Mindfulness-based Training Research Articles

Changes in Trait Mindfulness after a Brief Mindfulness Training Program of Self-Breathing.

Developing and cultivating mindfulness exerts a positive effect on psychological and cognitive performance. Sharpening the skill requires continuous mindfulness-based training (MT), which can be challenging for people leading busy lives. Therefore, the current study examined whether trait mindfulness can be improved by a flexible and brief MT program of self-breathing using a pre-post intervention design. Trait mindfulness was assessed using the Japanese version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before the intervention (pre), after 2 weeks (during), and 4 weeks after the intervention started (post). Data were analyzed using the Friedman test followed by the Dunn-Bonferroni correction. The study sample consisted of 22 healthy participants aged from 20 to 60 years with no previous experience with yoga or meditation equivalent to MT. The mean number of days of MT practice was 26.4, and 11 participants had interruptions. The median values of pre-, during-, and post-total FFMQ scores were 115.5, 123, and 129, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the total pre and post (p < 0.001) and during and post (p = 0.002) FFMQ scores, though a medium effect was found (r = 0.30) only between the pre and post scores. Of the five sub-scales of FFMQ, significant differences were observed only between pre and post Observing (p = 0.01), Nonreactivity (p < 0.001), and Describing (p = 0.01), and during and post Nonjudging (p = 0.016), and Nonreactivity (p = 0.025). Our findings suggest that the simple, brief, and flexible self-breathing method employed in this study has a substantial effect on fostering trait mindfulness and, therefore, can be adopted by people with hectic daily schedules.

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy on enhancing adjustment and reducing impulsivity among Iranian couples

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based training program in improving marital adjustment and reducing impulsivity among Iranian couples. The study used a quasi-experimental design with two groups: experimental and control. The sample of the current study consisted of 16 married couples from the city of Tehran, totaling 32 participants. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups, experimental and control, with each group consisting of 8 couples. The results indicated the effectiveness of the mindfulness program in enhancing marital adjustment, with the posttest mean rising to (2.86), and the average impulsivity score decreased to 2.59, indicating a significant reduction in impulsivity among Iranian couples. Mindfulness-based therapy directly affects participants’ ability to regulate immediate emotions. This increased awareness significantly helps in managing harmful mental behaviors such as impulsivity, substance abuse, and poor adaptability. Future research should investigate the broader effects of mindfulness on mental and behavioral outcomes, with a focus on addressing impulsivity in young couples. Additionally, incorporating mindfulness-based therapy for couples both before and during marriage could enhance interpersonal relationships and overall quality of life.

Correction of professional burnout of health workers in the process of mindfulness-based training

Background. The article reviews the problem of testing the in-person version of the burnout reduction program "OsNOVA" for health workers.The aim of the work. To present the results of the program immediately after its completion and to study the sustainability of the effect.Materials and methods. As part of the program testing, 49 doctors and nurses were interviewed. The following methods were used: Maslach Burnout Inventory; Lazarus and Folkman Inventory of Coping Strategies; Beck Depression Inventory; Perceived Stress Scale 10; Short Form 12 questionnaire; mindfulness questionnaires.Results. It was found that when implementing a program to reduce the level of professional burnout in medical workers, held in-person, there is a statistically significant decrease in those subjects whose burnout was initially high. This is accompanied by an increase in mindfulness (primarily such components as Non-judgmentalism, Observation and Awareness of Actions), productive coping strategies. Health workers with a relatively low level of burnout had an improvement in a number of indicators reflecting the burnout level, as well as an increase in the quality of life. The effect achieved by the program persisted for at least three months after the end of its active part.Conclusion. The "OsNOVA" program in an in-person format can be used to prevent professional burnout of health workers. Additional work is planned for its further improvement.

Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Training Willingness in Preoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients.

The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and willingness of preoperative bariatric surgery patients to participate in self-compassion- and mindfulness-based attention training to modify their eating behaviors. Patients received feasibility questionnaires including sociodemographic and willingness questions. Based on these results, it was determined that participants had a high degree of knowledge related to self-compassion and mindfulness with confidence to perform mindfulness and self-compassion exercises without many perceived barriers. Self-compassion and mindfulness are holistic modalities that could easily be integrated into bariatric programs, and this study affirms that patients may accept noninvasive tools that encourage preoperative weight loss and postoperative maintenance of weight loss.

