Regular Meditation Practice Research Articles

Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT) to protect and nurture community care providers

Purpose This case study describes pilot implementation of Nalanda Institute’s Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT) with community care providers in New York City (NYC) to protect them from stress and trauma impacts and nurture their capacity to deliver skillful, compassionate care. Design/methodology/approach The Academy for Community Behavioral Health in NYC offered CBRT at no cost to a diverse cohort of 28 nonprofit care providers. This virtual eight-week course met weekly for 2 hours over Zoom, with formal and informal meditation practice between sessions. A mixed methods pre/post survey assessed changes in meditation practice, work-related stress and mindfulness and compassion. A final survey invited participant feedback on course experiences and course outcomes. Findings This case study suggests that a virtual eight-week CBRT course can be both feasible and effective for community care providers, even in their demanding roles. Most participants who started the course completed it (77%). CBRT helped participants establish a regular meditation practice and led to improvements on indicators of work-related stress, mindfulness and compassion. Participants linked these changes to an increased sense of hopefulness, agency and resilience for navigating stress and trauma in their work. They also found valued peer support in the course. Originality/value This case study offers one model for sharing effective but underused contemplative healing tools with care providers who encounter significant stress and trauma. It can inform efforts by funders, organizational leaders, managers, direct care staff and researchers to better protect these critical helpers.

The self-efficacy for regular meditation practice scale (SERMS): Development and psychometric validation.

The health benefits of meditation are well-documented, yet people struggle to practice regularly. Domain-specific self-efficacy is an important modifiable driver of health behavior change that is poorly understood in the meditation context. As such, the present study developed the Self-Efficacy for Regular Meditation Practice Scale (SERMS) assessing confidence in one's capacity to meditate frequently and in a way that favorably impacts well-being, including securing the psychological, social, and structural supports needed for ongoing practice. Participants provided online survey data at baseline and 1-week follow-up. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted (n = 249) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (n = 249). A three-factor structure best fit the data, with subscales measuring self-efficacy to benefit from meditation, persist in meditation, and obtain teacher and community support. Validity and test-retest reliability coefficients supported the SERMS as a promising measure of self-efficacy for meditation that may further research on meditation behavior adoption.

A randomised study to evaluate the potential added value of shared meditation involving people with cancer, health professionals and third persons compared to meditation conducted with patients only: design of the Implic-2 protocol

BackgroundIn oncology, the suffering of patients and the burnout of health professionals are key issues. Mindfulness meditation is a holistic approach that can help to improve well-being. While numerous studies have shown the benefits of meditation for both patients and health professionals, the added value of offering shared meditation to groups of patients, health professionals and third persons has not been assessed. Beyond strengthening the relationship between carers and patients, opening up meditation sessions to third parties (neither carers nor patients) enables patients to escape the stigma of their illness. We previously conducted a pilot study that validated the feasibility and the relevance of shared meditation with a specifically designed programme.Methods/DesignIMPLIC-2 is a two-arm randomised study designed to assess the added value of this meditation programme (optimised following the pilot study), particularly for cancer patients (our target population). People motivated to follow the programme, without previous regular practice of meditation and able to participate in the sessions are eligible. The study will include 96 participants: 16 health professionals, 16 third persons and 64 patients. The latter will be randomized in two arms: the experimental arm (“Shared” meditation) consisting of 4 mixed groups of 8 patients, 4 health professionals and 4 third parties, and the control arm (“Patient” meditation) consisting of 2 groups of 16 patients. Validated questionnaires will be used to measure the effects of the programme, notably in terms of quality of life, perceived stress, feelings of self-efficacy, qualities of mindfulness and self-compassion, and carers’ burn-out. Participants' perception of a change in their quality of life and satisfaction will be measured at the end of the programme. A complementary qualitative focus-group approach will be used to optimise implementation of the programme beyond the study.DiscussionThe well-being of oncology patients would be improved. Dealing with overworked carers would have a beneficial impact on the way they interact with patients. In addition, encounters between the three types of population will allow otherness to be viewed differently and alleviate suffering by promoting collective humanity.Trial RegistrationNCT06041607, registered: 09/18/2023.Protocol versionVersion n°1.2 dated from 08/29/2023.

Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors.

