Mindfulness-based Program Research Articles

Assessing the Effect of a 2-Year Mindfulness-Based Training Programme on Personal and Professional Functioning: A Mixed-Methods Study

ObjectivesMindfulness-based interventions are increasingly a part of mainstream society. The training of professionals to teach these programmes is an important element in maintaining the quality and integrity of this approach. The objective of this study was to examine the experience of trainees undertaking a 2-year training curriculum and how this supported adaptation when they began teaching.MethodThe study was a convergent mixed-methods design, including a descriptive survey of trainees using a questionnaire and a descriptive phenomenological exploration of trainees’ experiences using focus group interviews.ResultsA significant majority of graduates were women and either health professionals or coaches. Most graduates continued to teach after completion of the training, predominantly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or an adapted MBSR. Qualitative analysis revealed themes related to the structure and content of the curriculum, changing identity, sensitivity to local context, the importance of learning this approach in a community, and embodied experience. The latter two themes were particularly significant when navigating challenging emotional and somatic experiences.ConclusionsTeachers-in-training internalised the essential qualities of mindfulness as an awareness practice. This capacity required the effort of personal practice alongside theoretical understanding, the support of community and a willingness to be present with a wider range of experience. These factors combined to support the embodiment of the essential qualities of mindfulness. A majority of graduates actively explored teaching MBIs in their professional contexts after completion, and the personal shifts that they experienced through the cultivation of mindful living during the training provided a robust foundation on which to begin teaching a contemporary mindfulness approach to others in a context sensitive way.PreregistrationThis study is not preregistered.

Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on older adults with sleep disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program on sleep quality in healthy non-institutionalized older people. This study was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search was conducted during May and June 2023 using four databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Different keywords combined with Boolean operators were used. Only 10 articles of the initial 177 were included. In the study, the standardized mean difference (SMD) was used along with a 95% confidence interval to measure the effect. Heterogeneity among the studies, assessed using Cochran's Q-test and the I2 statistic was found to be low, leading to the use of a fixed-effects model in the analysis. The effect size was expressed as Hedge'g. Furthermore, a subgroup analysis was conducted, taking into account the various tools used to assess sleep conditions. Mindfulness was found to reduce poor sleep quality in people with both long-term and short-term sleep disorders. Weighting effect model Hedge'g = -0.344 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from -0.425 to -0.263. In all cases, statistically significant results were observed, as well as moderate and negative effect sizes according to the Hedge's g index: -0.326 for Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), -0.343 for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and -0.28 for Sleep Onset Latency (SOL). This systematic review and meta-analysis found that mindfulness can be used to remedy poor sleep quality in older people, so it could be a viable treatment option for insomnia or other problems related to poor sleep quality in this population.

Exploring the lived experiences of participants and facilitators of an online mindfulness program during COVID-19: a phenomenological study.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has placed incredible demands on healthcare workers (HCWs) and adversely impacted their well-being. Throughout the pandemic, organizations have sought to implement brief and flexible mental health interventions to better support employees. Few studies have explored HCWs' lived experiences of participating in brief, online mindfulness programming during the pandemic using qualitative methodologies. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with HCWs and program facilitators (n = 13) who participated in an online, four-week, mindfulness-based intervention program. The goals of this study were to: (1) understand how participants experienced work during the pandemic; (2) understand how the rapid switch to online life impacted program delivery and how participants experienced the mindfulness program; and (3) describe the role of the mindfulness program in supporting participants' mental health and well-being. We utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to elucidate participants' and facilitators' rich and meaningful lived experiences and identified patterns of experiences through a cross-case analysis. This resulted in four main themes: (1) changing environments; (2) snowball of emotions; (3) connection and disconnection; and (4) striving for resilience. Findings from this study highlight strategies for organizations to create and support wellness programs for HCWs in times of public health crises. These include improving social connection in virtual care settings, providing professional development and technology training for HCWs to adapt to rapid environmental changes, and recognizing the difference between emotions and emotional states in HCWs involved in mindfulness-based programs.

