scholarly journals Does practice quality mediate the relationship between practice time and outcome in mindfulness-based stress reduction?

Author(s):  
Simon Goldberg ◽  
Cara Knoeppel ◽  
Lisa Flook ◽  
Richard J Davidson

Interventions based on mindfulness meditation are increasingly common and evidence exists supporting their use. However, questions remain regarding treatment mechanisms accounting for beneficial effects. The current study examined one candidate mechanism – mindfulness practice quality – as a mediator of the link between practice time and outcome within mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Participants (n=96) completed measures of mindfulness and psychological symptoms at baseline and post-treatment. A weekly questionnaire assessed practice time and quality over the eight weeks of MBSR. Multilevel models accounted for nesting within participants, MBSR groups, and instructors. Results generally supported the reliability and validity of a weekly single-item practice quality measure. Greater practice time was associated with improved practice quality (r=.48). Increases in practice quality predicted improvements in self-report mindfulness and psychological symptoms (bs=.35, .30, and -.19, ps<.05,), but not behavioral mindfulness (b=-.02, p=.879). In multilevel mediation models, improved practice quality mediated the link between practice time and changes in self-report mindfulness, suggesting improved practice quality functions as a mechanism linking practice time and outcome in MBSR. Future research evaluating practice quality in clinical samples, in tandem with intensive sampling paradigms (e.g., experience sampling) and objective (behavioral, physiological) outcomes may be warranted.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donal G. MacCoon ◽  
Katherine A. MacLean ◽  
Richard J Davidson ◽  
Clifford Saron ◽  
Antoine Lutz

Background: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a secular form of meditation training. The vast majority of the extant literature investigating the health effects of mindfulness interventions relies on wait-list control comparisons. Previous studies have found that meditation training over several months is associated with improvements in cognitive control and attention.Methodology/Principal Findings: We used a visual continuous performance task (CPT) to test the effects of eight weeks of mindfulness training on sustained attention by comparing MBSR to the Health Enhancement Program (HEP), a structurally equivalent, active control condition in a randomized, longitudinal design (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01301105) focusing on a non-clinical population typical of MBSR participants. Researchers were blind to group assignment. 63 community participants were randomized to either MBSR (n = 31) or HEP (n = 32). CPT analyses were conducted on 29 MBSR participants and 25 HEP participants. We predicted that MBSR would improve visual discrimination ability and sustained attention over time on the CPT compared to HEP, with more home practice associated with greater improvements. Our hypotheses were not confirmed but we did find some evidence for improved visual discrimination similar to effects in partial replication of other research. Our study had sufficient power to demonstrate that intervention groups do not differ in their improvement over time in sustained attention performance. One of our primary predictions concerning the effects of intervention on attentional fatigue was significant but not interpretable.Conclusions: Attentional sensitivity is not affected by mindfulness practice as taught in MBSR, but it is unclear whether mindfulness might positively affect another aspect of attention, vigilance. These results also highlight the relevant procedural modifications required by future research to correctly investigate the role of sustained attention in similar samples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanyuan Kang ◽  
Shufang Sun ◽  
Zhuangqing Yang ◽  
Xinxin Fan ◽  
Jing Yuan ◽  
...  

Objective: To examine the efficacy and the role of engagement of an internet-based Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (iMBSR) for survivors of breast cancer (BC) during the COVID-19 period from January to March in 2020 in China.Methods: 48 survivors of BC were divided into the absentees group and the iMBSR groups according to their attending to the standardized, group-based, 8-week iMBSR. Based on practice time, survivors of BC in the iMBSR were categorized into three subgroups: group 1 (<30 min/day), group 2 (30–60 min/day), and group 3 (>60 min/day). In addition, participants were classified as partial attendees (<4 sessions) and completers (more than 4 sessions) of the iMBSR groups. All participants were evaluated for symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.Results: After an 8-week iMBSR practice, at mid-intervention and post-intervention, participants in iMBSR group had significant improvement in scores and reduction rates of depression, anxiety, and insomnia compared to absentees. Scores of depression and insomnia, reduction rates of depression at post-intervention, scores of anxiety, reduction rates of anxiety and insomnia at mid-intervention and post-intervention, had significant differences among subgroups of practice time. Daily practice time was positively related to reduction rates of depression, anxiety and insomnia at post-intervention in the iMBSR group.Conclusion: Internet-based MBSR showed efficacy in reducing psychological symptoms among survivors of BC. For survivors of BC, iMBSR practice has a potential dose–response efficacy, with a threshold of >30 min daily practice for most optimal symptoms reduction.Trial Registration: Registration number is [ChiCTR2100044309].


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Goldsmith ◽  
James I. Gerhart ◽  
Samantha A. Chesney ◽  
John W. Burns ◽  
Brighid Kleinman ◽  
...  

Mindfulness-based psychotherapies are associated with reductions in depression and anxiety. However, few studies address whether mindfulness-based approaches may benefit individuals with posttraumatic stress symptoms. The current pilot study explored whether group mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and negative trauma-related appraisals in 9 adult participants who reported trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress or depression. Participants completed 8 sessions of mindfulness-based stress reduction treatment, as well as pretreatment, midtreatment, and posttreatment assessments of psychological symptoms, acceptance of emotional experiences, and trauma appraisals. Posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and shame-based trauma appraisals were reduced over the 8-week period, whereas acceptance of emotional experiences increased. Participants’ self-reported amount of weekly mindfulness practice was related to increased acceptance of emotional experiences from pretreatment to posttreatment. Results support the utility of mindfulness-based therapies for posttraumatic stress symptoms and reinforce studies that highlight reducing shame and increasing acceptance as important elements of recovery from trauma.


