Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Training Research Articles

Does Mindfulness Training Enhance the Professional Development of Residents? A Qualitative Study.

In addition to developing diagnostic and clinical skills, postgraduate medical education should stimulate residents' professional development. Teaching medical professionalism is challenging and is often left largely to the informal and hidden curricula. An intervention that might be beneficial for medical residents is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). The authors implemented MBSR as an optional course for residents and qualitatively explored how it influenced residents professionally. Between 2014 and 2016, the authors conducted 19 in-depth, face-to-face interviews with residents who had participated in an MBSR course at Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands. Medical and surgical residents, across a range of disciplines, participated. The authors used the constant comparison method to analyze the data. The analysis of the data resulted in five themes: awareness of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and behavior; increased self-reflection; acceptance and nonjudgment; increased resilience; and relating to others. Residents indicated that the MBSR training increased their awareness and self-reflection at work, and they were more accepting toward themselves and toward their limitations. Furthermore, they mentioned being more resilient and better at setting priorities and limits. They improved their self-care and work-life balance. In addition, residents indicated that the training made them more aware of how they communicated. They asked for help more often and seemed to be more open toward feedback. Lastly, they indicated an increased sense of compassion for others. This study indicated that mindfulness training can serve as a tool to cultivate important professional competencies for residents.

Feasibility of Formal Mindfulness-Based Stress-Resilience Training Among Surgery Interns

Among surgical trainees, burnout and distress are prevalent, but mindfulness has been shown to decrease the risk of depression, suicidal ideation, burnout, and overwhelming stress. In other high-stress populations, formal mindfulness training has been shown to improve mental health, yet this approach has not been tried in surgery. To test the feasibility and acceptability of modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training during surgical residency. A pilot randomized clinical trial of modified MBSR vs an active control was conducted with 21 surgical interns in a residency training program at a tertiary academic medical center, from April 30, 2016, to December 2017. Weekly 2-hour, modified MBSR classes and 20 minutes of suggested daily home practice over an 8-week period. Feasibility was assessed along 6 domains (demand, implementation, practicality, acceptability, adaptation, and integration), using focus groups, interviews, surveys, attendance, daily practice time, and subjective self-report of experience. Of the 21 residents included in the analysis, 13 were men (62%). Mean (SD [range]) age of the intervention group was 29.0 (2.4 [24-31]) years, and the mean (SD [range]) age of the control group was 27.4 (2.1 [27-33]) years. Formal stress-resilience training was feasible through cultivation of stakeholder support. Modified MBSR was acceptable as evidenced by no attrition; high attendance (12 of 96 absences [13%] in the intervention group and 11 of 72 absences [15%] in the control group); no significant difference in days per week practiced between groups; similar mean (SD) daily practice time between groups with significant differences only in week 1 (control, 28.15 [12.55] minutes; intervention, 15.47 [4.06] minutes; P = .02), week 2 (control, 23.89 [12.93] minutes; intervention, 12.61 [6.06] minutes; P = .03), and week 4 (control, 26.26 [13.12] minutes; intervention, 15.36 [6.13] minutes; P = .04); course satisfaction (based on interviews and focus group feedback); and posttraining-perceived credibility (control, 18.00 [4.24]; intervention, 20.00 [6.55]; P = .03). Mindfulness skills were integrated into personal and professional settings and the independent practice of mindfulness skills continued over 12 months of follow-up (mean days [SD] per week formal practice, 3 [1.0]). Formal MBSR training is feasible and acceptable to surgical interns at a tertiary academic center. Interns found the concepts and skills useful both personally and professionally and participation had no detrimental effect on their surgical training or patient care. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03141190.

Wpływ Treningu Redukcji Stresu opartego na uważności (MBSR) na zdrowie fizyczne

The paper includes review of studies investigating the role of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training for somatic health. Presented data describe how MBSR affect physiology as well as benefits of mindfulness based interventions for patients suffering from variety of somatic disorders. The results of analyzed studies seems to be very promising however due to some methodological limitations more research in the area is needed.

Does mindfulness training modulate the influence of spatial attention on the processing of intracutaneous electrical stimuli?

Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) training has been proposed to improve attentional skills by modulating thalamo-cortical loops that affect the sensitivity of relevant cortical areas like the somatosensory cortex. This modulation may be reflected in the electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha rhythm, and could affect the processing of subsequently applied intracutaneous electrical stimuli. Participants took part in an MBSR training and participated in two EEG sessions. EEG was measured in variants of an endogenous orienting paradigm in which attention had to be directed to the left or right forearm. After the orienting interval, the electrical stimulus was applied, equally likely on the attended or the unattended forearm. One group of participants took part in the EEG session before and after the training, while the other group took part after the training, and another time, eight weeks later. The influence of the MBSR training and spatial attention were examined with behavioral measures, lateralized alpha power within the orienting interval, and with event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by the electrical stimuli. Self-reported mindfulness was clearly affected by the training, but no influence was found on other behavioral measures. Alpha power was clearly lateralized due to spatial attention and several ERP components (N130, N180, P340) were modulated by spatial attention but no support was found for an influence of the MBSR training. Finally, analyses revealed that individual differences in training time modulated some of the observed effects, but no support was found for an influence on attentional orienting.

Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on negative emotions in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Objective To study the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on the negative emotions in elderly patients with chronic heart failure. Methods A total of 148 cases of elderly patients with chronic heart failure undergoing standard medication therapy for heart failure from February 2015 to February 2016 in the Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited and divided in to experimental group (n=72) and control group (n=76) randomly. The patients of the control group were given health education, which on the basis of health education, the patients of the experimental group received MBSR training. After eight weeks of training, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH) were applied for patients' anxiety, depression and happiness in the two groups. Results After MBSR training, the scores of SAS, SDS and the negative score of MUNSH decreased in the experimental group (t=9.07, 2.59, 1.87; P<0.05). The positive and total score of MUNSH increased in the experimental group (t=4.19, 3.49; P<0.05). Conclusions MBSR training can improve anxiety, depression and subjective happiness in elderly patients with heart failure. Key words: Anxiety; Depression; Chronic heart failure; Mindfulness-based stress reduction; Subjective happiness

Meditation or exercise for preventing acute respiratory infection (MEPARI-2): A randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundPractice of meditation or exercise may enhance health to protect against acute infectious illness.ObjectiveTo assess preventive effects of meditation and exercise on acute respiratory infection (ARI) illness.DesignRandomized controlled prevention trial with three parallel groups.SettingMadison, Wisconsin, USA.ParticipantsCommunity-recruited adults who did not regularly exercise or meditate.Methods1) 8-week behavioral training in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR); 2) matched 8-week training in moderate intensity sustained exercise (EX); or 3) observational waitlist control. Training classes occurred in September and October, with weekly ARI surveillance through May. Incidence, duration, and area-under-curve ARI global severity were measured using daily reports on the WURSS-24 during ARI illness. Viruses were identified multiplex PCR. Absenteeism, health care utilization, and psychosocial health self-report assessments were also employed.ResultsOf 413 participants randomized, 390 completed the trial. In the MBSR group, 74 experienced 112 ARI episodes with 1045 days of ARI illness. Among exercisers, 84 had 120 episodes totaling 1010 illness days. Eighty-two of the controls had 134 episodes with 1210 days of ARI illness. Mean global severity was 315 for MBSR (95% confidence interval 244, 386), 256 (193, 318) for EX, and 336 (268, 403) for controls. A prespecified multivariate zero-inflated regression model suggested reduced incidence for MBSR (p = 0.036) and lower global severity for EX (p = 0.042), compared to control, not quite attaining the p<0.025 prespecified cut-off for null hypothesis rejection. There were 73 ARI-related missed-work days and 22 ARI-related health care visits in the MBSR group, 82 days and 21 visits for exercisers, and 105 days and 24 visits among controls. Viruses were identified in 63 ARI episodes in the MBSR group, compared to 64 for EX and 72 for control. Statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in general mental health, self-efficacy, mindful attention, sleep quality, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were observed in the MBSR and/or EX groups, compared to control.ConclusionsTraining in mindfulness meditation or exercise may help protect against ARI illness.LimitationsThis trial was likely underpowered.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01654289

Work-Related Stressors Among Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Home Visitors: A Qualitative Study

