scholarly journals Feasibility and Outcomes of an Internet-Based Mindfulness Training Program: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. e33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Kvillemo ◽  
Yvonne Brandberg ◽  
Richard Bränström

Background Interventions based on meditation and mindfulness techniques have been shown to reduce stress and increase psychological well-being in a wide variety of populations. Self-administrated Internet-based mindfulness training programs have the potential to be a convenient, cost-effective, easily disseminated, and accessible alternative to group-based programs. Objective This randomized controlled pilot trial with 90 university students in Stockholm, Sweden, explored the feasibility, usability, acceptability, and outcomes of an 8-week Internet-based mindfulness training program. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n=46) or an active control condition (n=44). Intervention participants were invited to an Internet-based 8-week mindfulness program, and control participants were invited to an Internet-based 4-week expressive writing program. The programs were automated apart from weekly reminders via email. Main outcomes in pre- and postassessments were psychological well-being and depression symptoms. To assess the participant’s experiences, those completing the full programs were asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and 8 of the participants were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as content analysis, were performed. Results In the mindfulness program, 28 out of 46 students (60%) completed the first week and 18 out of 46 (39%) completed the full program. In the expressive writing program, 35 out of 44 students (80%) completed the first week and 31 out of 44 (70%) completed the full program. There was no statistically significantly stronger intervention effect for the mindfulness intervention compared to the active control intervention. Those completing the mindfulness group reported high satisfaction with the program. Most of those interviewed were satisfied with the layout and technique and with the support provided by the study coordinators. More frequent contact with study coordinators was suggested as a way to improve program adherence and completion. Most participants considered the program to be meaningful and helpful but also challenging. The flexibility in performing the exercises at a suitable time and place was appreciated. A major difficulty was, however, finding enough time to practice. Conclusions The program was usable, acceptable, and showed potential for increasing psychological well-being for those completing it. However, additional modification of the program might be needed to increase retention and compliance. ClinicalTrial ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02062762; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0206276 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6j9I5SGJ4)

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110570
Author(s):  
Ajilchi Bita ◽  
Mohebi Mahmoud ◽  
Zarei Sahar ◽  
Kisely Steve

Objectives Research has shown that mindfulness in athletes is associated with positive outcomes. We therefore assessed the effect of mindfulness training on increasing mental toughness (MT) and psychological well-being (PWB). Methods This was a parallel-group, pre-and post-test, randomised controlled pilot trial. Forty-five female athletes from Iranian universities in Tehran were randomly assigned into experimental ( n = 23) and control groups ( n = 22). Forty-two completed the trial. The mindfulness training group received the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment programme for 7 weeks. All subjects completed the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS), Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire and PWB Scale. Data were analysed using mixed analysis of variance. Results Mindfulness training increased mindfulness in the experimental group ( p < 0.01). In turn, increased mindfulness led to increased MT and PWB at 2-month follow-up ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Given that mindfulness training may increase the MT and PWB of athletes, these techniques should be considered for inclusion in sports coaching.


Challenges ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Tanja Sobko ◽  
Gavin T. L. Brown

Urbanized children today have fewer opportunities to interact with nature which may lead to a greater risk of mental health problems. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate which particular changes in connectedness to nature (CN) would improve psychological well-being (PW) in young children. Six hundred and thirty-nine preschoolers (52.0% boys, age 34.9 ± 9.5 months) participated in Play&Grow, an early environmental education intervention. Children’s CN and PW were evaluated by parents before and after the program with validated measures; the CNI-PPC (four factors) and the SDQ, Strength and Difficulties questionnaire (five factors), respectively. The effectiveness of the intervention on the primary outcomes (CN, PW) as well as the relationship between them was analyzed in a repeated measures path model with intervention status as a causal predictor. Specific CN factors consistently increased ProSocial behavior and reduced Hyperactivity and Emotional problems. In summary, this study showed that the previously reported impact shifted from the total CN score to the specific CN factors. The Play&Grow intervention positively increased children’s CN and improved some aspects of psychological well-being in children which is a preliminary evidence of developmental benefits of connecting young children with nature. Our results indicate promising direction of action for the improvement of families’ psychological health.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Wang ◽  
Jenny Gamble ◽  
Qiuxiang Zhang ◽  
Elizabeth Elder ◽  
Jyai Allen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:Undergoing an abortion is stressful. This protocol aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and primary effects of a complex intervention to promote positive coping behaviors and alleviating depression symptoms among Chinese women undergo abortion.Methods:A two-arm randomized controlled trial design will be used. Participants will be recruited at their first appointment with the abortion clinic, those who consent to participate will be randomly allocated to receive either the START intervention (in addition to standard abortion care) or standard care only. All participants will receive survey follow-up until six weeks post-abortion. Ethical has been granted by local and university ethics committees. This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship Discussion:Results will assist refinement and further evaluations of the START intervention, contribute to improved abortion care practices in China, and enrich the literature evidence on improving women’s psychological well-being following abortion in ChinaTrial registration: Registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials.gov: ChiCTR2100046101. Date of registration: May 4, 2021


