Mindfulness最新文献

Objective

While mindfulness meditation is an established practice for improving well-being, the physical environment for this activity awaits further exploration. This research aimed to explore how the physical environment facilitates mindfulness meditation and to establish a framework through Analysis of Means (ANOM) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The framework was intended to provide guidance for organisations and individuals to better design or modify physical space to support their mindfulness meditations.

Method

This study used methods to establish an initial research framework from the literature on mindfulness, architectural design, and environmental psychology. A survey of UK mindfulness practitioners was conducted in 2021–2022 to provide insights from a quantitative perspective. The data were analysed using ANOM and EFA to obtain a comprehensive framework based on the responses.

Results

Through a review of the literature and empirical study, nine physical factors with controllable elements were identified, ranked by their relative importance. Quietness, the use of supportive tools, and natural sounds were found to be the most important.

Conclusion

This research suggests the priority elements for groups and individuals to consider when adapting the physical environment for mindfulness meditation. The results revealed quietness as the most beneficial controllable element for its facilitation. Additionally, the use of supportive meditation tools was also important. Considering these top elements first could support practitioners' mindfulness meditation more effectively and efficiently.

Preregistration

This study was not preregistered.

Objectives

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated efficacy in psychological and physiological domains. However, there is a limited body of research on MBIs specifically for First Nations peoples. The current review aimed to systematically evaluate the status of culturally adapted MBIs, examining their effectiveness and feasibility when applied to First Nations peoples.

Method

A systematic review was performed to synthesise the data from 10 reports of nine studies, with a combined sample size of 125 participants.

Results

The MBIs demonstrated adherence to elements of cultural adaptation, encompassing the aspects of persons, metaphors, content, goals, and concepts in all included studies. Overall, the quantitative evidence measuring the effectiveness of the adapted interventions showed improvements in psychological, physiological, and mindfulness aspects, as well as cultural elements and satisfaction with the programmes. However, there were minor mixed results observed in psychological outcomes and mindfulness measures. The qualitative findings highlighted that MBIs, by aligning with First Nations’ holistic spiritual beliefs, facilitated a means to reconnect with cultural and social identity. The maximum number of participants in the programmes ranged from 1 to 34. Participants were recruited through local community organisations, youth correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, Indigenous educational institutes, schools, universities, and word-of-mouth promotion. The pooled retention rate was relatively high at 85.2%, indicating that participants generally remained engaged throughout the programmes.

Conclusions

MBIs appear adaptable, effective, and feasible for First Nations peoples, with consistently positive outcomes. Based on the findings of the current review, a model of culturally adapted MBIs is proposed.

Preregistration

PROSPERO (Reg, CRD42023413826).

Objectives

Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to have substantial therapeutic effects on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom severity, health-related quality of life, and psychological symptoms at 3 months following an 8-week group MT intervention. This study reports a secondary analysis to examine the long-term trajectory of change in these IBS symptoms.

Methods

This study analyzed 6- and 12-month follow-up data collected in a randomized controlled pilot study involving 75 adult women meeting Rome II criteria for IBS assigned to 8 weekly 2-hr sessions plus one half-day intensive of either a group mindfulness training (MT) or a validated IBS support group (SG). Outcome measures included the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), the IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) and Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) questionnaires, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 psychological distress measure. Measures were mailed to all participants who attended at least one treatment session. Analysis included mixed effects models comparing the trajectory of change over time between groups.

Results

At 6-month follow-up, MT patients had significantly lower mean IBS-SSS scores compared to SG patients (− 123.79 vs. − 51.82, respectively, p = 0.004). At 12-month follow-up, effects were attenuated, with IBS-SSS scores of − 88.93 (p = 0.001) for MT and − 33.63 (p = 0.158) for SG participants, with a clinically important between-group difference of 61 points (p = 0.107). VSI scores significantly improved at both 6- and 12-month follow-up compared to baseline, for the MT group only. Anxiety and depression significantly improved at 6 months, in the MT group only.

Conclusions

Beneficial effects of an 8-week MT program tailored for IBS persist for up to 12 months after the training.

Preregistration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00680693.

