Use Of Mindfulness Meditation Research Articles

The (In)flexible self: Psychopathology, mindfulness, and neuroscience

Clinical and neuroscientific evidence indicates that transdiagnostic processes contribute to the generation and maintenance of psychopathological symptoms and disorders. Rigidity (inflexibility) appears a core feature of most transdiagnostic pathological processes. Decreasing rigidity may prove important to restore and maintain mental health. One of the primary domains in which rigidity and flexibility plays a role concerns the self. We adopt the pattern theory of self (PTS) for a working definition of self. This incorporates the pluralist view on self as constituted by multiple aspects or processes, understood to constitute a self-pattern, i.e. processes organized in non-linear dynamical relations across a number of time scales. The use of mindfulness meditation in the format of Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) has been developed over four decades in Clinical Psychology. MBIs are promising as evidence-based treatments, shown to be equivalent to gold-standard treatments and superior to specific active controls in several randomized controlled trials. Notably, MBIs have been shown to target transdiagnostic symptoms. Given the hypothesized central role of rigid, habitual self-patterns in psychopathology, PTS offers a useful frame to understand how mindfulness may be beneficial in decreasing inflexibility. We discuss the evidence that mindfulness can alter the psychological and behavioral expression of individual aspects of the self-pattern, as well as favour change in the self-pattern as a whole gestalt.We discuss neuroscientific research on how the phenomenology of the self (pattern) is reflected in associated cortical networks and meditation-related alterations in cortical networks. Creating a synergy between these two aspects can increase understanding of psychopathological processes and improve diagnostic and therapeutic options.

Analysis of the use of mindfulness meditation as therapy for chronic tinnitus

Analysis of the use of mindfulness meditation as therapy for chronic tinnitus

DEBATE: The inevitable decline of mindfulness.

The use of mindfulness meditation as a well-being and clinical tool is being deeply challenged on various fronts. The recent failure of showing its salutary effects on schoolchildren, in a large-scale study, which stands as the most expensive study in the history of meditation science (£6.4 million), is accompanied by growing evidence of potential adverse effects associated with mindfulness practice. It is suggested that the heightened enthusiasm surrounding the benefits of mindfulness led academics to use facile metaphors to promote it (such as comparing the mind to a muscle) and distorted its presentation - both in disseminating overhyped findings and in neglecting the report of adverse effects.

The impact of mindfulness meditation training and practice on post-graduate coaching students

This study aims to examine the insights and development of post-graduate trainee-coaches engaged in mindfulness meditation training and how mindfulness meditation contributed to their development and performance.Methods:Data were gathered from 67 trainee-coaches who undertook a 10-week program. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) measured pre-and post-training results. Opinions of the training and a daily diary log system to track the time each spent in mindfulness meditation practice were used to capture the impact of the training and each trainee’s contribution to the development of their own mindfulness. Ten hypotheses were proposed.Results:An increase in mindfulness in trainee-coaches was found for the majority (85 per cent) after the practice sessions. A large majority (78 per cent) were positive about the training and practice and had found it beneficial. Those with higher levels of mindfulness, and those whose mindfulness had improved, tended to have more favourable opinions of mindfulness, showing positive effects of practice in contrast to those with lower mindfulness. These and a positive relationship between increases in mindfulness during training and the days available spent practising mindfulness are the important findings. Three hypotheses were supported. These indicated higher FFMQ scores in the students’ mindfulness meditation after the training; relationships between trainees’ FFMQ pre- and post-test scores and available days spent practicing; and opinion of their mindfulness meditation practice and the days available spent practicing. Two other hypotheses were partially supported: Relationships between FFMQ pre- and post-scores and trainees’ opinions about their mindfulness meditation practice; and between FFMQ post- and pre-scores and trainee academic achievement on the academic module in which mindfulness meditation was taught and practised. Academic performance was less directly related to mindfulness meditation training and practice and there were no significant differences between males and females on measures relating to the training and practice.Discussion:Findings on increases in mindfulness, opinions of mindfulness practice and academic performance are explained or generally supported by the literature. Practical applications, limitations and further research are also covered. The importance of training is presented in terms of the development of insights and the mindfulness skills of attention, presence, empathy, self-regulation and non-judgement, the impact of which are fundamental in mindfulness coaching.Conclusion:Mindfulness meditation training of trainee-coaches complements and aids the development of professional and personal skills. The training offers opportunities for greater interpersonal insights, and the use of mindfulness meditation in coaching practice.