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1.SP) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Masoumeh GHARIBBOLUK ◽  
Soghra HOSSEINZADEH

Objective: The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of Mindfulness Training on Quality of Perceptual Marital Relationship and Psychological Well-being of Women with Addicted Wife.Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest- posttest and 3 months follow up, with a control group. Among the population of Women with Addicted Wife, twenty Women with Addicted Wife (10 persons in experimental group, 10 persons in control group) were selected by purposeful sampling method and were assigned in experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 8 session (2 hours for each) of positive thinking training. For data collection, Fletcher Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship Scale and Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire were used.Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data. The results showed the Mindfulness Training was effective on the quality of marital relationship and psychological well-being among Women with Addicted Wife. Also, the training was effective in a 3 months follow up.Conclusion: Therefore, Mindfulness Training skills can be used in prevention actions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 938-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Zemestani ◽  
Sharmin Mozaffari

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depressive symptoms in physically disabled persons. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: State welfare organization in Kamyaran, Kurdistan, Iran. Participants: Fifty-two physically disabled participants with a primary diagnosis of depression were randomly assigned to either ACT or control groups. Interventions: Participants in the ACT group ( n = 23) received eight weekly 90-minute group sessions based on standard ACT protocol for depression. Participants in the control group ( n = 29) received psychoeducation regarding depression. Main measures: Measures were recorded at baseline, eight weeks (end of treatment), and 16 weeks (follow-up). The outcomes were the change in the depressive symptoms, measured by Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being measured by Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), respectively. Results: After eight weeks, significant changes in depressive symptoms was observed in the experimental group (ACT –10.39 ± 0.79 vs control 0.66 ± 0.68, P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the experimental group also showed significant improvement in psychological flexibility (ACT 8.13 ± 0.52 vs control –0.03 ± 0.51, P < 0.001), adaptive emotion regulation strategies (ACT 10.74 ± 0.62 vs control 0.03 ± 1.03, P < 0.001), and psychological well-being (ACT 66.95 ± 4.01 vs control –1.90 ± 1.04, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with control group, ACT significantly reduced the participants’ depression, and changed psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being in persons with physical disability.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Potter ◽  
Jessica E. Teng ◽  
Brittany Masteller ◽  
Caitlin Rajala ◽  
Laura B. Balzer

Dog owners are more physically active than non-dog owners, but evidence of a causal relationship between dog acquisition and increased physical activity is lacking. Such evidence could inform programs and policies that encourage responsible dog ownership. Randomized controlled trials are the ‘gold standard’ for determining causation, but they are prohibited in this area due to ethical concerns. In the BuddyStudy, we tested the feasibility of using dog fostering as a proxy for dog acquisition, which would allow ethical random assignment. In this single-arm trial, 11 participants fostered a rescue dog for six weeks. Physical activity and psychosocial data were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. At 6 weeks, mean change in steps/day was 1192.1 ± 2457.8. Mean changes on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale were −4.9 ± 8.7 and −0.8 ± 5.5, respectively. More than half of participants (55%) reported meeting someone new in their neighborhood because of their foster dog. Eight participants (73%) adopted their foster dog after the 6-week foster period; some maintained improvements in physical activity and well-being at 12 weeks. Given the demonstrated feasibility and preliminary findings of the BuddyStudy, a randomized trial of immediate versus delayed dog fostering is warranted.


2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tülin Gençöz ◽  
Yeşim Özlale ◽  
Randy Lennon

The aim of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of social support on psychological well-being. Social support was evaluated under two different categories which were named as Aid-Related and Appreciation-Related Socia+l Support. The first category was more related to potential for receiving help from others when needed, and being cared for by others, while the latter category was more related to being recognized by others as an efficient source of help and reassurance of worth. Undergraduate university students (N =342) served as subjects, and results revealed that aid-related social support and psychological well-being (i.e., alleviated depression symptoms) association was partially mediated by experiencing fewer life stresses. On the other hand, appreciation-related social support had a direct effect on psychological well-being. Implications of these results are discussed.


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