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Keywords = mindfulness/meditation

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16 pages, 570 KiB  
Review
Do Academic Libraries Contribute to Students’ and Communities’ Wellbeing?: A Scoping Review
by Shivani Suresh, David Lim, Kanchana Ekanayake and Amit Arora
Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020179 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 249
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Academic libraries offer a range of activities and initiatives for their students and community users. However, wellbeing, as a concept in academic libraries, is not very well defined and is poorly understood. The objective of this scoping review was to examine [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Academic libraries offer a range of activities and initiatives for their students and community users. However, wellbeing, as a concept in academic libraries, is not very well defined and is poorly understood. The objective of this scoping review was to examine the role of academic libraries in student and community wellbeing, identify the various kinds of activities and initiatives that they carry out to address their wellbeing, and uncover gaps that might require further research. Methods: An extensive search was conducted in the Library Information Sciences Association (LISA), Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC), Medline (OVID), Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Grey literature was searched on a selection of library websites and digital repositories. Data were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Themes were identified by the authors and reported as a narrative summary. Results: Of the 5437 records identified, a total of 40 documents were included in this scoping review. The authors identified 11 different kinds of activities and initiatives carried out in academic libraries that promote student and community wellbeing, i.e., (1) animal-assisted activities; (2) facilitating dialogues about belonging and identity; (3) fun recreational activities; (4) study support; (5) physical activity promotion; (6) meditation, yoga, and mindfulness; (7) book clubs; (8) art exhibitions; (9) technology and digital support; (10) free food and tea; and (11) health awareness. These activities were found to promote the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of student and community users. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for further systematic research on the long-term effects of wellbeing initiatives and activities on both student and community users, and how they might impact aspects of wellbeing for specific population groups such as senior citizens and LGBTQIA members. This scoping review demonstrates the potential of academic libraries in promoting health and wellbeing for their users. Full article
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18 pages, 581 KiB  
Review
Self-Compassion Intervention Programs for Nurses: A Scoping Review
by Jing Bian, Fazhan Chen, Shihan Fang and Yanbo Wang
Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020177 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 313
Abstract
Background: Nurses frequently face various sources of stress in the workplace, making self-compassion interventions crucial for promoting their mental well-being. This scoping review aims to: (a) identify self-compassion intervention programs implemented within the nursing population; and (b) analyze the content and outcome [...] Read more.
Background: Nurses frequently face various sources of stress in the workplace, making self-compassion interventions crucial for promoting their mental well-being. This scoping review aims to: (a) identify self-compassion intervention programs implemented within the nursing population; and (b) analyze the content and outcome measures of these interventions. Methods: The study follows Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework and adheres to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Relevant literature on self-compassion interventions for nurses published between January 2010 and May 2024 was systematically reviewed. Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library, using MeSH terms and free-text keywords such as “self-compassion”, “self-kindness”, “self-appreciation”, “self-worth”, “self-forgiveness”, “self-awareness”, “nurses”, and “nursing”. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Self-compassion interventions were categorized into two types: (1) mindfulness-focused programs, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Care and Resiliency (MSCR), which treat self-compassion as a potential outcome; and (2) self-compassion-focused programs, including Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM). Conclusions: The mental health challenges faced by nurses have drawn growing attention, underscoring the importance of self-compassion interventions. This review examines empirical studies within the nursing population, contributing to the development of more targeted and effective strategies to enhance the mental health and well-being of nursing professionals. Full article
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13 pages, 246 KiB  
Article
Hesychasm and Sufism—A Comparison Between Jesus Prayer and Dhikr
by Eiji Hisamatsu
Religions 2024, 15(12), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121556 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 727
Abstract
The comparison between Hesychasm and Sufism focuses on their respective mystical practices: the Jesus Prayer in Hesychasm and Dhikr in Sufism. Both traditions emphasize withdrawing from worldly distractions to achieve spiritual purity and communion with the divine. In Hesychasm, practitioners use the Jesus [...] Read more.