A Buddhist Context for Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation has been adopted by Western health practitioners from the Buddhist tradition of seeking spiritual enlightenment. Although general similarities between Individual Psychology (IP) and Buddhism have been noted, there has been no discussion of using meditation in IP interventions. There is, however, a long tradition of mindfulness meditation in Buddhism. It was first described by Siddhartha Gautama (later known as Buddha) in his first teaching after achieving enlightenment (c. 400 BCE). It was described at that time as a part of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The IP practitioner considering the use of mindfulness meditation will likely benefit from a knowledge of the context in which Buddha presented it originally and from an understanding of Buddhist strategies for enhancing mindfulness.

Mindfulness: utilização no manejo do estresse para profissionais de enfermagem

Objetivo: Identificar as evidências disponíveis acerca da utilização do Mindfulness por profissionais de enfermagem para redução do estresse. Método: Utilizou-se os pressupostos da revisão integrativa nas bases de dados National Library of Medicine e Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde. Utilizando-se de artigos disponíveis na íntegra, on-line, gratuitos, em português e inglês, dos anos de 2015 a 2019. Foram encontrados 349 artigos e selecionados 14, que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Resultados: Emergiram três categorias: fatores relacionados ao trabalho dos profissionais de enfermagem que levam ao desenvolvimento de estresse; os benefícios do Mindfulness na redução de estresse; os fatores que influenciam os profissionais de enfermagem quanto à adesão ao Mindfulness na sua prática profissional. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que os profissionais de enfermagem, após intervenção com o uso da meditação Mindfulness, apresentam resultados positivos para a redução do estresse, ansiedade e depressão.

“God is my doctor”: mindfulness meditation/prayer as a spiritual well-being coping strategy for Jamaican school principals to manage their work-related stress and anxiety

PurposeThis article explores Jamaican secondary school principals' use of mindfulness meditation as a spiritual well-being strategy to manage their work-related stress and anxiety.Design/methodology/approachThe author used qualitative semi-structured interviews to collect the data from 12 Jamaican secondary school principals working in schools supporting rural, urban and inner-city school communities. Thematic coding of the analyzed data was used to understand how principals deal with their work-related stress and anxiety.FindingsThe findings indicate that Jamaican school principals are experiencing work-related stress and anxiety as a result of work intensification, and use mindfulness meditation/prayer as a spiritual coping strategy. The data indicate that principals' primary source of support is their spiritual belief – faith in God and mindfulness meditation/prayer – when dealing with issues related to well-being.Originality/valueThis article explores the use of mindfulness meditation as a non-secular coping strategy, and focuses on an understudied area of educational administration research: Jamaican school principals' well-being. The findings can help inform future education and health policy around occupational health and well-being for professionals, and lay the foundation for greater studies on principal well-being in Jamaican and the Caribbean more generally.

Developing self-awareness using mindfulness meditation with preservice teachers: reflections on practice

ABSTRACTMindfulness offers a pathway for preservice teachers to develop self-awareness, which is an essential part of personal and professional growth. However, supporting teacher self-awareness is rarely given much attention in teacher education programs. The authors studied the use of mindfulness meditation in an early childhood college course with early childhood preservice teachers. This article reports the main findings that emerged from the students’ journals regarding the mindfulness meditation. Reflecting on the findings, this article suggests that educators need to provide meaningful learning experiences and activities, which could help their students develop the personal qualities necessary to teach with high self-confidence.

Mindfulness-Based Meditation Versus Progressive Relaxation Meditation: Impact on Chronic Pain in Older Female Patients With Diabetic Neuropathy

Chronic pain, the most common complication of diabetes, is treated with medication often to no avail. Our study aimed to compare the use of mindfulness meditation and progressive relaxation to reduce chronic pain in older females with diabetes. Methods The 105 study participants were divided randomly into 3 groups: Group MM (mindfulness meditation), Group CM (control meditation), and Group PM (progressive relaxation meditation). Assessment of analgesic effectiveness required changes in average daily pain Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) modified for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and Patient Global Impression of Change using descriptive statistics, Student’s t test, and analysis of variance where applicable. Results Both Groups MM and PM experienced significant (P < .05) reduction in average daily pain in last 24 hours at study end compared to baseline (28.7% and 39.7%, respectively). Group MM had more significant (P < .01) reduction of pain compared to control, a score of 5.2 ± 1.2 dropped to 3.0 ± 1.1 by week 12 of treatment. Groups MM and PM showed significant improvement in patients’ impression at study end, 75 ± 5.1% (n = 36) and 61 ± 6.5% (n = 32), respectively. In Group MM, patient satisfaction scores increased significantly (P < .05) to 3.8 ± 1.9 by week 12. Conclusion Integrative therapies such as mindfulness meditation can be part of a comprehensive pain management plan. Benefits include reduction of pain-related medication consumption, better treatment outcomes, improvement in comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as no risk of addiction or abuse.