Does Catastrophizing Predict Response to Treatment in Patients With Vestibular Disorders? A Prospective Cohort Study.

Determine levels of catastrophizing in patients with vestibular disorders and prospectively evaluate their relationship with patient-reported outcome measures. Prospective cohort study. Tertiary care neurotology vestibular disorders clinic. Adult patients with various vestibular disorders. Patients were given the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Dizziness Catastrophizing Scale (DCS) at a baseline visit and follow-up visit after treatment. Correlation studies were used to determine the relationships between DHI and DCS. Multivariable linear regression was performed to determine the relationship between DCS and DHI change with treatment, accounting for demographic variables. Forty-six subjects completed both the DHI and the DCS before and after treatment. Patients with higher baseline DCS scores had higher baseline DHI scores ( p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in both DHI score ( p < 0.001) and DCS ( p < 0.001) at follow-up. Patients who had reduction in DCS scores during were more likely to show reduction in DHI scores ( p < 0.001). A subset of patients had a mindfulness-based stress reduction program included in their treatment. These patients had a greater reduction in both DCS and DHI scores at follow-up compared with those who received other treatments. Catastrophizing is associated with higher pretreatment DHI scores and worse treatment outcomes. Addressing dizziness catastrophizing may help improve vestibular outcomes.

The MEDITAGING study: protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled study to compare the effects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program against a health promotion program in older migrants in Luxembourg

BackgroundMigration is a phenomenon worldwide, with older migrants, particularly those with fewer socioeconomic resources, having an increased risk of developing adverse cognitive and health outcomes and social isolation. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to validate interventions that promote healthy aging in this population. Previous studies have shown a positive impact of mindfulness based-stress reduction (MBSR) on outcomes such as cognition and sleep. However, only a few studies verified its potential in older adults, especially with vulnerable populations such as migrants. This article presents the protocol of the MEDITAGING study, which is the first to investigate the MBSR effects in migrants aged ≥55 in comparison to a health promotion program.MethodsMEDITAGING is a two-arm randomized, double-blinded, controlled study, which will include older Portuguese-speaking migrants (n = 90). Participants are randomized to the MBSR or a health promotion program. Both interventions are conducted in groups over a total of 8 weeks, incorporating weekly meetings, an additional 4-hour class, and extra at-home tasks. The health promotion program has the same structure as the MBSR but comprises different activities related to dementia prevention, healthy habits, cognitive stimulation, sleeping, nutrition, watercolor painting, and physical activity. The assessment of executive functioning, physiological stress measures, self-reported questionnaires, and qualitative interviews are conducted at baseline, after 8 weeks (post-intervention), and at a follow-up session (from one to 3 months thereafter). Analyzes will be conducted using a modified intention-to-treat approach (all participants with at least 3 days of participation in the group-sessions and one post-intervention observation).DiscussionThis study will test effects of a mindfulness-based intervention against an active control condition in older adult migrants, which few studies have addressed.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05615337 (date of registration: 27 September 2022; date of record verification: 14 November 2022).

The Role of Daily Steps in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a 6-Month Internet-Based, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Youth.

