scholarly journals Determining the feasibility and effectiveness of brief online mindfulness training for rural medical students: a pilot study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jane Moore ◽  
Rita Barbour ◽  
Hanh Ngo ◽  
Craig Sinclair ◽  
Richard Chambers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Rigorous Research

Abstract Background We sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness training program, delivered online to medical students at a Rural Clinical School.Methods An 8-week online training program was delivered to penultimate-year medical students at an Australian Rural Clinical School during 2016. Using a mixed methods approach, we measured the frequency and duration of participants’ mindfulness meditation practice, and assessed changes in their perceived stress, self-compassion and compassion levels, as well as personal and professional attitudes and behaviours.Results 47 participants were recruited to the study. 50% of participants were practising mindfulness meditation at least weekly by the end of the 8-week program, and 32% reported practising at least weekly 4 months following completion of the intervention. There was a statistically significant reduction in participants’ perceived stress levels and a significant increase in self-compassion at 4-month follow-up. Participants reported insights about the personal and professional impact of mindfulness meditation training as well as barriers to practice.Conclusions The results provide preliminary evidence that online training in mindfulness meditation can be associated with reduced stress and increased self-compassion in rural medical students. More rigorous research is required to establish concrete measures of feasibility of a mindfulness meditation program.

scholarly journals Determining the feasibility and effectiveness of brief online mindfulness training for rural medical students: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jane Moore ◽  
Rita Barbour ◽  
Hanh Ngo ◽  
Craig Sinclair ◽  
Richard Chambers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Rigorous Research

Abstract Background We sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness training program, delivered online to medical students at a Rural Clinical School.Methods An 8-week online training program was delivered to penultimate-year medical students at an Australian Rural Clinical School during 2016. Using a mixed methods approach, we measured the frequency and duration of participants’ mindfulness meditation practice, and assessed changes in their perceived stress, self-compassion and compassion levels, as well as personal and professional attitudes and behaviours.Results 47 participants were recruited to the study. 50% of participants were practising mindfulness meditation at least weekly by the end of the 8-week program, and 32% reported practising at least weekly 4 months following completion of the intervention. There was a statistically significant reduction in participants’ perceived stress levels and a significant increase in self-compassion at 4-month follow-up. Participants reported insights about the personal and professional impact of mindfulness meditation training as well as barriers to practice.Conclusions The results provide preliminary evidence that online training in mindfulness meditation can be associated with reduced stress and increased self-compassion in rural medical students. More rigorous research is required to establish concrete measures of feasibility of a mindfulness meditation program.

scholarly journals The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia Mindfulness Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Sarah Moore ◽  
Rita Barbour ◽  
Hanh Ngo ◽  
Craig Sinclair ◽  
Richard Chambers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Professional Impact

Background: Medical students experience high levels of stress during their training. Literature suggests that mindfulness can reduce stress and increase self-compassion levels in medical students. Most mindfulness training programs are delivered face-to-face and require significant time commitments, which can be difficult to achieve for rurally-based students with heavy academic workloads.Aim: We sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness training program delivered online to medical students at a Rural Clinical School.Methods: An 8-week online training program was delivered to third year medical students at the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia in 2016.Using quantitative-qualitative mixed-methods approach, we measured the frequency and duration of the participants’ mindfulness meditation practice, and assessed changes in their perceived stress, self-compassion and compassion levels, as well as personal and professional attitudes and behaviours.Results: 47 students were recruited to the study. 50% of participants were practising at least weekly by the end of the 8-week program, and 32% of responding students reported practising at least weekly 6 months following the intervention. There was a statistically significant reduction in participants’ perceived stress levels and a significant increase in self-compassion at 6 month follow up. Participants reported qualitative insights about the personal and professional impact of mindfulness meditation training as well as barriers to practice.

scholarly journals Brief online mindfulness training for medical students: a randomized control study

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-41
Author(s):  
Sarah Moore ◽  
Denese Playford ◽  
Hanh Ngo ◽  
Rita Barbour ◽  
Kirsten Auret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Randomised Control Trial ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Study Engagement