Objectives

Self-regulation practices, such as meditation, have been shown to influence neural and cardiac activities, which are critical for managing stress and emotions. However, most research focuses on these physiological subsystems independently, overlooking their interactions. This study sought to address this gap by investigating the relationship between brain and heart dynamics during meditation and cognitive tasks in novice meditators, providing insights that could guide future interventions for emotion and stress regulation

Method

Using recordings of electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG), we assessed transient relationships between the alpha neural band and heart rate during an arithmetic task and a breath-focused meditation in a sample of 20 young participants (10 women, age range 20–29 years) with no prior experience in meditation practices

Results

In terms of the relationship between alpha frequency and heart rate, the arithmetic task exhibited cross-frequency ratios of smaller magnitude compared to the breath-focused meditation. Furthermore, during the arithmetic task, a higher incidence of the specific 8:1 cross-frequency relationship was evident, which is proposed to enable cross-frequency coupling among neural and cardiac rhythms during a state of heightened cognitive effort. Heart rate and alpha frequency were also significantly higher during the arithmetic task, compared to the breath-focused meditation condition. The changes in cross-frequency relationships were primarily driven by changes in heart rate between the two tasks, as indicated through surrogate data analyses.

Conclusions

Our results provide novel evidence that stress responses and physiological changes during meditation practices can be better characterized by integrating physiological markers and, more crucially, their interactions. Together, this physiologically integrative approach can aid in guiding interventions such as physiological modulation protocols (biofeedback and neurofeedback) for regulation of emotion and stress.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.

Objectives

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to be beneficial for young adults with adverse childhood experiences (ACE), but the temporal course of the therapeutic effects is still not well understood. This study aimed to investigate MBI-induced weekly changes and long-term effects in trait mindfulness and psychological symptoms.

Method

This study analyzed longitudinal data from a mechanistic clinical trial in which young adults (aged 21–35) with ACE were randomized to an 8-week MBI or an active control condition of Stress Management Education (SME), with 21 and 19 completers, respectively. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Kellner’s Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ) were administered before, after, and weekly during the 8-week interventions, and at 6-, 12-, and 18-months follow-up. Data analyses were conducted with linear mixed effects models, Granger causality, and dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM).

Results

Group by time interaction effects were observed with PSS, MAAS, KSQ-depression, KSQ-hostility, and KSQ-anxiety with small effect sizes. Only in the MBI group, increases of MAAS scores predicted reductions of PSS, KSQ-somatization, and KSQ-hostility scores. MAAS score reached significant increase at the end of MBI, and most MBI-induced symptom reduction lasted 12 months without refresher courses.

Conclusions

MBI demonstrated unique effects of trait mindfulness improvement leading to psychological symptom reductions. At least 8 weeks of MBI program duration and refreshment at 12 months may be necessary for ACE survivors.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought substantial mental health challenges as well as significant changes in the delivery of clinical care and interventions, such as switching from traditional face-to-face to online mode. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and the course experience of a video-conferencing mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) with that delivered face-to-face.

Method

Schoolteachers (N = 170) were randomly assigned to face-to-face group (n = 94) and video-conferencing group (n = 76) for an 8-week MBI. The schoolteachers’ well-being, including psychological distress, insomnia, perceived stress, mindfulness, positive and negative affect, and life satisfaction, was measured before and after the MBI. Attendance, treatment fidelity, home practice compliance, and program acceptability were collected after the MBI. Qualitative feedback from the two groups was also collected to explore the differences in participants’ subjective experiences.

Results

Both face-to-face and video-conferencing formats of MBI resulted in better general mental health, more positive affect, and higher life satisfaction, as well as significantly lower levels of insomnia, stress, and negative affect. Observed improvement was comparable between face-to-face and video-conferencing MBI. The two groups also showed comparable adherence, intervention fidelity, and program acceptability. Qualitative results showed that while video-conferencing MBI might be weaker in group process, it provided better accessibility for participants.

Conclusions

This study supported the effectiveness and feasibility of video-conferencing MBIs, which are highly accessible for teachers in need of mental health support. Further research exploring enhancements to the group process in video-conferencing MBIs may further improve the effectiveness of online programs.