Current evidence supports physical activity (PA) as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between objectively measured PA and MDD treatment outcomes using prospective data. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a 24-week internet-based, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for MDD. The purpose of this analysis was twofold: (1) to examine average daily step counts in relation to MDD symptom improvement, and whether pain moderated this relationship; and (2) to examine whether changes in step activity (ie, step trajectories) during treatment were associated with baseline symptoms and symptom improvement. Patients from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health were part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of internet-based, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy for young adults (aged 18-30 years old) with MDD. Data from 20 participants who had completed the intervention were analyzed. PA, in the form of objectively measured steps, was measured using the Fitbit-HR Charge 2 (Fitbit Inc), and self-reported depression severity was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Linear regression analysis was used to test PA's relationship with depression improvement and the moderating effect of pain severity and pain interference. Growth curve and multivariable regression models were used to test longitudinal associations. Participants walked an average of 8269 steps per day, and each additional +1000-step difference between participants was significantly associated with a 2.66-point greater improvement (reduction) in BDI-II, controlling for anxiety, pain interference, and adherence to Fitbit monitoring (P=.02). Pain severity appeared to moderate (reduce) the positive effect of average daily steps on BDI-II improvement (P=.03). Higher baseline depression and anxiety symptoms predicted less positive step trajectories throughout treatment (Ps≤.001), and more positive step trajectories early in the trial predicted greater MDD improvement at the end of the trial (Ps<.04). However, step trajectories across the full duration of the trial did not significantly predict MDD improvement (Ps=.40). This study used objective measurements to demonstrate positive associations between PA and depression improvement in the context of cognitive behavioral treatment. Pain appeared to moderate this relationship, and baseline symptoms of anxiety and depression predicted PA trajectories. The findings inform future interventions for major depression. Future research with larger samples should consider additional moderators of PA-related treatment success and the extent to which outcomes are related to PA change in multimodal interventions. Clinical Trials.gov NCT03406052; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406052. RR2-10.2196/11591.

Impact of a mindfulness-based program on creativity and mindfulness disposition of school children.

Impact of a mindfulness-based program on creativity and mindfulness disposition of school children.

Enhancing Foreign Language Enjoyment and Well-Being Through a Mindfulness Based Intervention Program in the Efl High School Classroom - Teacher’s Insights

This paper presents findings from research that aimed to see how a mindfulness-based intervention program in an EFL high school classroom can enhance student’s foreign language enjoyment and well-being. Students from a 10th grade EFL class in a high school in Israel, participated in a mindfulness-based intervention program held during a ninety-minute EFL lesson each week over a period of thirteen weeks. The research employed qualitative methodology to collect and analyze student’s perception of their English studies, their feeling of well-being in the classroom and their foreign language enjoyment. Semi-structured interviews were used for fourteen participants in the program who were interviewed at two points in time: during the program and a week after the program had ended. Additionally, insights emerging from my teacher’s log, which documented the process of the mindfulness program at the end of each lesson are also discussed and shed light on future pedagogical implications. All of the participants interviewed reported on an increased level of enjoyment and well-being as well as perceiving an improvement in their EFL learning.

Quality of Life, Craving Beliefs, and Psychological Well-being in Methadone Patients: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program

Quality of Life, Craving Beliefs, and Psychological Well-being in Methadone Patients: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program

Long-Term Efficacy of a Mobile Mental Wellness Program: Prospective Single-Arm Study.

Rising rates of psychological distress (symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress) among adults in the United States necessitate effective mental wellness interventions. Despite the prevalence of smartphone app-based programs, research on their efficacy is limited, with only 14% showing clinically validated evidence. Our study evaluates Noom Mood, a commercially available smartphone-based app that uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based programming. In this study, we address gaps in the existing literature by examining postintervention outcomes and the broader impact on mental wellness. Noom Mood is a smartphone-based mental wellness program designed to be used by the general population. This prospective study evaluates the efficacy and postintervention outcomes of Noom Mood. We aim to address the rising psychological distress among adults in the United States. A 1-arm study design was used, with participants having access to the Noom Mood program for 16 weeks (N=273). Surveys were conducted at baseline, week 4, week 8, week 12, week 16, and week 32 (16 weeks' postprogram follow-up). This study assessed a range of mental health outcomes, including anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, well-being, quality of life, coping, emotion regulation, sleep, and workplace productivity (absenteeism or presenteeism). The mean age of participants was 40.5 (SD 11.7) years. Statistically significant improvements in anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were observed by week 4 and maintained through the 16-week intervention and the 32-week follow-up. The largest changes were observed in the first 4 weeks (29% lower, 25% lower, and 15% lower for anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress, respectively), and only small improvements were observed afterward. Reductions in clinically relevant anxiety (7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale) and depression (8-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale) criteria were also maintained from program initiation through the 16-week intervention and the 32-week follow-up. Work productivity also showed statistically significant results, with participants gaining 2.57 productive work days from baseline at 16 weeks, and remaining relatively stable (2.23 productive work days gained) at follow-up (32 weeks). Additionally, effects across all coping, sleep disturbance (23% lower at 32 weeks), and emotion dysregulation variables exhibited positive and significant trends at all time points (15% higher, 23% lower, and 25% higher respectively at 32 weeks). This study contributes insights into the promising positive impact of Noom Mood on mental health and well-being outcomes, extending beyond the intervention phase. Though more rigorous studies are necessary to understand the mechanism of action at play, this exploratory study addresses critical gaps in the literature, highlighting the potential of smartphone-based mental wellness programs to lessen barriers to mental health support and improve diverse dimensions of well-being. Future research should explore the scalability, feasibility, and long-term adherence of such interventions across diverse populations.