A Study for the Use of Mindfulness Meditation in Transactional Analysis Counseling

A Study for the Use of Mindfulness Meditation in Transactional Analysis Counseling

Mindfulness meditation and physical activity: Evidence from 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

Physical activity is critical for health, yet only about half of the U.S. adult population meets basic aerobic physical activity recommendations and almost a third are inactive. Mindfulness meditation is gaining attention for its potential to facilitate health-promoting behavior and may address some limitations of existing interventions for physical activity. However, little evidence exists on mindfulness meditation and physical activity. This study assessed whether mindfulness meditation is uniquely associated with physical activity in a nationally representative sample. Cross-sectional data from the adult sample (N = 34,525) of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Logistic regression models tested whether past-year use of mindfulness meditation was associated with (a) inactivity and (b) meeting aerobic physical activity recommendations, after accounting for sociodemographics, another health-promoting behavior, and 2 other types of meditation. Data were weighted to represent the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized adult population. Accounting for covariates, U.S. adults who practiced mindfulness meditation in the past year were less likely to be inactive and more likely to meet physical activity recommendations. Mindfulness meditation showed stronger associations with these indices of physical activity than the 2 other types of meditation. These results suggest that mindfulness meditation specifically, beyond meditation in general, is associated with physical activity in U.S adults. Future research should test whether intervening with mindfulness meditation-either as an adjunctive component or on its own-helps to increase or maintain physical activity. (PsycINFO Database Record

Using Mindfulness for the Treatment of Insomnia.

The goal of this review is to provide an update on the use of mindfulness meditation for the treatment of insomnia, including conceptual models and empirical evidence from randomized controlled trials. A metacognitive model of insomnia has been proposed as a conceptual model to explain the application of mindfulness principles for reducing insomnia-related arousal. Furthermore, the evidence base for mindfulness-based therapies has grown with the results of several randomized controlled trials published in the past three years. Treatment effects appear to be strongest on self-report measures compared to objective measures of sleep. Treatment programs featuring mindfulness meditation appear to be viable treatment options for people with insomnia. Further research is needed to determine who is likely to benefit from mindfulness-based therapies and how these interventions work. Additionally, further work is needed to resolve issues related to the delivery and implementation of mindfulness-based therapies.

Cultivating multiple aspects of attention through mindfulness meditation accounts for psychological well-being through decreased rumination.

In the last few decades, mindfulness meditation has gained prominence as an adjunctive psychotherapeutic technique. In fact, a vast literature of controlled studies has found that mindfulness meditation is related to improved mental health across a variety of disorders. Elucidating the components involved in mindfulness meditation’s positive impact on psychological well-being is an important step in more precisely identifying the populations that would most benefit from its therapeutic utilization. Yet, a consensus regarding the particular underlying mechanisms that contribute to these outcomes is very much limited. There are many reasons for this, including the inconsistent operationalization and use of mindfulness meditation across research investigations. Despite the elusive mechanisms, many studies seem to indicate that cultivating different aspects of attention is a feasible, consistent, and parsimonious starting point bridging mindfulness practice and psychological well-being. Attention in itself is a complex construct. It comprises different networks, including alerting, orienting, and executive attention, and is also explained in terms of the way it is regulated. This paper supports a previously suggested idea that cultivating all aspects of attention through mindfulness meditation leads to greater psychological well-being through decreased ruminative processes. Ruminative processes are decreased by engaging in both focused and receptive attention, which foster the ability to distract and decenter.

Use of Mindfulness Meditation in the Management of Chronic Pain

Background. Chronic pain is a major health condition that has significant financial and lifestyle implications. Due to the complex etiologies of pain, it is difficult to find treatment modalities that would be universally applicable to the general population presenting for care. Mindfulness meditation is a complimentary treatment modality that has some preliminary, inconclusive evidence in support of its benefit on patients with chronic pain. Objectives. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the current literature for randomized controlled trials that assess the outcomes of mindfulness as an intervention for individuals with chronic pain. Methods. An electronic database search was performed for studies investigating the efficacy of mindfulness in treatment for chronic pain. The studies included were randomized controlled trials, published in English, from a peer-reviewed journal that identified mindfulness as the primary treatment focus for chronic pain in at least one group, and included participants with at least a 12-week history of symptoms. Results. The database search revealed 283 articles, of which 6 met the inclusion criteria. Conclusion. Mindfulness meditation appears to have minimal or statistically insignificant effects on chronic pain according to the current data. However, the effects of mindfulness on mental health scores are significant and may be an area for future trials to target. Well-conducted research is necessary before the effects of mindfulness on chronic pain can be definitively determined.