Preregistration

This study is not pre-registered.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the efficacy of different electronic devices (VR headsets and tablet devices) supported mindfulness exercises. Contrary to previous studies, we compared the technologies not only regarding psychological but also physiological parameters. Additionally, we assessed time perception as an indicator of flow state, which can increase therapeutic adherence.

Method

Fifty volunteers (26 females and 24 males) aged 19–28 years (M = 23, SD = 1.93 years) participated in our cross-over trial. A 20-min mindfulness program (Guided Meditation VR™) was shown on both a VR headset and a tablet device, with a 1-week interval in randomized order. Psychological parameters and time perception were assessed through surveys, and an Empatica E4 wristband collected physiological data (heart rate, body temperature, electrodermal activity).

Results

Both VR- and tablet-based mindfulness programs reduced stress, as reflected by improvements in both anxiety (a 7.06-point reduction in STAI-Y score, p < 0.001) and in-session physiological parameters (a 4.82 bpm reduction in HR, p < 0.001; 1.11 °C increase in body temperature, p < 0.001), without significant differences between the two devices. However, participants perceived the intervention as shorter than its actual time only in the VR condition (VR: 26 shorter, 9 longer out of 47, p = 0.006; tablet: 20 shorter, 14 longer out of 47, p = 0.39).

Conclusions

While affirming the efficacy of electronic device-supported mindfulness in stress reduction, our study suggests no significant disparity between VR and tablet-supported exercises. Our findings also suggest that participants in the VR session perceived the intervention as shorter than its actual duration.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.

Construal Level Theory (CLT) is a well-established, comprehensive framework that provides an account of the relationship between construal level and psychological distance, and the effects they have on cognitive processing and a wide range of phenomena. In this article we present a conceptualization of mindfulness based on the theoretical foundations of CLT. In light of mindfulness definitions and current research, it is difficult to determine whether mindfulness entails low psychological distance and concrete, non-conceptual representations of experience, or high psychological distance and abstract representations. We argue that mindfulness uniquely combines both. The two-dimensional model we present posits that mindfulness is characterized by a simultaneous decreased psychological distance from external sensory experiences and increased psychological distance from internal mental experiences. We highlight the uniqueness of this quality of mindfulness, and demonstrate how the formulation presented here not only aligns well with but also integrates research on mindfulness as a state of consciousness as well as a personality disposition. We further argue that this combination underlies the beneficial effects of mindfulness and delineate how it enables individuals to leverage the advantages and mitigate the drawbacks associated with both high and low levels of construal and psychological distance. The proposed two-dimensional model resolves contradictions in the literature, aiming to deepen our understanding of mindfulness, its benefits, and core mechanisms.

Objectives

Firefighters are at heightened risk for chronic occupational stress and exposure to potentially traumatic events. Experiencing potentially traumatic events is a risk factor for various psychiatric symptoms among firefighters, notably posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of yoga to reduce PTSD symptoms, negative affect, and trait anxiety in firefighters.

Methods

A total of 108 trauma-exposed career firefighters (99% male; M_age = 34.55, SD = 8.37) were enrolled in a single-arm 8-week yoga intervention, termed Mind–Body Tactical Training (MBTT). Feasibility was assessed in five domains. Self-report measures were used to evaluate the MBTT intervention’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of PTSD, negative affect, and trait anxiety. The Intervention Appropriateness Measure was employed to assess acceptability. Attrition, attendance, and intervention costs were used to determine demand, implementation, and practicality, respectively.

Results

Total PTSD (p < 0.001, d = 0.426), negative affect (p = 0.029, d = 0.242), and trait anxiety (p < 0.001, d = 0.327) decreased from pre- to post-intervention. Improvements in trait anxiety were also observed from pre-intervention to follow-up (p = 0.032). The intervention was generally acceptable to participants, had a 6.48% attrition rate, and had an 80.73 ± 18.96% class attendance. The cost of instructors and equipment totaled US$6636.78, equating to a cost per participant per attended class of US$4.76.

Conclusions

The current study provides initial evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of yoga as a transdiagnostic treatment for firefighters.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.