Background The Florida Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program delivers evidence-based home visiting services to over 1400 families each year. Home visitors are integral in providing resources for families to promote healthy pregnancy, child development, family wellness, and self-sufficiency. Due to the nature of this work, home visitors experience work-related pressures and stressors that can impact staff well-being and retention. Objectives The purpose of this study was to understand primary sources of work-related stress experienced by home visitors, subsequent effects on their engagement with program participants, and to learn of coping mechanisms used to manage stress. Methods In 2015, Florida MIECHV program evaluators conducted ten focus groups with 49 home visitors during which they ranked and discussed their top sources of work-related stress. Qualitative analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes in work-related stressors and coping/supports. Results Across all sites, the burden of paperwork and data entry were the highest ranked work-related stressors perceived as interfering with home visitors’ engagement with participants. The second-highest ranked stressors included caseload management, followed by a lack of resources for families, and dangerous environments. Home visitors reported gratification in their helping relationships families, and relied on coworkers or supervisors as primary sources of workplace support along with self-care (e.g. mini-vacations, recreation, and counseling). Conclusions for practice Florida MIECHV home visitors across all ten focus groups shared similar work-related stressors that they felt diminished engagement with program participants and could impact participant and staff retention. In response, Florida MIECHV increased resources to support home visitor compensation and reduce caseloads, and obtained a competitive award from HRSA to implement a mindfulness-based stress reduction training statewide.

MBSR jako metoda wspierająca proces radzenia sobie ze stresem i wypaleniem zawodowym u pielęgniarek

The paper refers to the problem of stress and burnout experienced by nurses and discusses possibilities of preventing those main causes of decreased job satisfactions. In the elaboration, the sources of stress in the nurse work were presented, as well as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training as a response to those psychosocial difficulties. Studies that demonstrate effectiveness of MBSR in decreasing experienced stress and symptoms of burnout were presented and discussed.

Application of mindfulness-based stress reduction to a stress management intervention in a study of a mining sector company

Purpose. The aim of this article was to check whether mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an effective intervention in reducing work-related stress in the case of workers in a copper mine. Methods. Sixty six employees were randomized to the experimental group (32 participants) or to the control group (34 participants). Work-related stress was measured using the job content questionnaire (JCQ) and mental health was measured using the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) Experimental manipulation was 40-h MBSR training. Results. Multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant increase of JCQ decision latitude (F = 17.36, p < 0.001) and social support (supervisor F = 9.00, p < 0.004; coworker F = 5.61, p < 0.020), and a significant decrease in GHQ-28 anxiety (F = 5.28, p < 0.079) and depression (F = 3.95, p < 0.048) due to the intervention. Conclusions. The study confirms that MBSR can be effective in reducing stress resulting from the external risk (and/or imagined fear) of losing one’s health or life. The use of MBSR could be recommended in health and safety activities in difficult and dangerous work conditions, such as mining, to promote workers’ well-being.

Benefits of 8-wk Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction or Aerobic Training on Seasonal Declines in Physical Activity.

ABSTRACTMindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and aerobic exercise training (AET) programs improve health and well-being. Exercise participation has been related to mindfulness and may be altered by MBSR training.PurposeThis study aimed to compare 8 wk of MBSR, AET, and no-treatment control during the fall season on objectively measured physical activity in healthy adults.MethodsParticipants (n = 66) wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 d prerandomization and after 8 wk MBSR or AET interventions, or neither (control). Mean daily minutes (min) of moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (MVPA) were calculated along with weekly time spent in bouts of MVPA ≥10 min (MVPABouts) to assess physical activity sufficient to meet national guidelines. Groups were compared on pairwise changes in outcomes across time. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d.ResultsSufficient data (≥3 weekdays, ≥1 weekend day, and ≥10 h·d−1) were obtained from 49 participants (18 MBSR, 14 AET, and 17 control). Daily MVPA decreased in all groups from prerandomization to postintervention (August to November); control decreased 17.9 ± 25.7 min·d−1, MBSR decreased 5.7 ± 7.5 min·d−1, and AET decreased 7.4 ± 14.3 min·d−1 (mean ± SD), without significant differences among the groups (all P > 0.05). MVPABouts decreased 77.3 ± 106.6 min·wk−1 in control and 15.5 ± 37.0 min·wk−1 in MBSR (between-group difference: P = 0.08; d = 0.86), whereas it increased by 5.7 ± 64.1 min·wk−1 in AET (compared with control: P = 0.029; d = 0.97; compared with MBSR; P = 0.564; d = 0.29).ConclusionData from participants in a randomized controlled trial showed that although AET increases MVPA bouts compared with no treatment, MBSR training may also mitigate the influence of shorter day length and cooler weather on participation in physical activities. Future research is needed to determine how MBSR affects exercise to inform interventions. Interventions combining MBSR and exercise may be particularly successful at increasing physical activity participation.

