Mindfulness Training's Effect of Pain Outcomes in Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Athletic trainers frequently address and treat musculoskeletal pain (MSK). Complementary and alternative techniques for treating pain are becoming more widely accepted and utilized in clinical practice. Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) is a meditation-based program that is designed to help patients learn to feel things in a non-judgmental way. Previous systematic reviews on mindfulness training have focused a range of conditions including IBS, fibromyalgia, and migraines. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine if the literature supports the use of MBSR as an intervention for MSK pain. Methods: We completed a systematic review utilizing PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were English language, human subjects, peer reviewed, randomized controlled trial, mindfulness training as an intervention, and MSK pain as an outcome measure. An electronic search was conducted using the single phrase “mindfulness training and musculoskeletal pain”. PubMed, Cochran Database, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar were searched. Articles were first eliminated by title, and then by abstract contents. Remaining articles were given a full review and articles not meeting inclusion criteria were eliminated. Articles were assessed using the PEDRO scale with a cutoff score of 6 used to determine inclusion in the systematic review. Final analysis included 19 articles. Results: Study populations included patients diagnosed with cancer, nonspecific low back pain, chronic MSK pain, chronic tension headache, Gulf War illness, upper extremity injury, and one study employed healthy subjects and used experimentally induced pain. Intervention lengths ranged from single day to 10 weeks. Of the 19 studies in the analysis, nine of them indicated statistically significant results in favor of the meditation group for pain outcomes. Other studies noted improvement in the meditation group, but results did not reach statistically significant levels. Conclusion: MBSR has the potential to provide a beneficial effect in the treatment of MSK pain. The results of this systematic review indicate that the benefits of MBSR treatment may depend on the specific patient population and type of MSK pain. Further research is needed, but the systematic review suggests that MBSR may be an effective tool as part of a larger, complementary, and patient-centered care plan.

Using Heartfulness Meditation and Brainwave Entrainment to Improve Teenage Mental Wellbeing

Teenagers are highly susceptible to mental health issues and this problem has been exacerbated by the quarantine restrictions of COVID-19. This study evaluated the use of Heartfulness Meditation and Audio Brainwave Entrainment to help teenagers cope with mental health issues. It used 30-min Heartfulness meditation and 15-min brainwave entrainment sessions with binaural beats and isochronic tones three times a week for 4 weeks. Using a pretest-posttest methodology, participants were asked to complete a survey battery including the Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index, Perceived Stress Scale, Patient Health Question-9, Profile of Mood States, and Cambridge Brain Health assessment. Participants (n = 40) were divided into four experimental groups: the control group (n = 9), Audio Brainwave Entrainment group (n = 9), Heartfulness Meditation group (n = 10), and a combined group (n = 12), for a 4-week intervention. Data were analyzed with paired t-tests. The singular Audio Brainwave Entrainment group did not see statistically significant improvements, nor did any of the intervention groups for brain health (p > 0.05). This study, however, proved the efficacy of a 4-week Heartfulness Meditation program to regulate overall mood (p = 0.00132), stress levels (p = 0.0089), state depression (POMS; p = 0.0037), and anger (p = 0.002). Results also suggest adding Audio Brainwave Entrainment to Heartfulness Meditation may improve sleep quality (p = 0.0377) and stress levels (p = 0.00016).

Learning Motivation According to Cognitive Style (meditation–impulsiveness) and its relationship with performing some Skills in Artistic Skills in Gymnastics for Men

The research aimed at identifying the relationship between learning motivation according to cognitive style (meditation – impulsiveness) on skill performance in artistic gymnastics for men. The subjects were (240) second-year college of physical education and sport sciences college students for the academic year (2020 - 2021). Twenty students were selected for the pilot study, (90) students were divided into two groups (50) meditation and (40) impulsiveness a questionnaire was applied followed by artistic performance tests on three apparatuses; floor, vault, and rings. The results showed a significant correlation between learning motivation and learning artistic skills in men’s gymnastics for the impulsiveness group. In addition to that, the results showed a significant correlation between learning motivation and learning artistic skills in men’s gymnastics for the meditation group as well as no sign was found on the rings.

Race-Based Stress Reactions and Recovery: Pilot Testing a Racial Trauma Meditation

Twenty-six Black collegians were exposed to a vicarious racial harassment stimulus (VRHS) then randomized into a Black Lives Matter Meditation for Healing Racial Trauma condition or a silence control condition. Heart rate (HR) was recorded throughout the experiment. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted to elicit participants’ appraisal of the VRHS and meditation. Using a Qual:Quan mixed methods experimental design, this pilot study qualitatively categorized how participants (1) described their reactions to the VRHS and (2) appraised the meditation. Participants described three types of race-based stress reactions and reported mostly positive appraisal of the meditation, although some indicated that it would not be a preferred coping strategy. To triangulate the quantitative findings, we found a significant increase in HR during VRHS. The meditation group displayed statistically significant reductions in HR from stimulus to the end of meditation; however, there were no statistically significant differences between the control and meditation groups. Results have implications for understanding and facilitating race-based stress recovery.