Meditation practice and psychedelic use have attracted increasing attention in the public sphere and scientific research. Both methods induce non-ordinary states of consciousness that may have significant therapeutic benefits. Thus, there is growing scientific interest in potential synergies between psychedelic use and meditation practice with some research suggesting that psychedelics may benefit meditation practice. The present study examined individual, psychedelic-related, and meditation-related factors to determine under what conditions meditators perceive psychedelic use as beneficial for their meditation practice. Participants (N = 863) who had reported psychedelic use and a regular meditation practice (at least 3 times per week during the last 12 months) were included in the study. To accommodate a large number of variables, machine learning (i.e., elastic net, random forest) was used to analyze the data. Most participants (n = 634, 73.5%) found psychedelic use to have a positive influence on their quality of meditation. Twenty-eight variables showed significant zero-order associations with perceived benefits even following a correction. Elastic net had the best performance (R2 = .266) and was used to identify the most important features. Across 53 variables, the model found that greater use of psychedelics, intention setting during psychedelic use, agreeableness, and exposure to N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT) were most likely to be associated with the perception that psychedelics benefit meditation practice. The results were consistent across several different approaches used to identify the most important variables (i.e., Shapley values, feature ablation). Results suggest that most meditators found psychedelic use to have a positive influence on their meditation practice, with: 1) regularity of psychedelic use, 2) the setting of intentions for psychedelic use, 3) having an agreeable personality, and 4) reported use of N,N-DMT being the most likely predictors of perceiving psychedelic use as beneficial. Longitudinal designs and randomized trials manipulating psychedelic use are needed to establish causality.

Impact of Heartfulness Meditation on Improving Antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction Oxidative stress plays an indispensable role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Several studies suggest that meditation can reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant status. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of heartfulness meditation on antioxidant status and lipid profile in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Fifty-nine angiographically diagnosed CAD patients were included in the study. Patients who were enrolled practiced heartfulness meditation for a period of six months. Protein thiol (an antioxidant marker), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C) were measured under fasting conditions before and after six months of meditation practice. Results After six months of practice of heartfulness meditation, there was a statistically significant increase in HDL-C (39.10 ± 8.30 vs. 42.85 ± 8.16, p < .01) and an antioxidant marker protein thiol (257.34 ± 39.68 vs. 345.31 ± 57.53, p < .0001). The mean levels of triglycerides (205.81 ± 88.31 vs. 182.53 ± 93.57 mg dl−1), VLDL-C (41.18 ± 17.64 vs. 36.51 ± 18.71 mg dl−1), and total cholesterol (170.02 ± 40.10 vs. 164.46 ± 42.20 mg dl−1) decreased following the intervention, although the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Heartfulness meditation is an effective means to decrease free radical formation and improve antioxidant status and lipid profile in CAD patients. As a result of this study, regular meditation practice has the potential to be one of the most effective non-pharmacological strategies for CAD prevention.

Study on the effects of short-term yoga practice on body composition, physical fitness, physiological variables, nutritional and mental health status of school children

Background and Aim: Physical inactivity may cause poor physical fitness, obesity, cardio-respiratory and mental illness. The present study was designed to find out the effects of short term yoga practice on body composition, physical fitness, physiological variables, nutrition and mental status of school children of 10 to 12 years. Materials and Methods: For the present study 120 volunteers (60 healthy female and 60 healthy male) within the age group of 10–12 years were screened randomly and were divided into: (a) Yoga Group (n = 60) and (b) Control Group (n = 60). Both these groups were sub-divided into (i) Male (n = 30) and (ii) Female (n = 30) volunteers. The volunteers of yoga group followed a yoga practice schedule of 1hr/day, 6 days/week for 6 weeks, with no yoga practice in control group. Body composition, physical fitness, physiological variables, nutrition and mental status were measured before (0 week) and after (6 weeks) training. Results: A significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in strength, flexibility, anaerobic power, VO2max, FVC, FEV1, PEFR; and decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in resting heart rate, blood pressure, depression, anxiety and stress scores were observed in both male and female volunteers after six weeks of yoga practice. Conclusion: Regular practice of yogic asana, pranayama, and meditation improves body composition, cardiovascular, respiratory, physical fitness, and reduces stress level.