The comparison between Hesychasm and Sufism focuses on their respective mystical practices: the Jesus Prayer in Hesychasm and Dhikr in Sufism. Both traditions emphasize withdrawing from worldly distractions to achieve spiritual purity and communion with the divine. In Hesychasm, practitioners use the Jesus Prayer to attain inner stillness and experience divine light, aiming for a state of contemplation where the mind is enveloped in spiritual radiance. Similarly, Sufism’s Dhikr involves a repetitive invocation of Allah’s name to achieve spiritual awareness and unity with God, promoting inner tranquility and protection from negative influences. Both practices stress the continuity of prayer and the progression from vocal to mental recitation, fostering deep spiritual states. Despite theological and doctrinal differences, both traditions share a universal quest for mystical union and emphasize the transformative power of spiritual practice in achieving a direct connection with the divine. These practices continue to shape spiritual life in their respective religious contexts, illustrating common themes of seeking spiritual enlightenment through disciplined meditation and prayer. Full article
44 pages, 709 KiB  
Article
Yang Shi’s Confucian Quiet-Sitting Meditation: A Distinction from Cheng Yi and Huayan Buddhism
by Bin Song
Religions 2024, 15(12), 1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121537 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 780
Abstract
Yang Shi initiated the Neo-Confucian methodology of self-cultivation centered on quiet-sitting, and focusing on Yang Shi may shift the study of Confucian quiet-sitting to a more chronologically appropriate “beginning-forward” approach. Incorporating techniques such as breathing and calming the mind, Yang’s approach to self-cultivation [...] Read more.
Yang Shi initiated the Neo-Confucian methodology of self-cultivation centered on quiet-sitting, and focusing on Yang Shi may shift the study of Confucian quiet-sitting to a more chronologically appropriate “beginning-forward” approach. Incorporating techniques such as breathing and calming the mind, Yang’s approach to self-cultivation follows a model of returning to the state of centrality through quiet-sitting, and then preserving and expanding that state in moments of everyday life. This model is based on a moral psychology and metaphysics that views the comprehensive pattern-principle of the universe, Tianli, as fully manifest in the vital state of the human heartmind achievable through the practice of quiet-sitting. This view inherits major features of Cheng Hao’s philosophy while distinguishing itself from Cheng Yi’s. Yang Shi’s reflections on the differences between Confucian and Buddhist contemplative practices also indicate, despite his view being closer to the Huayan Buddhist metaphysical perspective of perfect fusion between pattern-principle and things compared to Cheng Yi, an insistence on characterizing his quiet-sitting philosophy as distinctively Confucian. Full article
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29 pages, 2128 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of Meditation Techniques in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by David W. Orme-Johnson, Vernon A. Barnes, Brian Rees, Jean Tobin and Kenneth G. Walton
Medicina 2024, 60(12), 2050; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122050 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 3547
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition worldwide. The limited effectiveness of current psychological and pharmacological treatments has motivated studies on meditation techniques. This study is a comprehensive, multiple-treatments meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of different categories of meditation [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition worldwide. The limited effectiveness of current psychological and pharmacological treatments has motivated studies on meditation techniques. This study is a comprehensive, multiple-treatments meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of different categories of meditation in treating PTSD. Methods and Materials: We followed Prisma guidelines in our published protocol to search major databases and to conduct a meta-analysis of the studies. Results: We located 61 studies with 3440 subjects and divided them logically into four treatment groups: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR, 13 studies); Mindfulness-Based Other techniques (MBO, 16 studies), Transcendental Meditation (TM, 18 studies), and Other Meditations that were neither mindfulness nor TM (OM, 14 studies). Trauma populations included war veterans, war refugees, earthquake and tsunami victims, female survivors of interpersonal violence, clinical nurses, male and female prison inmates, and traumatized students. Of those offered, 86% were willing to try meditation. The baseline characteristics of subjects were similar across meditation categories: mean age = 52.2 years, range 29–75; sample size = 55.4, range 5–249; % males = 65.1%, range 0–100; and maximum study duration = 13.2 weeks, range 1–48. There were no significant differences between treatment categories on strength of research design nor evidence of publication bias. The pooled mean effect sizes in Hedges’s g for the four categories were MBSR = −0.52, MBO = −0.66, OM = −0.63, and TM = −1.13. There were no appreciable differences in the study characteristics of research conducted on different meditations in terms of the types of study populations included, outcome measures, control conditions, gender, or length of time between the intervention and assessment of PTSD. TM’s effect was significantly larger than for each of the other categories, which did not differ from each other. No study reported serious side effects. Conclusions: All categories of meditation studied were helpful in mitigating symptoms of PTSD. TM produced clinically significant reductions in PTSD in all trauma groups. We recommend a multisite Phase 3 clinical trial to test TM’s efficacy compared with standard treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transcendental Meditation and Treatment for Stress)
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10 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Compassion Training on Stress and Anxiety: A Pre-Experimental Study on Nursing Students
by Andrés Gutiérrez-Carmona, Marta González-Pérez, María Dolores Ruiz-Fernández, Angela María Ortega-Galán and Diego Henríquez
Nurs. Rep. 2024, 14(4), 3667-3676; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14040268 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 702
Abstract
Background: Stress and anxiety are common problems among nursing students, affecting their mental health and academic performance. Compassion training has been shown to be effective in reducing these states. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of a compassion-based course on perceived stress and [...] Read more.