The effects of a mindfulness‐based stress reduction programme on pre‐sleep cognitive arousal and insomnia symptoms: a pilot study

AbstractThe use of mindfulness meditation for stress management has grown in recent years. Practising mindfulness meditation has been shown to help manage stress and decrease arousal, both of which are associated with difficulty sleeping; thus, mindfulness‐based stress management programmes may have a positive impact on sleep. The effects of an 8‐week mindfulness‐based stress management programme on pre‐sleep cognitive arousal and insomnia symptoms were examined. Sleep was assessed with self‐report measures and objectively with actigraphy. Results showed lower levels of pre‐sleep arousal and milder subjective insomnia symptoms post‐intervention. Longer duration of meditation practice in the final week was associated with greater decreases in cognitive arousal scores. No improvements were found in objectively measured sleep variables. The results of this study suggest that mindfulness‐based stress management can lead to improvements in cognitive arousal and self‐reports of sleep, even in the absence of objective evidence of sleep improvement. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Waking up to ourselves: The use of mindfulness meditation and emotional intelligence in the teaching of communications

AbstractCommunication concepts can be viewed as internal and external influences on our behavior that typically have an unconscious impact on us. Mindfulness meditation can help us become more aware of these influences as they occur moment to moment, allowing us to observe our emotional reactions to them and enabling us to break free of habitual patterns of behavior, thus broadening our communicative options in each moment of our lives.

Facing the Challenges of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation With Mindfulness Meditation: A Pilot Study

The hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) experience is emotionally and physically stressful for cancer patients who undergo this procedure. Mindfulness-based interventions have been studied in patients with various diagnoses, including cancer, although minimal work has applied this intervention to hospitalized patients. Use of mindfulness meditation has potential to provide HSCT patients with coping skills to deal with unpleasant symptoms and an uncertain future. This exploratory study examined feasibility, physiological arousal, and psychological and physical symptoms in HSCT patients participating in a mindfulness meditation intervention that begins before and continues throughout hospitalization and involves one-on-one guided sessions and daily practice using a 17-minute meditation CD. Of the 20 participants, 78.9% completed the intervention. Statistically significant decreases in heart and respiratory rates and improvements in symptoms immediately before and after each session were found. These findings demonstrate feasibility and preliminary support of a mindfulness meditation intervention with symptomatic, hospitalized cancer patients.

Mindfulness as a concept and a process

The use of mindfulness meditation as a therapeutic intervention has been strongly promoted in the last few years. To date there has been limited opportunity for open discussion and sharing of knowledge in relation to theory, practice or outcomes. The purpose of this paper was to provide psychologists with an understanding of the theoretical underpinning and evidence base for incorporating mindfulness practice into their lives and work. Primarily, mindfulness is presented as a cognitive style that facilitates development of a heightened sense of awareness of thought processes and emotions, and utilisation of this awareness to cultivate the ability to engage actively in being rather than reacting or doing. Further, it is noted that the learning of mindfulness meditation is believed to empower the individual to find release from depressive rumination, anxiety and stress in their lives. Current limitations, potential implications and contraindications of utilising mindfulness meditative practice are also discussed.

The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain.

Ninety chronic pain patients were trained in mindfulness meditation in a 10-week Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program. Statistically significant reductions were observed in measures of present-moment pain, negative body image, inhibition of activity by pain, symptoms, mood disturbance, and psychological symptomatology, including anxiety and depression. Pain-related drug utilization decreased and activity levels and feelings of self-esteem increased. Improvement appeared to be independent of gender, source of referral, and type of pain. A comparison group of pain patients did not show significant improvement on these measures after traditional treatment protocols. At follow-up, the improvements observed during the meditation training were maintained up to 15 months post-meditation training for all measures except present-moment pain. The majority of subjects reported continued high compliance with the meditation practice as part of their daily lives. The relationship of mindfulness meditation to other psychological methods for chronic pain control is discussed.