Embodied Mindfulness for Performers Cultivating Embodied Awareness

This paper explores some of the ways in which a mindfulness-based performer training can enable performers to cultivate embodied awareness. Recent science is used to develop a discussion which builds from body awareness into the cultivation of states of 'embodiment'. In particular, Khoury et al's 'Embodied Mindfulness' schema (2023) is used to develop a model of embodied mindfulness training for performers. The practical applicability of these ideas is explored through examples drawn from practical performance research.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Psychological Comorbidities in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, lifelong disease, so IBD patients are highly susceptible to negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, resulting in a reduced quality of life. Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) is widely used to reduce stress, anxiety and depression in people. Therefore, this study conducted a systematic review of mindfulness-based intervention training on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with IBD through meta-analysis. Search papers in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang, and Embase databases. The search time limit was from the establishment of the database to May 2023. Randomized controlled trial studies of the effect of mindfulness intervention training on patients with IBD were screened, the included results were integrated and analyzed, and ReviewManager 5.4 was used for meta-analysis. A total of 14 studies with a total of 1030 IBD patients were included. A total of 10 studies showed that the anxiety of patients in the mindfulness intervention group was significantly reduced by (standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.01 to -0.45) compared to the control group. 8 studies showed that the intervention group significantly reduced patients' depression (SMD = -0.60, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.42). 7 studies showed that the patient's quality of life improved after mindfulness intervention (SMD = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45-0.87). Mindfulness-based intervention training can improve anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the short term, but the long-term effects need to be confirmed by more randomized controlled trials.

Comparing the Influence of an Aqua-based Versus a Mindfulness-based Kata Techniques Training on Sleep Habits and Stereotypic Behaviors in Children With Autism

Comparing the Influence of an Aqua-based Versus a Mindfulness-based Kata Techniques Training on Sleep Habits and Stereotypic Behaviors in Children With Autism

The Impact of a Mindfulness-based Intervention on Stress and Self-compassion among Nurses: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract Background: Nurses play a vital role in hospitals as well as other medical settings. They often deal with a lot of stress and effort. Clinical posting at the hospital has been linked to adverse health and work outcomes for many staff nurses due to stress, worry, pressure, and exhaustion. Reduced stress, anxiety, and discontent are the stated goals of this study, which assesses the efficacy of a mindfulness intervention for pediatric nurses. Methodology: This research adopted a quantitative evaluative approach and employed a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized comparison group design, and a purposive sampling technique was used to draw the samples. The investigation was conducted at selected pediatric hospitals within Vijayapura, Karnataka, among the 96 pediatric nurses. Results: The research findings indicated a significant increase in the mean posttest self-compassion score compared to the pretest score, with a t-value of 152.24 at a significance level of P = 0.05. The study demonstrated that mindfulness-based training effectively enhanced self-compassion among experimental staff nurses, as evidenced by a significant improvement at a 5% significance level and 94° of freedom. Furthermore, the Chi-square test revealed a strong association between stress levels and posting area in the interventional group, with a χ2 = 10.725 and 2° of freedom at a significance level of 0.05%. Specifically, a significant correlation was found between family type and the number of children in the family in the interventional group (χ2 = 6.883 with 2° of freedom; χ2 = 9.063), whereas no other variables significantly impacted self-compassion in this group. In contrast, none of the demographic variables had a significant effect on self-compassion in the comparison group. Conclusion: The researcher showed that the mindfulness stress reduction intervention decreased stress and increased self-compassion among pediatric hospital staff nurses. Nursing administrators could use this cost-effective solution to reduce nurse stress in clinical settings.

Exploring the Interpersonal Outcomes of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training Among Police Employees

Police employees have an essential role in sustaining safety and harmony within communities, and they need to stay well as individuals in order to achieve this. Yet, their stressful work environment does not always afford optimal interpersonal interactions. In collaboration with the Dutch police force, the present project explored the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on the fostering of constructive interpersonal responses as well as individual well-being among employees of the Dutch police. In total, 133 police employees participated in a non-randomized waitlist controlled MBSR intervention. Participants filled out four online questionnaires spread evenly over a period of six months on constructive interpersonal responses and individual well-being. Linear mixed-effects analyses showed increases on various indicators of constructive interpersonal responding and individual well-being from pre-to post-training. These results were largely maintained at two-month follow-up. Interestingly, the positive effects of mindfulness intervention did not generalize across all measures of constructive interpersonal responding. Moreover, more frequent home practice predicted training benefits. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Reducing neuroendocrine psychosocial stress response through socio-emotional dyadic but not mindfulness online training.