Background: Stress and anxiety are common problems among nursing students, affecting their mental health and academic performance. Compassion training has been shown to be effective in reducing these states. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of a compassion-based course on perceived stress and anxiety (state and trait) among nursing students at a state university in Chile. Methods: A pre-experimental design was implemented with 45 second-year students, who completed evaluations before and after the intervention. The course included 10 sessions involving compassion meditation, mindfulness, self-compassion exercises, and autonomous practice. Results: The results showed significant reductions in and a high effect size regarding perceived stress (Cohen’s d = 0.83) and state anxiety (Cohen’s d = 0.74), while trait anxiety showed a moderate reduction (Cohen’s d = 0.34). Mediation analysis revealed that increases in self-compassion mediated the relationship between autonomous practice time and reductions in stress and trait anxiety. Conclusions: These findings suggest that compassion training is an effective strategy for reducing stress and anxiety in nursing students, improving their emotional regulation and preparation for professional practice. Therefore, it is necessary to include this approach in students’ curricular programs. Full article
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20 pages, 1685 KiB  
Article
Meditation-Induced Self-Boundary Flexibility and Prosociality: A MEG and Behavioral Measures Study
by Yoav Schweitzer, Fynn-Mathis Trautwein, Yair Dor-Ziderman, Ohad Nave, Jonathan David, Stephen Fulder and Aviva Berkovich-Ohana
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121181 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 779
Abstract
Background: In the last decade, empirical studies on the beneficial effects of meditation on prosocial capacities have accumulated, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Buddhist sources state that liberating oneself from a fixed view of the self by gaining access to its transitory [...] Read more.
Background: In the last decade, empirical studies on the beneficial effects of meditation on prosocial capacities have accumulated, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Buddhist sources state that liberating oneself from a fixed view of the self by gaining access to its transitory and malleable nature leads to increased compassion and other prosocial traits. These, however, have not yet been empirically tested. Methods: The current study aims at filling this gap by first examining whether 44 long term meditators differ from 53 controls in prosocial capacities on different levels of the socio-cognitive hierarchy, and second by examining whether these are associated with meditation-induced ‘selfless’ states, operationalized here as the sense of boundary (SB) flexibility. We capitalize on our previous work on the neurophenomenology of mindfulness-induced SB dissolution, which yielded a neural index of SB-flexibility, solely for the meditators, and examine its correlations with a battery of validated behavioral prosociality tasks. Results: Our findings reveal enhanced low-level prosocial processes in meditators, including enhanced emotion recognition and reduced outgroup bias. We show the stability of SB flexibility over a year, demonstrating consistent high beta deactivation. The neural index of SB flexibility negatively correlates with recognizing negative emotions, suggesting a link to reduced social threat perception. Conclusions: These results connect the neural correlates of SB flexibility to prosociality, supported by stable high beta deactivations. We expect the results to raise awareness regarding the prosocial potential of flexing one’s self-boundaries through meditation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cognitive, Social and Affective Neuroscience)
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27 pages, 955 KiB  
Review
Interoceptive Ability and Emotion Regulation in Mind–Body Interventions: An Integrative Review
by Alessandro Lazzarelli, Francesca Scafuto, Cristiano Crescentini, Alessio Matiz, Graziella Orrù, Rebecca Ciacchini, Gaspare Alfì, Angelo Gemignani and Ciro Conversano
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111107 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1614
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that interoceptive ability, the capacity to detect, interpret, and consciously integrate signals related to the physiological condition of the body, is central to emotion experience and regulation. Interoceptive ability can be trained and improved through mind–body interventions. This article [...] Read more.
