxiety score decreased from 9.35 (SD 1.000) to 4.44 (SD 1.219) after BT (t = 25.231, p < 0.001) in the experimental while the scores in the control group decreased from 9.48 (SD 1.072) to 8.15 (SD 1.502) after UC (t = 8.131, p < 0.001). The anxiety score reductions were 4.91 (SD 1.219) and 1.33 (SD 1.502) in the experimental and the control groups, respectively (t = 0. 066, p < 0.001). Both the dyspnea and anxiety scores after the intervention were significantly different between the experimental and control groups. ConclusionBoth UC and BT with UC can reduce dyspnea and anxiety in patients admitted to ED with AHF. However, the effect of BT combined with UC was larger comparing to UC only.

Mindful Breathing: Effects of a Five-Minute Practice on Perceived Stress and Mindfulness Among Patients With Cancer.

Cancer can cause undesired side effects that can significantly alter patients' perceived stress and mindfulness. The integration of nonpharmacologic, complementary health interventions, such as mindful breathing, is potentially useful in reducing stress and promoting the well-being of patients during treatment. This study examined the effects of a five-minute mindful breathing practice performed three times per day for three months on perceived stress and mindfulness among patients with cancer. This longitudinal, randomized controlled study used a two-group, pre-/post-study design. Patients with distress scores of 4 or higher were randomized into two study arms. Participants in the intervention group were educated on mindfulness and guided on how to perform a five-minute mindful breathing practice. Perceived stress and mindfulness were assessed at baseline, one month postintervention, and three months postintervention. Both groups had no significant difference in perceived stress and mindfulness scores at baseline. At three months, the intervention group reported a significant reduction in stress and an increase in mindfulness.