Four Weekly Ayahuasca Sessions Lead to Increases in "Acceptance" Capacities: A Comparison Study With a Standard 8-Week Mindfulness Training Program.

Background: The therapeutic effects of the Amazonian plant tea ayahuasca may relate to its ability to enhance mindfulness capacities. Ayahuasca induces a modified state of awareness through the combined action of its active principles: the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and a series of centrally acting β-carbolines, mainly harmine and tetrahydroharmine. To better understand the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, here we compared the impact on mindfulness capacities induced by two independent interventions: (a) participation in four ayahuasca sessions without any specific purpose related to improving mindfulness capacities; and (b) participation in a standard mindfulness training course: 8 weeks mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), with the specific goal of improving these skills.Methods: Participants of two independent groups completed two self-report instruments: The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ). The MINDSENS Composite Index was also calculated, including those EQ and FFMQ items that have proven to be the most sensitive to meditation practice. Group A (n = 10) was assessed before and after the last of four closely spaced consecutive ayahuasca sessions. Group B (n = 10) was assessed before and after completion of a standard 8-week MBSR course.Results: MBSR training led to greater increases in overall mindfulness scores after the 8-week period. MBSR but not ayahuasca led to increases in the MINDSENS Composite Index. However, the ayahuasca sessions induced comparable increases in the Non-Judging subscale of the FFMQ, specifically measuring “acceptance.” Improving this capacity allows for a more detached and less judgmental stance toward potentially distressing thoughts and emotions.Results: The present findings suggest that a small number of ayahuasca sessions can be as effective at improving acceptance as more lengthy and costly interventions. Future studies should address the benefits of combining ayahuasca administration with mindfulness-based interventions. This will allow us to investigate if ayahuasca will improve the outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions.

Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on quality of sleep, anxiety and depression in laryngocarcinoma patients

Objective To explore the influence of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on the quality of sleep, anxiety and depression in laryngocarcinoma patients. Methods Totally 68 laryngeal carcinoma patients were assigned into the control group (34 cases) and the oberservation group (34 cases) randomly. Routine nursing was given to both group, on the basis of which mindfulness-based stress reduction training was given to the observation group. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) , self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) , and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were evaluated before and after intervention, so as to evaluate the effect of the training. Results After MBSR training, the scores of PSQI, SAS and SDS of the observation group were (6.57±1.54) , (42.39±6.02) and (41.53±4.51) respectively, which were all lower than the control group, and the differences were are statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusions Mindfulness-based stress reduction training can effectively improve the laryngeal carcinoma patients' quality of sleep and reduce the level of anxiety and depression. Key words: Laryngeal neoplasms; Anxiety; Depression; Mindfulness-based stress reduction training; Quality of sleep

Self-Compassion Mediates Improvement in Well-being in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program in a Community-Based Sample

Numerous studies have found mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to be useful for a range of problems including anxiety, pain, and coping with a medical illness. As the field matures, there is a growing interest in mediational factors associated with the beneficial effects of MBSR. Self-compassion is a construct of increasing focus in empirical study and may play a role in the change process leading to improvement in well-being through MBSR. The primary goal of this pilot study was to examine the role of self-compassion in producing improved well-being following an 8-week MBSR program with a community-based sample. Participants engaged in a MBSR program at a major academic medical center and completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) pre- and post-MBSR course. Results demonstrated significant reduction of symptoms on the POMS and significant increases on the MAAS and SCS at the end of the program, indicating notable improvements in well-being. Mediation analyses demonstrated that changes in self-compassion mediated the relationship between mindfulness and well-being following MBSR training (serial indirect effects; β = − 9.45, CI (− 39.06, − 7.50)). These results suggest that mindfulness may provide a pathway to cultivating self-compassion in MBSR, which may be associated with enhanced well-being.