BACKGROUNDMedical students experience high levels of stress during their training. Literature suggests that mindfulness can reduce stress and increase self-compassion levels in medical students. However, most mindfulness training programs are delivered face-to-face and require significant time commitments, which can be challenging for rurally-based students with heavy academic workloads and limited support networks. PURPOSETo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a brief online Mindfulness training program for medical students based in rural areas, with regards to reducing stress, increasing self-compassion, mindfulness and study engagement. METHODSThis is a non-registered randomised control trial. Participants included both urban and rural medical students from UWA, University of Notre Dame and the RCSWA from 2018-2020. Participants were randomised to the intervention group, an 8-week online mindfulness training program, or the control group. Using quantitative-qualitative mixed-methods approach, we measured the frequency, duration and quality of the participants mindfulness meditation practice, and assessed changes in their perceived stress, self-compassion, mindfulness and study engagement levels. Further, the intervention group recorded a weekly reflective journal documenting their experience of the program. RESULTS114 participants were recruited to the study. 61 were randomised to the intervention, and 53 to the control. Quantitative analysis of the frequency, duration and quality of mindfulness meditation practice and changes in stress, self-compassion, mindfulness and study engagement is currently being conducted. Preliminary qualitative results reveal that participants experienced increased self-awareness, more mindfulness of their day-to-day activities, improved emotional regulation and increased productivity, while also facing difficulties with making time for their mindfulness practice. CONCLUSIONWe anticipate that this study will demonstrate that an online mindfulness training program tailored to reach rurally located medical students is feasible and effective in modifying their stress levels and psychological wellbeing. 

scholarly journals Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Jeni Green ◽  
Christine Glissmann ◽  
Linda Larkey ◽  
Megan Puzia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Mean Differences

BACKGROUND College students experience high levels of stress. Mindfulness meditation delivered via a mobile app may be an appealing, efficacious way to reduce stress in college students. OBJECTIVE We aimed to test the initial efficacy and sustained effects of an 8-week mindfulness meditation mobile app—Calm—compared to a wait-list control on stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion in college students with elevated stress. We also explored the intervention’s effect on health behaviors (ie, sleep disturbance, alcohol consumption [binge drinking], physical activity, and healthy eating [fruit and vegetable consumption]) and the feasibility and acceptability of the app. METHODS This study was a randomized, wait-list, control trial with assessments at baseline, postintervention (8 weeks), and at follow-up (12 weeks). Participants were eligible if they were current full-time undergraduate students and (1) at least 18 years of age, (2) scored ≥14 points on the Perceived Stress Scale, (3) owned a smartphone, (4) were willing to download the Calm app, (5) were willing to be randomized, and (7) were able to read and understand English. Participants were asked to meditate using Calm at least 10 minutes per day. A P value ≤.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 88 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age (SD) was 20.41 (2.31) years for the intervention group and 21.85 (6.3) years for the control group. There were significant differences in all outcomes (stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion) between the intervention and control groups after adjustment for covariates postintervention (all P<.04). These effects persisted at follow-up (all P<.03), except for the nonreacting subscale of mindfulness (P=.08). There was a significant interaction between group and time factors in perceived stress (P=.002), mindfulness (P<.001), and self-compassion (P<.001). Bonferroni posthoc tests showed significant within-group mean differences for perceived stress in the intervention group (P<.001), while there were no significant within-group mean differences in the control group (all P>.19). Similar results were found for mindfulness and self-compassion. Effect sizes ranged from moderate (0.59) to large (1.24) across all outcomes. A significant group×time interaction in models of sleep disturbance was found, but no significant effects were found for other health behaviors. The majority of students in the intervention group reported that Calm was helpful to reduce stress and stated they would use Calm in the future. The majority were satisfied using Calm and likely to recommend it to other college students. The intervention group participated in meditation for an average of 38 minutes/week during the intervention and 20 minutes/week during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Calm is an effective modality to deliver mindfulness meditation in order to reduce stress and improve mindfulness and self-compassion in stressed college students. Our findings provide important information that can be applied to the design of future studies or mental health resources in university programs. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03891810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03891810

scholarly journals Mindfulness training reduces PTSD symptoms and other stress-related health outcomes in police officers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W Grupe ◽  
Chad McGehee ◽  
Chris Smith ◽  
Andrew Francis ◽  
Jeanette Mumford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