Effect of fear of missing out on learning burnout in medical students: a moderated mediation.

Learning burnout has a significant negative impact on students' academic performance and professional development, which has been exacerbated by the growing trend of problematic smartphone use, such as smartphone addiction, among young people. Recently, the literature on excessive social media use has revealed a critical role of fear of missing out. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine how fear of missing out affects smartphone addiction and its subsequent effect on learning burnout in college students. In Study 1, 352 medical students were recruited to complete a cross-sectional survey. In Study 2, 2,948 college students were recruited to complete a cross-sectional survey. Further in Study 3, 30 medical students were recruited into a mindfulness-based intervention program. Study 1 preliminarily confirmed that fear of missing out was positively correlated with learning burnout. Study 2 then revealed a moderated mediation model showing that fear of missing out may increase smartphone addiction, which in turn affects their sleep quality and finally leads to learning burnout. This chain mediation model was moderated by the participants' level of mindfulness. To confirm the promoting role of mindfulness, Study 3 further confirmed that mindfulness training indeed can improve smartphone addiction and reduce learning burnout in medical students. Theoretical and practical contributions were discussed, highlighting the effects of fear of missing out on smartphone addiction and a moderating role of mindfulness training.

Exploring the Mind-Body Connection: Yoga, Mindfulness, and Mental Well-Being in Adolescent Physical Education

In light of the escalating mental health problems witnessed in recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) is actively seeking ways to enhance mental health, with an overarching goal to promote mental well-being. Central to this objective is the significant role played by education. As stated by the UNESCO, educational institutions can play a pivotal part in fostering aspects like psychological well-being. Particularly, Physical Education stands out as it addresses specific content related to mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the construct of emotional awareness in adolescents and determine whether it is affected by an intervention based on yoga and mindfulness. The study was conducted with a sample of 149 participants, with an average age of 14.6 ± 0.5 years. A quasi-experimental study design was employed, where measurements were taken before (pre) and after (post) the implementation of an intervention with two groups, a control group and an experimental group. The control group underwent a six-session body expression teaching unit, while the experimental group followed the same unit but began with a warm-up based on yoga and mindfulness. The assessment instrument used was the revised Emotional Awareness Questionnaire (EAQ30). To assess the normality of the dataset, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was carried out, which indicated a non-parametric sample. Subsequently, the Mann–Whitney U test was executed, revealing no significant differences in any dimension. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was also conducted, which showed significant differences in two dimensions. The lack of significant results could potentially be attributed to the short duration of the study. Nevertheless, these findings could contribute valuable insights towards understanding the integration of yoga or mindfulness-based programs in Physical Education. These programs have the potential to significantly impact adolescent emotional awareness and mental health, which is particularly crucial given the increasing prevalence of mental health issues in this age group. Therefore, despite the absence of robust findings in this study, it illuminates the necessity and value for further research into the utilization of yoga and mindfulness in the educational context.