Improving the culture of safety on a high‐acuity inpatient child/adolescent psychiatric unit by mindfulness‐based stress reduction training of staff

The purpose of this study was to reduce perceived levels of interprofessional staff stress and to improve patient and staff safety by implementing a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training program on a highacuity psychiatric inpatient unit. A one-group repeated measure design was utilized to measure the impact of the (MBSR) training program on staff stress and safety immediately posttraining and at 2months. Two instruments were utilized in the study: the Toronto Mindfulness Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. The MBSR program reduced staff stress across the 2-month post-training period and increased staff mindfulness immediately following the brief training period of 8days, and across the 2-month post-training period. A trend toward positive impact on patient and staff safety was also seen in a decreased number of staff call-ins, decreased need for 1:1 staffing episodes, and decreased restraint use 2months following the training period. A brief MBSR training program offered to an interprofessional staff of a high-acuity inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit was effective in decreasing their stress, increasing their mindfulness, and improving staff and patient safety.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on Health Care Worker Safety: A Randomized Waitlist Controlled Trial.

The study assessed the impact of mindfulness training on occupational safety of hospital health care workers. The study used a randomized waitlist-controlled trial design to test the effect of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course on self-reported health care worker safety outcomes, measured at baseline, postintervention, and 6 months later. Twenty-three hospital health care workers participated in the study (11 in immediate intervention group; 12 in waitlist control group). The MBSR training decreased workplace cognitive failures (F [1, 20] = 7.44, P = 0.013, (Equation is included in full-text article.)) and increased safety compliance behaviors (F [1, 20] = 7.79, P = 0.011, (Equation is included in full-text article.)) among hospital health care workers. Effects were stable 6 months following the training. The MBSR intervention did not significantly affect participants' promotion of safety in the workplace (F [1, 20] = 0.40, P = 0.54, (Equation is included in full-text article.)). Mindfulness training may potentially decrease occupational injuries of health care workers.

Systematic review of management of chronic pain after surgery.

BackgroundPain present for at least 3 months after a surgical procedure is considered chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and affects 10–50 per cent of patients. Interventions for CPSP may focus on the underlying condition that indicated surgery, the aetiology of new‐onset pain or be multifactorial in recognition of the diverse causes of this pain. The aim of this systematic review was to identify RCTs of interventions for the management of CPSP, and synthesize data across treatment type to estimate their effectiveness and safety.Methods MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to March 2016. Trials of pain interventions received by patients at 3 months or more after surgery were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool.ResultsSome 66 trials with data from 3149 participants were included. Most trials included patients with chronic pain after spinal surgery (25 trials) or phantom limb pain (21 trials). Interventions were predominantly pharmacological, including antiepileptics, capsaicin, epidural steroid injections, local anaesthetic, neurotoxins, N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonists and opioids. Other interventions included acupuncture, exercise, postamputation limb liner, spinal cord stimulation, further surgery, laser therapy, magnetic stimulation, mindfulness‐based stress reduction, mirror therapy and sensory discrimination training. Opportunities for meta‐analysis were limited by heterogeneity. For all interventions, there was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on effectiveness.ConclusionThere is a need for more evidence about interventions for CPSP. High‐quality trials of multimodal interventions matched to pain characteristics are needed to provide robust evidence to guide management of CPSP.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Mental Health of Clinical Clerkship Students: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