Author(s):  
Majed A. Algarni ◽  
Mohammad S. Alzahrani ◽  
Yasser Alatawi ◽  
Raghad A. Alasmari ◽  
Hashem O. Alsaab ◽  
...  

In the first few months of the pandemic, Makkah region reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases among all regions in Saudi Arabia. More than 80% of these reported cases were non-Saudi residents. In this study, we evaluated the perceived threat from and psychological impact of COVID-19 among non-Saudi residents of Makkah region. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data collected using a standardized self-report questionnaire. A total of 292 expatriates were included in the study, the majority of whom were non-Arabic speakers. The prevalence of self-reported depression was nearly 40%, anxiety was 32%, and stress was 43%. The findings indicated variability in the prevalence of psychological symptoms among expatriates from different ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, work environment and perceived threat were strong predictors of psychological disorders. This suggested that the perceived threat from and psychological burden of COVID-19 among non-Saudis in Makkah region is substantial. Future research should investigate the reasons behind these variations in the psychological impact of the pandemic among different ethnic groups.


Mindfulness ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1905-1914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. McClintock ◽  
Roger Brown ◽  
Christopher L. Coe ◽  
Aleksandra Zgierska ◽  
Bruce Barrett

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Merkes

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured group program that uses mindfulness meditation to improve well-being and alleviate suffering. This article reviews the impact of MBSR for people with chronic diseases. The review includes original research that was published in English and peer-reviewed and reported outcomes for adults with chronic diseases who had participated in an MBSR program. Fifteen studies were identified. Outcomes related to mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The studies included different research designs, and used self-report and physiological outcome measures. Participants’ clinical diagnoses included fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and cardiovascular diagnoses. All 15 studies found that participation in an MBSR program resulted in improvements. No negative change was reported between baseline and follow up. Outcomes in regard to specific variables were difficult to compare and equivocal. Overall, positive change predominated. Chronic diseases are associated with a range of unwelcome psychological and physical consequences. Participation in an MBSR program is likely to result in coping better with symptoms, improved overall well-being and quality of life, and enhanced health outcomes. As an adjunct to standard care, MBSR has potential for much wider application in Australian primary care settings.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A35-A35
Author(s):  
Brant Hasler ◽  
Meredith Wallace ◽  
Jessica Graves ◽  
Sarah Pedersen

Abstract Introduction Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct with well-documented risk for substance use problems. A circadian preference towards eveningness has been linked to trait, global impulsivity. Here we extend existing literature by investigating whether eveningness is associated with multiple facets of impulsivity at both trait- and state-level impulsivity. We also examined these associations utilizing daily measures of sleep timing and duration. Methods The primary sample included 78 moderate-to-heavy social drinkers (aged 21–35, 100% White men) with circadian preference data (Composite Scale of Morningness: CSM). Five facets of impulsivity were assessed via the UPPS-P, both at baseline (full scale) and up to 6 times per day over 10 days (reduced scale). Daily sleep timing (midsleep) and duration were assessed via self-report over 10 days. Multilevel models were used to examine between- and within-person associations, accounting for covariates and correcting for multiple comparisons. Results Between-person models found that eveningness was associated with multiple facets of impulsivity, at trait (lack of perseverance) and state levels (negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of perseverance, and lack of premeditation). However, average midsleep and duration were generally unrelated to impulsivity when accounting for circadian preference. Within-person models in the primary sample largely paralleled the between-person findings. In a larger, more diverse sample (29.1% self-identified as Black, 29.7% female) without CSM data, later midsleep timing was associated with greater mean state-level impulsivity across multiple facets. These effects largely appear to be driven by White women. Conclusion A circadian preference for eveningness is strongly associated with multiple facets of impulsivity, at both trait- and state-levels, potentially increasing risk for substance use. This association does not appear to be driven by actual daily sleep timing and/or duration. Future research with objective measures of sleep in larger, more diverse samples will be important to clarify implications for sleep-focused prevention and/or treatment of substance use. Support (if any) Supported by grants from NIH (R01AA026249; K01 AA021135), as well as a Foundation Grant from ABMRF/The Foundation for Alcohol Research.


Author(s):  
Simon L. Whitesman ◽  
Michelle Hoogenhout ◽  
Linda Kantor ◽  
Katherine J. Leinberger ◽  
Anik Gevers

Background: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found to have significant health benefits in studies conducted in the global North.Aim: This study examined the effects of MBSR on stress, mood states and medical symptoms among urban South Africans to inform future research and clinical directions of MBSR in local settings.Setting: Participants completed an 8-week MBSR programme based in central Cape Town.Method: A retrospective analysis of 276 clinical records was conducted. Mindfulness, stress, negative and positive mood, medical symptoms and psychological symptoms were assessed before and after the intervention using self-report questionnaires. We compared pre and postintervention scores and examined the relationship between changes in mindfulness and changes in stress, mood and medical symptoms.Results: Mindfulness scores were significantly higher after intervention, both on the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Changes on the KIMS were associated with reductions in stress, negative mood, psychological symptoms and total medical symptoms, and improvement in positive mood. Changes in mindfulness, as measured by the MAAS, were significantly correlated only with reduced total number of medical symptoms.Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence for the positive health impact of MBSR on urban South Africans, and in turn acceptability and feasibility evidence for MBSR in South Africa and supports the case for larger trials in different local settings.


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