Effects of Breathing Meditation Training on Sustained Attention Level, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Level, and Mental State of Operating Room Nurses

Objectives: In this paper, we explore the effects of breathing meditation training on the sustained attention level, mindfulness attention awareness level, and mental state of nurses in the operating room. Methods: We enrolled 40 nurses from September 2019 to December 2019, and divided them into a control group (N=20) and an observation group (N=20) using a random number table. The control group received routine training, based on which the observation group received breathing meditation training. We compared their sustained attention index, fatigue score, mindfulness attention awareness score, mental state score, work stress score, career satisfaction score, and career happiness index. Results: After training, the sustained attention response time was shorter at 8:00 and 18:00 in the observation group than in the control group (p < .05). The physical fatigue score, mental fatigue score, reduced activity score, reduced motivation score, and overall fatigue score of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p < .05). The observation group had a higher mindfulness attention awareness score than did the control group (p < .05). The SAS and SDS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p < .05). The work stress score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, whereas the career satisfaction score and career happiness index were higher (p < .05). Conclusion: Breathing meditation training can improve the sustained attention level and mindfulness attention awareness level, reduce the feeling of fatigue and work stress, help adjust the mental state, and enhance the career satisfaction and career happiness of nurses in the operating room.

Stres Remaja: Kebutuhan Video Mindfulness-Breathing Meditation Untuk Mengurangi Stres Remaja

Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat stres remaja dan kebutuhan untuk mengembangkan video tutorial mindfulness-breathing meditation sebagai strategi dalam mengurangi stres remaja. Convenience sampling yang digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data pada 165 peserta didik. Alat ukur yang digunakan adalah perceived stress scale (PSS) dan studi kebutuhan video mindfulness-breathing meditation. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat stres remaja yang tinggi (27 dari skor total 40). Perempuan memiliki tingkat stres yang lebih tinggi daripada laki-laki (27,2 vs 26,6), persentase perempuan yang mengalami stres tingkat tinggi lebih banyak daripada laki-laki (54,1%vs 41,3%). Meskipun prevalensi stres sangat tinggi di kalangan remaja, sebagian besar peserta didik sangat minim memiliki paparan materi mengenai cara mengurangi stres (80,15%) serta mengenai latihan bernafas dengan baik. Peserta didik juga sangat antusias untuk mempelajari meditasi pernafasan melalui video (100%). Diketahui juga bahwa pengembangan video mindfulness-breathing meditation sangat penting untuk membantu peserta didik dalam mengurangi stres mereka. Kata Kunci: Stres, Remaja, Mindfulness, Breathing Meditation Abstract This research aims to determine the stress level of adolescents and the need to develop a mindfulness-breathing meditation video as a strategy to reduce adolescents’ stress. The convenience sampling was used to collect data form was 165 students. The measures are the perceived stress scale (PSS) and the needs of mindfulness-breathing meditation video. The results shows that the adolescent’ stress level is high (27 out of 40). Female has higher level stress than male (27,2 vs 26,6), the percentage of female who experience high level stress was outnumber male (54,1% vs 41,3%). Despite the high prevalence of stress among adolescent, most of students has minimum exposure to stress reduction (80,15%) as well as breathing exercises. All students enthusiastic to learn mindfulness-breathing meditation through video. It is recommended that development of mindfulness-breathing meditation video is crucial to help students in reducing their stress. Keywords: Stress, Adolescent, Mindfulness, Breathing Meditation

Aging in the Perspective of Integrative Medicine, Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology and Hormesis

: Aging has been considered a progressive decrease of a living organism’s homeodynamics, which indicates a reduction of psycho-biological resilience. This narrative review provides an overview of the available literature related to the holistic approach of integrative medicine, Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI) and hormesis in the aging process. On the basis of Pathophysiology of cell senescence and of chronic degenerative diseases, possible preventive/therapeutic pathways have been examined. Chronic low grade cellular inflammation and chronic stress have been shown as the general interlinked factors inducing aging, on the basis of complex biochemical, cell and multi-organ derangements. The main cell degenerative processes which have been related to aging are: altered mitochondria DNA/metabolism, excessive oxidative stress, glycation, alteration of autophagy and proteasome, and genome alterations. Literature about longevity-targeting interventions, beyond conventional medicine, describes a spectrum of possible measures to improve psycho-biological resilience, based on the PNEI paradigm, on hormesis and upon mitochondriatargeted interventions. Calorie restriction, exercising, fasting, nutraceuticals, sleep regulation, specific breathing, meditation and psychotherapy are discussed, among others.