Stress-related diseases pose significant health risks and show wide prevalence. Empirical evidence suggests that contemplative practices, such as socio-emotional dyadic mental exercises, hold promise in mitigating the adverse effects of stress and promoting psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to investigate the differential effects of two online contemplative mental training programs on the psychosocial stress response: the first involved classic mindfulness practices, while the second incorporated a socio-emotional dyadic approach known as Affect Dyad. The study was conducted as part of the longitudinal CovSocial project's phase 2 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 140 individuals participated in the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST), where the psychosocial stress response was assessed with cortisol saliva samples and subjective stress questionnaires in a cross-sectional design after the active training groups finished their intervention period. Participants were randomly assigned to the socio-emotional training group, mindfulness-based training group, or a control group that did not receive any training. Both training programs consisted of a ten-week intervention period with a daily 12-minute app-based mental training practice and weekly 2-hour online coaching sessions led by mental training teachers. Results showed that the socio-emotional Dyad group but not the mindfulness-based group exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels at 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after the stressor as well as lower total cortisol output compared to the control group during the TSST, indicating a reduced hormonal stress response to a social stressor. Subjective markers did not show differences between the three groups. These findings indicate that the daily socio-emotional dyadic practice, which emphasizes non-judgmental and empathic listening as well as the acceptance of challenging emotions in the presence of others within one's daily life context, may serve as a protective factor against the adverse effects of psychosocial stress triggered by the fear of negative social judgments. Given the high prevalence of stress-related diseases, such online mental training programs based on dyadic practices may thus represent an efficient and scalable approach for stress reduction.

Can mindfulness-based training impact explicit and implicit attitudes and sustainable nutrition behavior? A focus on vegetarianism

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a mindfulness intervention (IG) compared to an inactive control group (CG) on explicit and implicit attitudes toward vegetarian and meat-based foods, nutrition behavior measures, trait mindfulness and wellbeing. MethodsIn the IG (N = 66), we implemented a mindfulness-based intervention consisting of eight weekly group sessions online, along with an additional half-day session held on campus. The CG (N = 71) received no intervention or training. We employed a pre-/post-intervention design involving questionnaires (trait mindfulness, wellbeing, sustainable nutrition behavior scale), an online supermarket scenario, as well as an explicit rating task and an implicit association task using pictures of vegetarian and meat-based foods. Additionally, a voluntary follow-up testing was conducted two months after the final group session. ResultsNo intervention effects were observed on explicit and implicit attitudes, wellbeing, or nutrition behavior measures. However, there was an increase in trait mindfulness within the IG. Exploratory cross-sectional findings indicated that trait mindfulness facets such as “Acting with Awareness” and “Outer Awareness”, along with explicit attitudes, were significant predictors of self-reported sustainable consumption behavior. Additionally, sex and explicit attitudes were identified as significant predictors of vegetarian consumption behavior in the online supermarket task. ConclusionOur findings could not substantiate previous claims regarding the potential causal effects of mindfulness practice on sustainable consumption behavior, specifically in the realm of sustainable and vegetarian nutrition, as well as subjective wellbeing. Future studies may benefit from implementing longer-term mindfulness-based interventions and considering other potential decisive factors, such as connectedness to nature and others. Integrating training elements focusing on these specific variables into the intervention could be valuable.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Quality of Life, Emotional Distress, and Pain Intensity among Women with Breast Cancer

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on improving quality of life, emotional distress, and pain intensity among women with breast cancer. Methods: In this semi-experimental research, a pretest-post-test design with a control group (unequal) was used. Its statistical population included all women with breast cancer in Sirjan city in 2021. Forty women with breast cancer in Sirjan city in 2021 were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. At first, a pre-test was taken from both groups. Then, mindfulness-based stress reduction training was implemented for the experimental group, and no intervention was performed for the control group. To collect data, the quality-of-life questionnaire of the World Health Organization and the emotional distress questionnaire were used. The research data were analyzed using covariance analysis. Results: The quality-of-life scores in the experimental group increased from 20.54 in the pre-test phase to 85.97 in the post-test phase and decreased from 48.85 to 39.05 in the control group. The emotional distress score in the experimental group decreased from 100.05 in the pre-test to 51.40 in the post-test stage. In the control group, the emotional distress decreased from 107.1 in the pretest to 103.7 in the post-test stage. Also, in the experimental group, the pain intensity scores decreased from 8.60 in the pre-test to 4.35 in the post-test. In the control group, the pain intensity decreased from 7.20 in the pre-test to 7.80 in the post-test. Conclusion: Stress reduction methods based on mindfulness can be effective in the quality of life, emotional distress, and pain intensity in women with breast cancer. According to the results, it seems necessary for nurses, doctors, and patients to cooperate with psychologists to carry out interventions.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery training on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer-related fatigue in breast neoplasm patients undergoing chemotherapy