To examine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction training (MBSR) on the mental health of medical students during clinical clerkships. Between February 2011 and May 2014, the authors conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial of clerkships as usual (CAU) and clerkships with additional MBSR in medical students during their first year of clinical clerkships at a Dutch university medical center. MBSR consisted of eight weekly two-hour sessions, comprising didactic teaching, meditation exercises, and group dialogues. Students completed online assessments at baseline and after 3, 7, 12, 15, and 20 months. Outcome measures were psychological distress, positive mental health, life satisfaction, physician empathy, mindfulness skills, and dysfunctional cognitions as measured by validated tools. Of 232 eligible students, 167 students (72%) participated and were randomized by clerkship group into MBSR (n = 83) or CAU (n = 84). The MBSR group reported a small reduction of psychological distress (P = .03, Cohen's d = 0.20) and dysfunctional cognitions (P = .05, Cohen's d = 0.18) and a moderate increase of positive mental health (P = .002, Cohen's d = 0.44), life satisfaction (P = .01, Cohen's d = 0.51), and mindfulness skills (P = .05, Cohen's d = 0.35) compared with CAU during the 20-month follow-up. The authors detected no significant effect on physician empathy (P = .18, Cohen's d = 0.27). MBSR appeared feasible and acceptable to medical clerkship students and resulted in a small to moderate improvement of mental health compared with CAU over the 20-month follow-up.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction training program increases psychological well-being, and emotional regulation, but not attentional performance. A pilot study

Recently, several studies have suggested that mindfulness-based training programs are beneficial for well-being and emotional regulation. In this article an assessment is presented on the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training Program on the extent of mindfulness, psychological well-being, empathy levels, emotional regulation and neuropsychological functions. Results showed that the trained group significantly increased their observation and non-judgment of inner experience variables. The trained group also improved in subjective psychological wellness, and emotional regulation, but not in attentional performance. The relationships between the results obtained are discussed, and a new method is proposed for assessing the capacity for emotional regulation. Further studies are necessary using larger samples.

Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities

In both the East and West, traditional teachings say that the mind and heart are somehow closely correlated, especially during spiritual practice. One difficulty in proving this objectively is that the natures of brain and heart activities are quite different. In this paper, we propose a methodology that uses wavelet entropy to measure the chaotic levels of both electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) data and show how this may be used to explore the potential coordination between the mind and heart under different experimental conditions. Furthermore, Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) was used to identify the brain regions in which the EEG wavelet entropy was the most affected by the experimental conditions. As an illustration, the EEG and ECG were recorded under two different conditions (normal rest and mindful breathing) at the beginning of an 8-week standard Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training course (pretest) and after the course (posttest). Using the proposed method, the results consistently showed that the wavelet entropy of the brain EEG decreased during the MBSR mindful breathing state as compared to that during the closed-eye resting state. Similarly, a lower wavelet entropy of heartrate was found during MBSR mindful breathing. However, no difference in wavelet entropy during MBSR mindful breathing was found between the pretest and posttest. No correlation was observed between the entropy of brain waves and the entropy of heartrate during normal rest in all participants, whereas a significant correlation was observed during MBSR mindful breathing. Additionally, the most well-correlated brain regions were located in the central areas of the brain. This study provides a methodology for the establishment of evidence that mindfulness practice (i.e., mindful breathing) may increase the coordination between mind and heart activities.

Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities.

In both the East and West, traditional teachings say that the mind and heart are somehow closely correlated, especially during spiritual practice. One difficulty in proving this objectively is that the natures of brain and heart activities are quite different. In this paper, we propose a methodology that uses wavelet entropy to measure the chaotic levels of both electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) data and show how this may be used to explore the potential coordination between the mind and heart under different experimental conditions. Furthermore, Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) was used to identify the brain regions in which the EEG wavelet entropy was the most affected by the experimental conditions. As an illustration, the EEG and ECG were recorded under two different conditions (normal rest and mindful breathing) at the beginning of an 8-week standard Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training course (pretest) and after the course (posttest). Using the proposed method, the results consistently showed that the wavelet entropy of the brain EEG decreased during the MBSR mindful breathing state as compared to that during the closed-eye resting state. Similarly, a lower wavelet entropy of heartrate was found during MBSR mindful breathing. However, no difference in wavelet entropy during MBSR mindful breathing was found between the pretest and posttest. No correlation was observed between the entropy of brain waves and the entropy of heartrate during normal rest in all participants, whereas a significant correlation was observed during MBSR mindful breathing. Additionally, the most well-correlated brain regions were located in the central areas of the brain. This study provides a methodology for the establishment of evidence that mindfulness practice (i.e., mindful breathing) may increase the coordination between mind and heart activities.