Finding presence during a pandemic: a qualitative analysis of participation in an Irish University online mindfulness practice during the COVID-19 emergency

Background: In response to the change, and distress, that many faced during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, a twice weekly online practice of mindfulness meditation was delivered to staff, students and the wider community outside of the University of Galway, Ireland. Mindfulness is a contemplative practice which improves coping skills and reduces emotional distress. This practice allows attention to be directed to the present moment, with acceptance and without judgement. Strengthening this practice nurtures skills of dealing with difficult emotions, changing unhelpful habits, behaviours and strengthening resilience during uncertainty. The twice weekly practice of an online mindfulness meditation was delivered in the context of the changes and preventative measures of the first pandemic lockdown in Ireland. The main objective of this practice is to cultivate skills of returning to the present, being grounded and building resilience amidst adversity. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the offered regular online practice of mindfulness meditation for participants during the COVID-19 emergency, exploring through qualitative analysis of their own lived experience with this intervention. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of a short-structured interview process to explore the participants’ experience of the online practice of mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: From participating in this regular practice at this time, participants reported improved self-awareness, stress management and emotional regulation. Along with this, participants reported the felt sense of empathy and compassion and a sense of connection. Conclusion: This study has shown that during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, an online mindfulness meditation led to better wellbeing.

Embarking on the Path of Serenity: Unraveling the Impact of Buddhist Meditation on Modern Life in Bandung

The inexorable flow of modernity throughout the world has changed the fabric of life tremendously, leading to various social problems. In response to this, religious individuals, who already have standardized guidelines in their lives, are seeking ways to navigate and address the complexities brought on by modernization. This research delves into the impact of meditation practiced by Buddhists in Bandung, West Java, utilizing a qualitative method. The study unravels the profound influence of meditation on the pattern of daily life, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being of the meditators. The findings indicate that regular meditation practice not only cultivates a calmer and composed mindset but also enhances the ability to cope with stress, facilitates emotional control, and fosters quicker problem-solving skills in their everyday activities. Moreover, the research sheds light on how meditation serves as a transformative tool, leading to increased wisdom and tranquility, ultimately aiding individuals in seeking enlightenment and attaining ultimate happiness amidst the challenges of modern life. The significance of this research in academia lies in its contribution to a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of Buddhist meditation on daily life and mental well-being, providing valuable insights into the role of meditation practices in navigating the complexities of modernity.

Heart-brain Rhythmic Synchronization during Meditation: A Nonlinear Signal Analysis.

Heart-brain synchronization is the integration of mind, body, and spirit. It occurs when the electrical activity of the heart and brain is synchronized. In recent years, there has been mounting curiosity to investigate the effects of meditation on heart-brain synchronization with respect to mental and emotional health and well-being. The current investigation aims to explore the rhythmic synchronicity between the brain and the heart during heartfulness meditation (HM) practice. The study was performed on 45 healthy volunteers who were categorized into three equal groups: long-term meditators (LTMs), short-term meditators (STMs), and nonmeditators (NMs). The electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were recorded to measure the prefrontal activity, and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were recorded to measure the cardiac activity. The data were recorded in four states: baseline, meditation, transmission, and posttransmission. The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) method was used for the analysis of EEG and ECG signals. The result indicates that DFA values of EEG and ECG declined during meditation and transmission states as compared to pre- and postmeditation states. Significant results were obtained for the LTM group in all the states. A positive correlation was also observed between DFA of the heart and brain for the LTM group and no significant correlations were observed for the STM and NM groups. The shreds of evidence suggest that heart-brain synchronization facilitates mental and emotional stability. HM practice has the potential to regulate the fluctuation of the mind. Regular meditation practice may result in physiological synchrony between cardiac and neural behavior, which can be considered a quality index for meditation practice.

Classic psychedelic use and current meditation practice.

Previous research has investigated potential synergies between classic psychedelics and meditation practice, but relatively little remains known about the relationship between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with meditation practice.The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with two popular types of meditation: mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation. This retrospective, population-based observational study included 2,822 respondents aged 18 years or older in the United States. Using covariate-adjusted regression models, this study examined associations of classic psychedelic experiences with current practice of mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation. In covariate-adjusted regression models, lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice but not current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Both psychological insight and "ego dissolution" were associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Notably, when psychological insight and "ego dissolution" were entered into the regression model simultaneously, only greater psychological insight was associated with having a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Although the findings in this study cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that classic psychedelic experiences may exert a positive effect on the cultivation and maintenance of health-related behaviors such as regular meditation practice, with psychological insight appearing to be a stronger predictor than "ego dissolution." This study was not preregistered.