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery training on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer-related fatigue in breast neoplasm patients undergoing chemotherapy

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Group Training on Resilience and high-risk Behaviors of Students with Self-harm Experience in Raz and Jorglan Cities

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Group Training on Resilience and high-risk Behaviors of Students with Self-harm Experience in Raz and Jorglan Cities

The Effect of Mindfulness -Based Stress Reduction Program on Work Stress in Nurses: A Systematic Review

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the randomized controlled studies investigating the effects of mindfulness-based training programs given to nurses on occupational stress and to systematically evaluate the data obtained from the studies. Methods: In order to determine the effect of mindfulnessbased training programs on occupational stress in nurses, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO host and Cochrane data bases were searched. The search was in English and was conducted using 3 key words (nurse, mindfulness, occupational stress). As a result of the literature rewiew, 7.382 articles were reached and 5 studies were included in the study. Studies were evaluated using the PRISMA checklist. As a result of the literature review, 5 articles including 380 participants were included in there view. Results: When the content of the 5 studies included in this study is examined, it is noteworthy that after the training, the awareness levels of nurses increased, their job stress levels decreased, their job satisfaction and patient care quality increased. It was determined that MBSR education reduced the depression and anxiety levels of nurses and played an important role in increasing their awareness levels and sleep quality significantly. In addition, with the data obtained, it was found that the mindfulness-based stress eduction program also reduced sleep problems and fatigue levels. Conclusion: The studies examined showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction program greatly decreased occupational stress in nurses. So it can be recommended to use the MBSR program in nursing inservice training.

Augmenting complex and dynamic performance through mindfulness-based cognitive training: An evaluation of training adherence, trait mindfulness, personality and resting-state EEG.

Human performance applications of mindfulness-based training have demonstrated its utility in enhancing cognitive functioning. Previous studies have illustrated how these interventions can improve performance on traditional cognitive tests, however, little investigation has explored the extent to which mindfulness-based training can optimise performance in more dynamic and complex contexts. Further, from a neuroscientific perspective, the underlying mechanisms responsible for performance enhancements remain largely undescribed. With this in mind, the following study aimed to investigate how a short-term mindfulness intervention (one week) augments performance on a dynamic and complex task (target motion analyst task; TMA) in young, healthy adults (n = 40, age range = 18-38). Linear mixed effect modelling revealed that increased adherence to the web-based mindfulness-based training regime (ranging from 0-21 sessions) was associated with improved performance in the second testing session of the TMA task, controlling for baseline performance. Analyses of resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) metrics demonstrated no change across testing sessions. Investigations of additional individual factors demonstrated that enhancements associated with training adherence remained relatively consistent across varying levels of participants' resting-state EEG metrics, personality measures (i.e., trait mindfulness, neuroticism, conscientiousness), self-reported enjoyment and timing of intervention adherence. Our results thus indicate that mindfulness-based cognitive training leads to performance enhancements in distantly related tasks, irrespective of several individual differences. We also revealed nuances in the magnitude of cognitive enhancements contingent on the timing of adherence, regardless of total volume of training. Overall, our findings suggest that mindfulness-based training could be used in a myriad of settings to elicit transferable performance enhancements.