BACKGROUND. Police officers are exposed daily to high levels of organizational and operational stressors that have a negative impact on health and well-being outcomes. This population has elevated rates of cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide. Although there are few empirically supported effective stress reduction interventions in police officers, recent evidence suggests that an 8-week training program in mindfulness meditation, specifically tailored for this group, has promise in reducing perceived stress and improving stress-related physical and mental health outcomes including sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The primary aims of the current study were to 1) demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and adherence of a similar mindfulness training program in a new population of police officers; 2) replicate previously demonstrated improvements in perceived stress and stress-related health outcomes, and 3) provide novel evidence of hypothesized reductions in symptoms of PTSD.METHODS. We enrolled 30 sworn law enforcement personnel from a mid-sized, Midwestern U.S. police department in an 8-week, group-based mindfulness training program. We conducted in-person assessments immediately before and after the training program, consisting of self-report measures of perceived stress, sleep quality, physical and mental health symptoms, and burnout and the assessment of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other physical health measures. An abbreviated remote assessment at 5-month follow-up included self-report measures only.RESULTS. All 30 officers completed the 8-week program and both in-person assessments, with high rates of class attendance, substantial out-of-class practice time, and uniformly positive evaluations of the training program and instructors. Replicating previous studies, we identified post-training reductions in perceived organizational and operational stress, global sleep disturbances, anxiety, and burnout, with significant reductions in anxiety and perceived stress observed at 5-month follow-up. We also identified novel evidence for reduced PTSD hyperarousal symptoms that persisted at 5-month follow-up, and reduced re-experiencing PTSD symptoms at 5-month follow-up only. There was no evidence for changes in self-reported physical health symptoms or hs-CRP.CONCLUSIONS. Successful adaptation, delivery, and acceptance of this mindfulness-based intervention demonstrates the generalizability of mindfulness training across law enforcement populations. The replication of improved stress-related outcomes, and novel evidence for reduced PTSD symptoms, indicate important targets to be further investigated in larger, mechanistic, randomized controlled trials of mindfulness training in police officers.

scholarly journals Effects of mindfulness training on perceived stress, self-compassion, and self-reflection of primary care physicians: a mixed-methods study

BJGP Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen18X101621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman van Wietmarschen ◽  
Bram Tjaden ◽  
Marja van Vliet ◽  
Marieke Battjes-Fries ◽  
Miek Jong
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
High Workload ◽  
Compassion Scale

BackgroundPrimary care physicians are subjected to a high workload, which can lead to stress and a high incidence of burnout. A mindfulness training course was developed and implemented for primary care physicians to better cope with stress and improve job functioning.AimTo gain insight into the effects of the mindfulness training on perceived stress, self-compassion, and self-reflection of primary care physicians.Design & settingA pragmatic mixed-methods pre–post design in which physicians received 8 weeks of mindfulness training.MethodParticipants completed validated questionnaires on perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale [SCS]), and self-reflection (Groningen Reflection Ability Scale [GRAS]) before the training, directly after, and 6 months later. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants after the training and a content analysis was performed to gain in depth understanding of experiences.ResultsA total of 54 physicians participated in the study. PSS was reduced (mean difference [MD] -4.5, P<0.001), SCS improved (MD = 0.5, P<0.001), and GRAS improved (MD = 3.3, P<0.001), directly after the 8-week training compared with before training. Six months later, PSS was still reduced (MD = -2.9, P = 0.025) and SCS improved (MD = 0.7, P<0.001). GRAS did not remain significant (MD = 2.5, P = 0.120). Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: being more aware of their own feelings and thoughts; being better able to accept situations; experiencing more peacefulness; and having more openness to the self and others.ConclusionMindfulness training might be an effective approach for improving stress resilience, self-compassion, and self-reflection in primary care physicians.

scholarly journals Protocol for Research on a Model Focused on Mindfulness Training to Support Weight Management after Bariatric Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1739-1739
Author(s):  
Preciosa Martinez-Motta ◽  
Adriana Campa ◽  
Valerie George ◽  
Agustin Castellanos
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Intuitive Eating ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Bariatric Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Bariatric surgery has been proposed as a potential treatment for individuals who are severely obese. However, the literature indicates that 20–50% of bariatric patients, experience weight regain 18–24 months after surgery. In addition, some studies suggest that a large percentage of bariatric patients present with inability to respond appropriately to hunger and satiety cues and have difficulty dealing with stress. These factors might ultimately impact successful long-term weight management. Mindfulness meditation has been proposed as an approach that can reduce stress and increase awareness of physical sensations, such as hunger and satiety, while promoting increases in psychological flexibility. Based on these factors and research on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we developed a model: The Mindfulness Meditation/Acceptance and Commitment Approach (MMACT), to support successful weight management in bariatric patients. This study will evaluate the impact of a mindfulness training, based on the MMACT model, on the constructs of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and intuitive eating in adults post-bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that such intervention will increase mindfulness and psychological flexibility, which will lead to a decrease in perceived stress and an increase in intuitive eating. Methods Individuals 12 to 36 months post-bariatric surgery will be recruited to participate in a 6-session mindfulness training program. The training will take place in group settings of 8–10 participants (final n = 45) and outcome measurements will be assessed at three time points, baseline, six and ten weeks. Results The impact of the training on outcome measurements (i.e., mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and intuitive eating) will be evaluated through four validated questionnaires, the Short Form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and the Intuitive Eating Scale – 2. Conclusions Evaluation of the MMACT will provide further insight into what factors may impact perceived stress and intuitive eating in bariatric patients and determine the feasibility of mindfulness-based trainings in this population. Funding Sources C.V. Starr Scholarship.