Mindfulness Practice Reduces Hair Cortisol, Anxiety and Perceived Stress in University Workers: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Anxiety and stress are common mental health conditions reported by university workers. Practices of mindfulness represent one promising approach as an effective and feasible means to reduce stress, improve mental health and promote well-being; however, there are no clinical trials that have combined long-term stress biomarkers (hair cortisol) and psychometric assessments in a sample of university workers. Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program on long-term stress, by measuring hair cortisol concentration and perceived stress and anxiety among workers who were undergoing high levels of stress. Method: We conducted a randomized clinical trial at work among the employees of a public university. We compared a group that received the eight-week mindfulness intervention with the wait list group who received no intervention. Results: A total of 30 participants were included in the study, with n = 15 subjects in the intervention group and n = 15 in the control group. Hair cortisol, perceived stress and anxiety significantly reduced after the intervention compared to the control group, which had no appreciable decline in the measured variables. Conclusion: This clinical trial showed the effectiveness of a mindfulness program on mental health psychometric measures (perceived stress and anxiety) and on a long-term stress biomarker (hair cortisol). It can be concluded that an eight-week mindfulness program could be implemented as an effective strategy to reduce stress biomarkers (hair cortisol) as well as perceived stress and anxiety, improving the mental health of university workers.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Compassion-Focused Therapy on the Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and compassion-focused on the cognitive regulation of emotion in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The research method was the semi-experimental type, with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and experimental and control groups. Methods: The population included patients with IBS in Isfahan city; 45 of them were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to 3 groups (15 in each group). Then, the patients of one experimental group received eight sessions of 90 minutes of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program, while the other experimental group received eight sessions of 90 minutes of compassion-focused therapy. The measurement tools included the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski and Kraaij, 2002) and a short clinical interview. Research data were analyzed using variance analysis with repeated measures on one factor (mixed design). Results: Both intervention methods were equally effective in changing the cognitive regulation of adaptive emotion mean scores (P<0.01), but the effect of compassion-focused therapy on improving the mean scores of cognitive regulation of adaptive emotion was more than mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (P<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that both intervention methods can be used as complementary treatment for patients with IBS.

Mindfulness as a Potential Moderator Between Child Behavior Problems and Maternal Well-Being.

Mindfulness-based programs can help lower psychological distress among parents of children with developmental disabilities. However, less is known about the functions of mindfulness in relation to parental outcomes. In a cross-sectional survey, mothers of children with developmental disabilities (N = 313) reported on their child's behavior problems, trait mindfulness, mindful parenting, and a range of outcomes (anxiety and depression symptoms, parenting stress, family satisfaction, and positive gain). Neither trait mindfulness or mindful parenting acted as moderators between child behavior problems and outcome variables, although both had main effect (compensatory) associations with parent outcomes. Benefits of mindfulness-based programs may be general rather than specifically in the context of high child behavior problems, given the lack of evidence for the moderating function of mindfulness.

Interventions to reduce stress and prevent burnout in healthcare professionals supported by digital applications: a scoping review.

Healthcare professionals are at increased risk of burnout, primarily due to workplace-related stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased this risk. Different interventions exist with varying degrees of effectiveness; little is reported on the content and implementation of such programs. This review fills this gap, with attention to recent programs using digital components. PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar were searched between January 24th and 28th, 2022, limited to the last 5 years (≥2017). Articles were included if they (1) focused on stress reduction or burnout prevention for nurses and medical doctors within workplace health promotion for nurses or medical doctors, (2) included a digital program component, (3) were conducted in high-income country contexts, and (4) were clinical studies published in English or German. Data was extracted using a priori designed spreadsheets. A group of at least 2 authors at each stage carried out the screening, selection, and data extraction. The search strategy identified 153 articles, all except 7 were excluded. Two studies were conducted in the USA, two in Spain, one in the Netherlands, Poland, and Korea each. Four studies used a randomized study design, all but one had a control group. A wide range of outcome measures was used. The types of interventions included an adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction program combined with aspects of behavioral therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy. The digital components used were apps (4 studies), a digital platform, blended learning, and a web-based intervention (1 study each). Six studies focused on individual interventions, one included organizational interventions. Despite an acute burnout crisis in the healthcare sector, only seven recent interventions were found that integrated digital components. Several problems emerged during the implementation of the interventions that made it clear that organizational support is urgently needed for successful implementation. Although interventions for stress reduction and burnout prevention should combine individual and organizational measures to be as successful as possible, this was only partially the case in one of the intervention programs. The results of this scoping review can be used to further develop or optimize stress and burnout prevention programs.