“I’m Not Sure I Can See Myself in This World”: Experience of Mindfulness Teacher Training among Trainees from Diverse Backgrounds

ObjectivesThere is a growing recognition of the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in mindfulness-based Teacher Training Programs (TTPs), given current imbalances in representation of teachers and trainers, and a recognised need to build awareness of personal and organisational biases. Little is known about how EDI issues may impact the experience of trainees on a TTP. This study aimed to explore underrepresented trainees’ experiences on a TTP, including what hindered or helped them access training or feel included, and their views on how best to foster EDI in TTPs.MethodSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with seven current and graduate mindfulness teacher trainees from underrepresented groups. Their experiences of EDI throughout training were explored. Data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsKey findings were that feelings of inclusion were influenced by how represented and acknowledged trainees felt by their trainers and peers; feelings of safety influenced their choices around disclosure; a main access barrier was cost; and more explicit teaching about EDI in TTP curricula is needed. There was a need for wider access to entry trainings such as 8-week mindfulness-based programmes.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insight into how underrepresented teacher trainees experience TTPs and highlights opportunities to better support mindfulness teacher trainees. TTPs need to integrate EDI awareness and understanding into their ethos and curriculum. Further research is needed to inform and develop approaches to further embed EDI in mindfulness-based program teaching and training.

Effects of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Reactivity

Abstract Background: Mindfulness, rooted in ancient practices, is being studied for its impact on emotion regulation and mental well-being. Objective: The study aimed to investigate whether there would be a significant change in reactivity to emotional stimuli following mindfulness-based training. This was assessed through two measures: a) self-perception of valence and arousal in evaluating images, and b) postural sway while visualizing these images. Methods: Fifty graduate students, divided into a training and a control group, participated in the study. They went through two data collection events, with the same collection procedure, and mindfulness-based training was offered to the training group between the collection events. These individuals were presented with pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images and data was collected regarding the postural sway and individual evaluation of these images for valence (pleasant - unpleasant) and arousal (high - low). Data were compared using the repeated measures ANOVA statistical test. Results: The results pointed to a change in the postural pattern of the training group for the neutral images, indicating a more flexible posture, with greater exploration of the space in the standing position, and changes in the perception of arousal for unpleasant images, with a significant reduction in the mobilization of individuals who underwent the training. Conclusion: These are important results for the advancement of research, since the physiological measures are not subject to conscious manipulation by the participant. Keywords: Mindfulness, Emotional reactivity, Postural sway.

Reducing Loneliness through the Power of Practicing Together: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Online Dyadic Socio-Emotional vs. Mindfulness-Based Training.

Loneliness has become a pressing topic, especially among young adults and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a randomized controlled trial with 253 healthy adults, we evaluated the differential efficacy of two 10-week app-delivered mental training programs: one based on classic mindfulness and one on an innovative partner-based socio-emotional practice (Affect Dyad). We show that the partner-based training resulted in greater reductions in loneliness than the mindfulness-based training. This effect was shown on three measures of loneliness: general loneliness assessed with the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, state loneliness queried over an 8-day ecological momentary assessment in participants' daily lives, and loneliness ratings required before and after daily practice. Our study provides evidence for the higher efficacy of a mental training approach based on a 12 min practice conducted with a partner in reducing loneliness and provides a novel, scalable online approach to reduce the increasing problem of loneliness in society.

A multisite feasibility randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based resilience training for aggression, stress, and health in law enforcement officers

BackgroundLaw enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to significant stressors that can impact their mental health, increasing risk of posttraumatic stress disorder, burnout, at-risk alcohol use, depression, and suicidality. Compromised LEO health can subsequently lead to aggression and excessive use of force. Mindfulness training is a promising approach for high-stress populations and has been shown to be effective in increasing resilience and improving mental health issues common among LEOs.MethodsThis multi-site, randomized, single-blind clinical feasibility trial was intended to establish optimal protocols and procedures for a future full-scale, multi-site trial assessing effects of mindfulness-based resilience training (MBRT) versus an attention control (stress management education [SME]) and a no-intervention control, on physiological, attentional, and psychological indices of stress and mental health. The current study was designed to enhance efficiency of recruitment, engagement and retention; optimize assessment, intervention training and outcome measures; and ensure fidelity to intervention protocols. Responsiveness to change over time was examined to identify the most responsive potential proximate and longer-term assessments of targeted outcomes.ResultsWe observed high feasibility of recruitment and retention, acceptability of MBRT, fidelity to assessment and intervention protocols, and responsiveness to change for a variety of putative physiological and self-report mechanism and outcome measures.ConclusionsResults of this multi-site feasibility trial set the stage for a full-scale, multi-site trial testing the efficacy of MBRT on increasing LEO health and resilience, and on decreasing more distal outcomes of aggression and excessive use of force that would have significant downstream benefits for communities they serve.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03784846. Registered on December 24th, 2018.