Comparative effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention (M-Body) on depressive symptoms: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

BackgroundMindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve psychological outcomes including stress, anxiety, and depression in general population studies. However, effectiveness has not been sufficiently examined in racially and ethnically diverse community-based settings. We will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a mindfulness-based intervention on depressive symptoms among predominantly Black women at a Federally Qualified Health Center in a metropolitan city.MethodsIn this 2-armed, stratified, individually randomized group-treated controlled trial, 274 English-speaking participants with depressive symptoms ages 18–65 years old will be randomly assigned to (1) eight weekly, 90-min group sessions of a mindfulness-based intervention (M-Body), or (2) enhanced usual care. Exclusion criteria include suicidal ideation in 30 days prior to enrollment and regular (>4x/week) meditation practice. Study metrics will be assessed at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after baseline, through clinical interviews, self-report surveys, and stress biomarker data including blood pressure, heart rate, and stress related biomarkers. The primary study outcome is depressive symptom score after 6 months.DiscussionIf M-Body is found to be an effective intervention for adults with depressive symptoms, this accessible, scalable treatment will widely increase access to mental health treatment in underserved, racial/ethnic minority communities.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03620721. Registered on 8 August 2018.

The role of mindfulness, meditation, and peer support in recovery capital among Recovery Dharma members

IntroductionRecovery Dharma (RD) is a Buddhist-based peer support program for the treatment of addiction that incorporates mindfulness and meditation into meetings, program literature, and the recovery process, creating the opportunity to study these variables in a peer-support program context. Mindfulness and meditation are beneficial for people in recovery, yet we know little about their relationship to recovery capital, a positive indicator of recovery outcomes. We explored mindfulness and meditation (average length of sessions and average frequency per week) as predictors of recovery capital and examined perceived support in relation to recovery capital. MethodsThe study recruited participants (N = 209) through the RD website, newsletter and social media pages for an online survey that included measures of recovery capital, mindfulness, perceived support, and questions about meditation practices (e.g., frequency, duration). Participants' mean age was 46.68 years (SD = 12.21), with 45 % female (5.7 % non-binary), and 26.8 % from the LGBTQ2S+ community. The mean time in recovery was 7.45 years (SD = 10.37). The study fitted univariate and multivariate linear regression models to determine significant predictors of recovery capital. ResultsAs anticipated, multivariate linear regressions indicated that mindfulness (β = 0.31, p < .001), meditation frequency (β = 0.26, p < .001), and perceived support from RD (β = 0.50, p < .001) were all significant predictors of recovery capital when controlling for age and spirituality. However, longer time in recovery and the average duration of meditation sessions did not predict recovery capital as anticipated. ConclusionsResults indicate the importance of a regular meditation practice for recovery capital rather than engaging in prolonged sessions infrequently. The results also support previous findings, which point to the influence of mindfulness and meditation on positive outcomes for people in recovery. Further, peer support is associated with higher recovery capital in RD members. This study is the first examination of the relationship between mindfulness, meditation, peer support, and recovery capital in recovering people. The findings lay the groundwork for the continued exploration of these variables as they relate to positive outcomes both within the RD program and in other recovery pathways.

ПРАКТИКА МАЙНДФУЛНЕС У ПСИХОТЕРАПЕВТИЧНІЙ ПРАКТИЦІ

The article examines the relevance of mindfulness as a modern direction of working with consciousness, its possibilities in overcoming the consequences of various kinds of stress. The historical origins of the method of self-awareness, its connection with the practices of mindfulness meditation, vipassana, and yoga are considered. The main idea in practice is the idea of filling the moment with meaning and awareness. The works of John-Kabat Zinn and the difference between mindfulness and religious practices are mentioned. Such component practices as breathing, self-compassion, social component through compassion are considered. The article notes the difference between mindfulness and relaxation, as one of the means of self-soothing. It is emphasized that through the practice of mindfulness, a person does not deny or hide from pain or strong emotions, but learns to accept them without added meanings, as they are. The article provides a neurophysiological rationale for mindfulness’s practice. Scientific studies show that regular meditation practice has a very specific effect on neurophysiological processes. During meditation, there is an increase in activity and the formation of new neural connections in the middle of the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for the functions of emotional regulation, planning, conscious choice, and empathy. The processes of regulation of body functions are activated; special communication (reciprocity), which is an important ability of social intelligence; emotional balance and flexibility of responses, empathy, insight function, conscious regulation of perceived danger, and intuition based on the prefrontal cortex’s ability to process information. This data was confirmed by an increase in the activity of the prefrontal cortex. The good consequences of the practice were improvement of attention control, flexibility of emotional regulation, change of self-awareness. The application of self-awareness practices in psychotherapy practice, namely mindfulness-oriented cognitive therapy (MO-CBT), is considered. One of the important effects of the practice is the ability to recognize the moments of turning on triggers and preventing falling into the circle of rumination.