Distress Tolerance, Distraction, and Mindfulness Matters

This chapter reviews distress tolerance and strategies for developing them in students. Distress tolerance skills were developed in dialectical behavior therapy, particularly relevant to students who have great amounts of difficulty modulating negative emotions. Although parents may be tempted to jump in with problem-solving for their teens, a better approach is to assist teens in developing the ability to tolerate distress. Modeling distress tolerance is one strategy, as is incorporating mindfulness into the family. Meditation is also discussed as a possibility for detaching from negative emotions. Exercises for breathing, meditation, mindful observation, and muscle relaxation are included. A case is discussed––an overwhelmed student whose parents consistently protected her from distress; subsequently, she self-medicated with marijuana and alcohol.

Impact of 12-Month Smartphone Breathing Meditation Program upon Systolic Blood Pressure among Non-Medicated Stage 1 Hypertensive Adults

(1) Background: Hypertension (HTN) affects ~50% of adults and is a major risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular disease. In 2017, the SPRINT trial outcomes led to lowering of HTN cutoffs by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA). The Joint National Committee (JNC8) and National High BP Education Program recommend that lifestyle modifications be used as first-line HTN treatment. Chronic stress is a risk factor for HTN and cardiovascular disease. A recently completed 12 month randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a breathing meditation smart phone app (Tension Tamer, TT) involving JNC8 designated pre-HTN adults provided an opportunity to examine its impact upon individuals now classified as having stage 1 HTN. The TT app captures continuous real-time heart rate (HR) from a user’s fingertip placed over a video camera lens during sessions. Users receive immediate feedback graphs after each session, showing their HR changes. They also receive motivational and social reinforcement SMS text messages the following day based upon levels of adherence. We conducted ancillary analyses of a 2-arm, 12-month, small-scale efficacy RCT among a subgroup of our total sample of participants, who are now classified as having stage 1 non-medicated systolic HTN. Primary outcome was change in resting systolic blood pressure (SBP). Secondary outcomes were change in resting diastolic blood pressure, adherence to the TT protocol, and perceived stress levels. (2) Methods: 30 adults (mean age: 45.0 years; 15 males; 16 White; 14 Black) with ACC/AHA 2017 defined systolic HTN (130–139 mmHg) on 3 consecutive sessions (mean SBP: 132.6 mmHg) were randomly assigned to TT or lifestyle education program delivered via smartphone (SPCTL). Each group received a twice-daily dosage schedule of TT or walking (month 1: 15 min; months 2 and 3: 10 min; months 4–12: 5 min). (3) Results: Mixed modeling results revealed a significant group x time effect for SBP (p<.01). The TT group showed greater SBP reductions at months 3 (−8.0 vs. −1.9), 6 (−10.0 vs. −0.7), and 12: (−11.6 vs. −0.4 mmHg; all p-values <0.04). (4) Conclusion: The TT app was beneficial in reducing SBP levels among adults with stage 1 systolic HTN. The TT app may be a promising, scalable first-line tactic for stage 1 HTN. Preparations are underway for an efficacy RCT involving uncontrolled stage 1 HTN patients.

Intensive training induces longitudinal changes in meditation state-related EEG oscillatory activity

The capacity to focus one's attention for an extended period of time can be increased through training in contemplative practices. However, the cognitive processes engaged during meditation that support trait changes in cognition are not well characterized. We conducted a longitudinal wait-list controlled study of intensive meditation training. Retreat participants practiced focused attention (FA) meditation techniques for three months during an initial retreat. Wait-list participants later undertook formally identical training during a second retreat. Dense-array scalp-recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) data were collected during 6 min of mindfulness of breathing meditation at three assessment points during each retreat. Second-order blind source separation, along with a novel semi-automatic artifact removal tool (SMART), was used for data preprocessing. We observed replicable reductions in meditative state-related beta-band power bilaterally over anteriocentral and posterior scalp regions. In addition, individual alpha frequency (IAF) decreased across both retreats and in direct relation to the amount of meditative practice. These findings provide evidence for replicable longitudinal changes in brain oscillatory activity during meditation and increase our understanding of the cortical processes engaged during meditation that may support long-term improvements in cognition.

LAYANAN KONLAYANAN KONSELING BERBASIS MEDITASI DZIKIR DALAM MENGURANGI STRES PADA GENERASI MILLENIALSELING BERBASIS MEDITASI DZIKIR DALAM MENGURANGI STRES PADA GENERASI MILLENIAL

Purpose of this article is to try to make an offer of counseling services by using breathing meditation which is included in spells in order to reduce the stress that is being experienced by the millennial generation today. This article uses research in the form of literature, by collecting several references related to meditation and stress, both in the form of journals and reference books. Stress is the gap between the demands of the environment and the ability of individuals to fulfill it in the form of both physical and spiritual, which results in stress that is currently mostly experienced by the millennial generation. The result of this article is to make an offer in the form of breathing meditation based counseling by using mantras in the form of prayer, by using rhythmic breathing to guide a person into a state of deep meditation or relaxed mental state. Meditation done regularly can reduce stress.