EFFECTS OF YOGA AND MEDITATION ON BODY IMAGE OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS

The purpose of this study was to know the Effect of Yoga Meditation on Body Image of visually Impaired Children. For this research researcher has select 40 boys (n= 40) aging 13 to 15 years from Pragati Andha Vidyalaya, Badlapur, Dist. – Thane, Maharashtra. Researcher has used the non-equivalent group design, Group A, (Yoga Meditation group n = 20) treated as experimental group and Group B (Non-Yoga Meditation Group N = 20) treated as a control group. Research has conducted in three phase, Phase I (Pre- test), Phase II (Training for 6 weeks), Phase III (Post Test). To know the status of Body Image, Body Image Inventory by Dr. T. K. Bera (2018) has been used. After posttest Group A (experimental group) has gone through the Integrated Yoga Meditation Training for 6 weeks for 60 min. daily. Post Test has been conducted after the 6 weeks training. All the score were analysis with the help of One- Way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).

ROLE OF YOGA MEDITATION IN EXAMINATION ANXIETY OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILD

The purpose of this study was to know the Role of Yoga Meditation in Examination Anxiety of visually Impaired Children. For this research researcher has select 40 boys (n= 40) aging 13 to 15 years from Pragati Andha Vidyalaya, Badlapur, Dist. – Thane, Maharashtra. Researcher has used the non-equivalent group design, Group A, (Yoga Meditation group n = 20) treated as experimental group and Group B (Non-Yoga Meditation Group N = 20) treated as a control group. Research has conducted in three phase, Phase I (Pre-test), Phase II (Training for 6 weeks), Phase III (Post Test). To know the status of Examination Anxiety, Educational Anxiety Inventory by Dr. Vishal Sood and Dr, Arti Sharma (2012) has been used. After post test Group A (experimental group) has gone through the Integrated Yoga Meditation Training for 6 weeks for 60 min. daily. Post Test has been conducted after the 6 weeks training. All the score were analysis with the help of One-Way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).

Meditation Effective in Reducing Teacher Burnout and Improving Resilience: A Randomized Controlled Study

Teacher burnout affects job performance and mental and physical health. This study evaluated the effects of a meditation-based wellness program on burnout, resilience, psychological distress, and fatigue. Seventy-eight participants, randomly assigned to the Transcendental Meditation program (n = 39) or to a wait-list control group (n = 39), were administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System fatigue and depression scales at baseline and at four-month posttest. Intention-to-treat with all 78 participants was used for all analyses. Significant reduction on emotional exhaustion, the main scale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, was found for the meditation group compared to controls (p = 0.019). Significant improvements were also found on resilience (p = 0.014), perceived stress (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.001), and depression (p = 0.091). Eighty-seven percent were compliant with their meditation home practice. Findings indicate that meditation is effective in improving burnout and associated resilience, psychological distress, and fatigue factors. Teachers may benefit from in-school wellness programs.

Decrease of Functional Connectivity within the Default Mode Network by a Brief Training of Focused Attention on the Breath in Novices

Experienced meditators reduce the activity of the default mode network (DMN), a brain system preferentially active when people are not engaged in specific tasks. However, the neural modulation of the DMN in novices remain largely unexplored. By using electroencephalography, we investigated the DMN functional connectivity in two groups of novices: the meditation group practiced six consecutive days of focused attention on the breath; the control group practiced only on the first and last days. After the brief training, results showed a decrease in the DMN functional connectivity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex in theta and alpha bands during the focused attention condition, in the meditation group compared to the control group. The change in DMN functional connectivity was significantly correlated with the increase in state-level mindfulness scores. These data elucidate DMN modifications already arising at the initial stages of mindfulness meditation training in novices.HighlightsAn effect of brief meditation training on brain activity in novices was examined by using EEG.A six-day training of focused attention on the breath improved state-level mindfulness scores.Brief meditation training also reduced the functional connectivity within anterior-posterior DMN.The amount of change in DMN functional connectivity was significantly correlated with the subjective score.

The effect of meditation on depression, anxiety, and stress in university students

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of meditation on depression, anxiety, and stress levels of university students. Design and Methods: In the study, the data were collected using personal information form and Depression, anxiety, and stress scale. The meditation group performed a 20-minute attention and awareness meditation once a week for 8 weeks. Findings: As a result of the statistical analysis, it was observed that there was no significant difference in the comparison of the anxiety, stress, and depression levels between two groups at the end of 8 weeks. Practice Implications: Consequently, it was determined that meditation was an ineffective approach for reducing the anxiety, stress, and depression levels.

Meditation for Increased Mindfulness and Memory: An Analysis on the Impact of Meditation on Mindfulness and Working Memory Capacity in High School Students

70% of high school students see anxiety and depression as a “major problem” among their peers (Pew Research Center). Meditation decreases anxiety and stress according to Harvard researchers. Stress and memory are very much connected as a recent study concluded that non-stressed people remember more items on average than stressed people. Although several studies have been done on the impacts of meditation, there has been no research done specifically on the impact of meditation on high school students’ working memory. This study utilized a pre-post survey design and a running control group to determine whether mindfulness and working memory capacity increased as a result of a week of daily meditation. Students were randomly assigned to the mindfulness meditation group or to the running control group. Both groups took The Human Benchmark memory test and the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (a Likert scale) before and after a week of meditation or running. The results proved to be significant, showing that mindfulness increased on average by .8 points, while the control only increased by .03 points on average. In addition, memory test scores increased by 40.3% for the meditation group compared to 8.3% for the control group.