scholarly journals Attachment Security and Self-compassion Priming Increase the Likelihood that First-time Engagers in Mindfulness Meditation Will Continue with Mindfulness Training

Mindfulness ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 642-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela C. Rowe ◽  
Laura Shepstone ◽  
Katherine B. Carnelley ◽  
Kate Cavanagh ◽  
Abigail Millings
Keyword(s):  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Attachment Security ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
First Time

scholarly journals A Six-Session Mindfulness-Based Training to Support Weight Management After Bariatric Surgery in Clients of Hispanic Origin

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1231-1231
Author(s):  
Motta Preciosa Martinez ◽  
Valerie George ◽  
Adriana Campa ◽  
Agustin Castellanos
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Intuitive Eating ◽  
Dispositional Mindfulness ◽  
Hispanic Origin ◽  
Bariatric Patients ◽  
Post Bariatric Surgery ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Objective: To understand more about the impact of mindfulness training on perceived stress levels, dispositional mindfulness, intuitive eating, and psychological flexibility.in bariatric patients of Hispanic origin, 12–36 months post-bariatric surgery. Background: Mindfulness meditation has been proposed as an approach to reduce stress and increase awareness of physical sensations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a six-session mindfulness-based training on dispositional mindfulness, perceived stress levels, intuitive eating, and psychological flexibility in bariatric patients of Hispanic origin 12–36 months post surgery. Methods The mindfulness group training was based on The Mindfulness Meditation/Acceptance Commitment Approach (MMACT) and focused on the following topics: mind body connection, stress management, intuitive eating, self-compassion, and acceptance & commitment. Participants were recruited from flyers posted in a private dietitian's practice and snowball sampling. Results For the first group, sixty potential participants were screened and seven (12%, 3 males and 4 females, mean age 50.6 ± 6, mean BMI 34.7 ± 6) agreed to participate. The mean scores at baseline, six, and ten weeks were: Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (80.1 ± 8, 84 ± 11, 83 ± 14), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (18 ± 8, 17 ± 10, 17 ± 11), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (0.4 ± 0.2, 0.4 ± 0.2, 0.3 ± 0.2), and Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (2.7 ± 0.3, 2.9 ± 0.4, 3.1 ± 0.5), this last one with significant difference (P &lt; 0.01) between baseline and week ten. Conclusions This research provides preliminary data on how mindfulness training may affect factors that influence weight stability post bariatric surgery in clients of Hispanic origin. Funding Sources None.

Follow-up evaluation of the Coaching for Life Skills online training program

2020 ◽  
pp. 174795412096407
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Turgeon ◽  
Martin Camiré ◽  
Scott Rathwell
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
School Sport ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
High School Sport

Coach education has been positioned as an important catalyst in enabling coaches to maximise the positive influence of high school sport on student-athlete development. The purpose of the study was to conduct a subsequent season follow-up evaluation, examining longer-term changes in coach-athlete relationship, coach interpersonal behaviours, and life skills teaching in coaches who completed the Coaching for Life Skills (CLS) online training program. A 2 × 2 prospective causal comparative design was used. Coaches ( n = 285) were asked to complete follow-up measures during the high school sport season that followed their completion of the trial. The response rate was 36.84%, with the final sample consisting of 64 participants. Data were analysed using independent sample t-tests. From baseline to subsequent season follow-up, scores for coach-athlete relationship and coach interpersonal behaviours significantly increased for the CLS group and significantly decreased for the comparison group. No significant differences in scores were found on life skills teaching from baseline to subsequent season follow-up. The results suggest that the intervention may have helped CLS group coaches remain consistent in their use of relational coaching behaviours.

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