The effects of a mindfulness-based programme on quality of life and social support in older people

Abstract The importance of mindfulness in promoting mental health and well-being has been increasingly recognised in recent years. As a result, mindfulness-based interventions have been introduced to improve various aspects of life, including quality of life and social support. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme in improving quality of life and social support among participants in the intervention compared to a control group. A total of 257 participants (65+) were recruited and assigned to either the intervention group, which participated in the seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme, or the control group, which received no intervention. The workshop programme combined two evidence-based programmes: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (CDSMP) and the Mindfulness-based Living Programme. Participants completed two questionnaires (EQ-5D-5L and OSSS-3) to assess quality of life and social support before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests to compare pre- and post-intervention outcomes between groups. The intervention group showed significant improvement in quality of life (p&amp;lt;.001) and social support scores (p = 0.002) after the seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme. The control group, on the other hand, showed no significant changes in these measures. The significant improvement indicates the effectiveness of the mindfulness-based workshop programme. The results of this study show the positive effects of a seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme on the quality of life and social support of older people. The results suggest that mindfulness-based interventions can be an effective tool for improving mental health and well-being by promoting quality of life and strengthening social support networks. Key messages • The seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme improves the quality of life and social support of older people, which can have an impact on overall mental health and well-being in general. • The results of this study can ensure a sustainable impact on achieving better health outcomes and saving resources in the health care system through reduced and more effective use of services.

Does mindfulness-based wellbeing training increase self-reported and perceived health among teachers?

Abstract Background Teachers are reporting increased stress, burnout, and workload at schools. Previous studies have shown that mindfulness-based (MF-based) programs are potential interventions to decrease stress and improve wellbeing among teachers. The aim of this Healthy Learning Mind -teacher study was to investigate the effects of a MF-based wellbeing training on several dimensions of wellbeing among teachers in Finnish comprehensive schools. Methods We developed a MF-based wellbeing training tailored for teachers (8 weeks) and organized the training by three teaching methods: 1) contact teaching; 2) online teaching and 3) combination of both contact and online teaching. Outcome variables are: wellbeing (The Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale), work ability (Work Ability Index) and perceived stress (Single Item Measure of Stress). A total of 50 teachers answered to both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Additionally perceived health benefits were reported. Results MF-based wellbeing training showed beneficial effects on teachers’ perceived health: better ability to calm down, relax, regulate emotions and to manage difficult situations as well as better tools for stress management in classrooms. Additionally teachers reported that their own mindfulness practice had a beneficial effect on students’ calmness, attention and kindness as well as on interaction with students. Analysed results on outcome variables will be presented at the conference. Conclusions First results suggest that MF-based wellbeing training has several perceived health benefits among teachers in strengthening teachers’ ability to regulate emotions and decrease stress and to adopt tools for solving challenging situations with students. Furthermore, teachers reported that their own mindfulness practice had a favorable effect on students’ wellbeing and social-emotional competence. Enhancing teachers’ wellbeing is beneficial for both teachers themselves and for students. Key messages • MF-based wellbeing training can be seen as a potential intervention to decrease perceived stress and increase perceived health benefits among teachers and to support teachers in their profession. • More research is needed to understand how teachers’ own mindfulness practice affects wellbeing among students and interaction in classrooms.