Effectiveness of 12 weeks of practice of heartfulness meditation on depression, anxiety, stress, and cognitive functions in Type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Regular practice of heartfulness meditation causes a balanced mental state and releases stress. Due to this action, meditation can improve the cognitive functions of individuals. Aims and Objectives: The study determines the effectiveness of 12 weeks of practice of heartfulness meditation on depression, anxiety, stress, and cognitive functions in Type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The study involved 40 patients with Type 2 diabetes including both males and females and age groups from 30 to 60 years. After recruiting, the participants were randomly divided into two groups with 20 participants in each group. All the participants of Group 1 were given training about practicing heartfulness meditation for initial 3 days. From then, they started practicing meditation under the supervision of experts from 6:30 to 7:30 am in the morning. Outcome measures were recorded by standard tools. Results: Significant decrease was observed in the depression, anxiety, and stress scores and significant improvement in spatial and verbal memory was observed. Conclusion: Heartfulness meditation practice has a positive impact on the management of psychological disorders and improving cognitive functions. There is a need for a detailed study.

Efficiency of Meditation Practice on Systolic Blood Pressure among Prehypertensive Women in India

The main purpose of the present study was to assess the efficiency of meditation practice on systolic blood pressure among pre-hypertensive women. Thirty women with pre-stage hypertension were randomly selected from Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Subjects’ age ranged from 25 to 30 years, and selected subjects were separated into two groups, one control group and another meditation group (15x15). The meditation group was engaged in a 6-week training program, and assessment was done weekly in 4 days for 40 minutes. Selected subjects were tested on systolic blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer. Results revealed that due to meditation practice systolic blood pressure was significantly improved. A significant change was recorded between the pre-test to post-test of the control group and treatment groups. The result shows that regular meditation practice was beneficial for pre-stage hypertensive women to reduce systolic blood pressure.

Immediate Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on the Voice

The benefits of mindfulness meditation are well documented. This study evaluated the immediate effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) on the voice and voice user. Prospective experimental study. Participants: 19 vocally healthy (VH) individuals, and 26 individuals with common voice disorders (CVD; benign lesions and hyperfunctional muscle tension) deemed stimulable for voice therapy. Exclusionary criteria: prior training or regular meditation practice. Participants recorded speech samples before and after a 11.5-minute prerecorded session of MM. phonatory aerodynamics and participants' self-reported experience of voice. self-reported anxiety, vocal acoustics, speech breathing patterns, and auditory-perceptual outcomes. Baseline self-reported measures of voice (Voice Handicap Index-10 - VHI-10), breathing (Dyspnea Index - DI), stress (Perceived Stress Scale - PSS), and trait mindfulness (Cognitive and Mindfulness Scale - Revised, CAMS-R, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire - FFMQ) were compared between groups. At baseline, CVD had significantly higher VHI-10 (P< 0.001) and DI (P= 0.0014), and lower trait mindfulness (CAMS-R, P= 0.02). No difference between groups for PSS or FFMQ. Changes postMM: decreased CPP for all-voiced sentences for VH (P= 0.003), decreased mean SPL (P= 0.012) on sustained vowel for VH, increased mean phonatory airflow during sustained vowel for CVD (P=0.012). VH demonstrated a decrease in CPP on the all-voice sentence, and CVD demonstrated an increase, resulting in a significant between group difference (P= 0.013). Participants reported improvements in voice, emotional and physical states. State anxiety decreased for both groups (= < 0.001). No other objective outcomes reached significance. After a brief MM, participants experienced improvement in physical, emotional, and cognitive states, and in their perceptions of their voice. Results indicate that a brief, single session of MM may be beneficial for some, but not sufficient to override habitual voice and speech patterns. Given the benefits of MM, future work should evaluate MM in a standard voice therapy protocol.

Conceptualising and measuring mindfulness during worship and prayer: Scale development and initial validation of the Mindfulness during Worship Scale (MWS)

ObjectiveTo propose a three-factor framework for conceptualising and measuring mindfulness during worship, and to develop and validate a new scale using existing scales of mindfulness and spirituality. MethodsA shortlist of scale items was developed and administered online to 521 Christians from the United Kingdom in three independent studies. ResultsThe studies confirmed a three-factor structure of the new 15-item Mindfulness during Worship Scale (MWS) with an overall internal reliability range of α = 0.81–0.87: a) concentration during worship, which contains reverse-scored items capturing the tendency for attention to slip towards unrelated activities during worship, b) presence during worship, which includes items relating to an increased awareness to thoughts and feelings as they relate to the engagement of worship, and c) absorption during worship, which includes items relating to an increased feeling of awareness and absorption in worship. Concurrent validity was confirmed, as the total MWS and subscale scores were positively associated with existing measures of mindfulness (FFMQ-15 and MAAS) and spirituality (ISS). Moreover, worship frequency predicted higher scores on all three MWS subscales, higher Scripture reading frequency predicted greater focus on religious thoughts during worship, and regular meditation practice was associated with a greater absorption during worship. The frequency of performing communal religious activities was not associated with mindfulness during worship. ConclusionsThe MWS is the first scale that measures mindfulness specifically within the context of worship and prayer, and can be used within any religious community that engages in prayers.

Impact of mindfulness meditation on perceived stress levels and subjective well-being among housewives

Mindfulness meditation is paying attention to the current moment with openness, curiosity and with full acceptance. Mindfulness in every day experiences is best strengthened and supported by a regular meditation practice. This review aimed to identify the impact of Mindfulness meditation on the different sections of the society. A systematic search strategy was conducted with through online databases-Medline , PubMed, SCOPUS,Embase,Goggle Scholar, Cochrane library. The grey literatures from relevant websites were also searched. The keywords were indentified and used to search the literature published from 2007-2020 in English. More than 50 papers published related to this area were reviewed. It was found that people to deal with plenty of psychological problems related to stress, burnout, and fatigue. Mindfulness helps them in having more awareness regarding their inner as compare to their outer and that would captivate their performance in every aspect. Many studies shows evidence – based implementation plan contributes in the psychological well being of students .Conclusion: Mindfulness interventions found very useful for reducing the psychological distress. Further implications include the MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction) potentially beneficial for oncology nursing intervention as they exposed to more stressful conditions.

Effects of Heartfulness Meditation Practices on Control of Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

Background:Progressive stress levels, aging and less care on mental health among adults lead to a decline in neurophysiological functioning and diminish the performance of working memory. Regular practice of meditation through Heartfulness will enhance mental health and thereby considerably reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s disease.Methods:This review article was carried out from the literature available on databases such as PubMed, MED-LINE, Web of Science and Research Gate until May 2020. A qualitative analysis of the impact of Heartfulness meditation on people with chronic insomnia, students of different age groups, Heartfulness meditation practitioners and caregivers were summarized.Results:From the survey results of selected 10 articles, it has been observed that the people who were practicing meditation through Heartfulness gain emotional wellness, joy, sound sleep pattern and reduction of stress, tension and anger. Moreover, the level of brain waves of the practitioners, especially alpha and delta activities in the brain were increased and there was a tremendous change in neuroplasticity among the practitioners.Conclusion:Regular practice of meditation through Heartfulness improves the cognitive ability of the practitioners, with improved neurophysiological functions and suppresses the risks of Alzheimer’s diseases.

Electrophysiological effects of mindfulness meditation in a concentration test

In this paper, we evaluate the effects of mindfulness meditation training in electrophysiological signals, recorded during a concentration task. Longitudinal experiments have been limited to the analysis of psychological scores through depression, anxiety, and stress state (DASS) surveys. Here, we present a longitudinal study, confronting DASS survey data with electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) signals. Twenty-five university student volunteers (mean age = 26, SD = 7, 9 male) attended a 25-h mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course, over a period of 8 weeks. There were four evaluation periods: pre/peri/post-course and a fourth follow-up, after 2 months. All three recorded biosignals presented congruent results, in line with the expected benefits of regular meditation practice. In average, EDA activity decreased throughout the course, -64.5%, whereas the mean heart rate displayed a small reduction, -5.8%, possibly as a result of an increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity. Prefrontal (AF3) cortical alpha activity, often associated with calm conditions, saw a very significant increase, 148.1%. Also, the number of stressed and anxious subjects showed a significant decrease, -92.9% and -85.7%, respectively. Easy to practice and within everyone's reach, this mindfulness meditation can be used proactively to prevent or enhance better quality of life. 25 volunteers attended a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course in 4 evaluation periods: Pre/Peri/Post-course and a fourth follow-up after two months. A Depression, Anxiety and Stress State (DASS) survey is completed in each period. Electrodermal Activity (EDA), Electrocardiography (ECG) and Electroencephalography (EEG) are also recorded and processed. By integrating self-reported surveys and electrophysiological recordings there is strong evidence of evolution in wellbeing. Mindfulness meditation can be used proactively to prevent or enhance better quality of life.