The effect of an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on mental health, maternal bonding and birth outcomes in psychosocially vulnerable pregnant women: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in a Danish hospital-based outpatient setting

BackgroundStress and mental disorders in pregnancy can adversely affect the developing fetus. Women with a preconception history of mental disorders or of psychosocial vulnerabilities are at increased risk of experiencing perinatal stress or mental health problems. Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction (MBSR) is an acceptable intervention for pregnant women and has a growing evidence-base with meta-analyses consistently pointing to reductions in symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. This study protocol aim to address the need for a wider array of evidence-based and non-pharmacological options during pregnancy to reduce stress and improve mental health in a psychosocially highly vulnerable group of women.MethodsPregnant women with a preconception history of mental disorders or psychosocial vulnerabilities (n = 240) will be recruited from an obstetric ambulatory clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. Recruitment for the study began in March 2022 and will continue until the desired number of participants is reached. Consenting pregnant women will be randomized to one of two study arms, an adapted MBSR program as add on to usual care or usual care alone. The primary outcome is mental wellbeing at nine months post-randomization. Secondary and exploratory outcomes include stress, anxiety, depression, and maternal antenatal attachment, experience of childbirth, delivery and mode of delivery. Mindfulness and self-compassion are examined as possible mediators of the effect on outcomes.DiscussionTeaching the skills of mindfulness meditation to a psychosocially vulnerable group of pregnant women could prove a viable and non-pharmacological approach to improve mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy, reduce stress and support the transition to parenthood. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction does not target a particular group, and results from the study is thus of potential relevance for pregnant women in general as a means of reducing stress and improving perinatal mental health and wellbeing.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05300646. Registered March 29, 2022.

Effects of Mediterranean diet or mindfulness-based stress reduction on fetal and neonatal brain development: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Maternal suboptimal nutrition and high stress levels are associated with adverse fetal and infant neurodevelopment. This study aimed to investigate if structured lifestyle interventions involving a Mediterranean diet or mindfulness-based stress reduction during pregnancy are associated with differences in fetal and neonatal brain development. This was a secondary analysis of the randomized clinical trial Improving Mothers for a Better Prenatal Care Trial Barcelona that was conducted in Barcelona, Spain, from 2017 to 2020. Participants with singleton pregnancies were randomly allocated into 3 groups, namely Mediterranean diet intervention, stress reductionprogram, or usual care. Participants in the Mediterranean diet group received monthly individual sessions and free provision of extra-virgin olive oil and walnuts. Pregnant women in the stress reduction group underwent an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program adapted for pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging of 90 fetal brains was performed at 36 to 39 weeks of gestation and the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale was completed for 692 newborns at 1 to 3 months. Fetal outcomes were the total brain volume and lobular or regional volumes obtained from a 3-dimensional reconstruction and semiautomatic segmentation of magnetic resonance images. Neonatal outcomes were the 6 clusters scores of the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the interventions and the fetal and neonatal outcomes. When compared with the usual care group, the offspring exposed to a maternal Mediterranean diet had a larger total fetal brain volume (mean, 284.11 cm3; standard deviation, 23.92 cm3 vs 294.01 cm3; standard deviation, 26.29 cm3; P=.04), corpus callosum (mean, 1.16 cm3; standard deviation, 0.19 cm3 vs 1.26 cm3; standard deviation, 0.22 cm3; P=.03), and right frontal lobe (44.20; standard deviation, 4.09 cm3 vs 46.60; standard deviation, 4.69 cm3; P=.02) volumes based on magnetic resonance imaging measures and higher scores in the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale clusters of autonomic stability (mean, 7.4; standard deviation, 0.9 vs 7.6; standard deviation, 0.7; P=.04), social interaction (mean, 7.5; standard deviation, 1.5 vs 7.8; standard deviation, 1.3; P=.03), and range of state (mean, 4.3; standard deviation, 1.3 vs 4.5; standard deviation, 1.0; P=.04). When compared with the usual care group, offspring from the stress reduction group had larger fetal left anterior cingulate gyri volume (1.63; standard deviation, 0.32 m3 vs 1.79; standard deviation, 0.30 cm3; P=.03) based on magnetic resonance imaging and higher scores in the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale for regulation of state (mean, 6.0; standard deviation, 1.8 vs 6.5; standard deviation, 1.5; P<.01). Maternal structured lifestyle interventions involving the promotion of a Mediterranean diet or stress reduction during pregnancy were associated with changes in fetal and neonatal brain development.