It is increasingly recognized that interoceptive ability, the capacity to detect, interpret, and consciously integrate signals related to the physiological condition of the body, is central to emotion experience and regulation. Interoceptive ability can be trained and improved through mind–body interventions. This article attempts to provide an integrative review of the link between interoceptive ability and emotion regulation in mind–body interventions. To this aim, (1) we address the constructs of interoceptive ability and mind–body interventions in relation to the double pathway of emotion regulation, and (2) we include a review of selected empirical and qualitative studies. These show that mindfulness meditation affects the brain–body axis through top-down processing, improving both interoceptive ability and emotion regulation. Interventions based on bottom-up processing through body movement and emotional expression are illustrated, but it is argued that they are still under-investigated. In light of the literature reviewed, we contend that interoceptive ability is a crucial aspect associated with the effects of mind–body interventions on emotion regulation. Additionally, we suggest that if studied through both quantitative and qualitative methods, interoceptive ability may serve as a general construct that allows a more integrated view of the polarities related to the spectrum of embodied experience: top-down and bottom-up emotion processing, observational and non-observational body awareness, conscious and unconscious level of interoception. Full article
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20 pages, 806 KiB  
Article
Modern Postural Yoga, Meditation, and Spiritual Seeking: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and “Moving Meditation”
by Masayuki Ito
Religions 2024, 15(11), 1399; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15111399 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1058
Abstract
This study focuses on yoga as part of contemporary spiritual culture (CSC) and examines the relationship between modern yoga and meditation. First, I investigate the purpose of practice and the position of meditation in classical yoga and hatha yoga; I clarify that classical [...] Read more.
This study focuses on yoga as part of contemporary spiritual culture (CSC) and examines the relationship between modern yoga and meditation. First, I investigate the purpose of practice and the position of meditation in classical yoga and hatha yoga; I clarify that classical yoga aims to stop the fluctuations of the mind by subduing physical activity, while hatha yoga aims to activate energy by working on the body, which is a microcosm of the universe. Next, I explore the characteristics of modern postural yoga (MPY, which was established in the early 20th century) and how it differs from traditional yoga. Based on the above discussion, I examine ashtanga vinyasa yoga (AVY), a major school of MPY that has greatly influenced many other forms of yoga. I point out several interpretive frameworks for a series of physical practices in ashtanga yoga (within the same school of yoga). While the Indian tradition views asanas (physical postures) as preparation for meditation, the Western counterculture-influenced yoga that developed after the late 1960s views asanas as a microcosm of life, as a search for spirituality, and as “moving meditation”. Full article
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24 pages, 710 KiB  
Review
Psychological Interventions for Insomnia in Patients with Cancer: A Scoping Review
by Alyssa Alinda Gonzalez, Gladys Janice Jimenez-Torres, Aline Rozman de Moraes, Yimin Geng, Varsha Pawate, Rida Khan, Santhosshi Narayanan and Sriram Yennurajalingam
Cancers 2024, 16(22), 3850; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16223850 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1217
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Insomnia is a frequent and distressing symptom with limited treatment in patients with cancer. Among the available treatments for insomnia, psychological interventions are some of the most assessed. While studies and reviews show promise of interventions improving insomnia in patients with cancer, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Insomnia is a frequent and distressing symptom with limited treatment in patients with cancer. Among the available treatments for insomnia, psychological interventions are some of the most assessed. While studies and reviews show promise of interventions improving insomnia in patients with cancer, inconsistent approaches to operationalizing and measuring insomnia combined with the heterogeneity of available treatments render comparisons and synthetization difficult. This review sought to rigorously synthesize psychological interventions for patients with cancer and insomnia by describing current therapies, identifying gaps in the literature, and offering supportive interventions. Methods: A comprehensive search of five databases—Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid PsycInfo, EBSCO CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Cochrane Library—was conducted through 1 August 2024. The review included randomized trials and non-inferiority trials evaluating psychological interventions for patients with various types of cancers. Twenty-one studies were included, and study quality ranged from good to excellent, according to the PEDro scale. Results: The current evidence supports the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat insomnia over and above psychoeducation alone, mindfulness-based stress reduction, Brief Behavioral Therapy, the Benson Relaxation Technique, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness meditation, mind-body bridging, and home-based psychological nursing. Digital, minimal, and internet-based intervention modalities are effective, though professional-delivered CBT proved most effective. Conclusions: CBT remains the most effective psychological intervention for insomnia in this population. Challenges exist regarding the implementation of CBT, so further research is warranted to identify the best psychological interventions for specific settings and subsets of patients with cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life)
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21 pages, 1186 KiB  
Systematic Review
Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review
by Andrea Calderone, Desirée Latella, Federica Impellizzeri, Paolo de Pasquale, Fausto Famà, Angelo Quartarone and Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
Biomedicines 2024, 12(11), 2613; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12112613 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 10711
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Meditation and mindfulness, rooted in ancient traditions, enhance mental well-being by cultivating awareness and emotional control. It has been shown to induce neuroplasticity, increase cortical thickness, reduce amygdala reactivity, and improve brain connectivity and neurotransmitter levels, leading to improved emotional [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Meditation and mindfulness, rooted in ancient traditions, enhance mental well-being by cultivating awareness and emotional control. It has been shown to induce neuroplasticity, increase cortical thickness, reduce amygdala reactivity, and improve brain connectivity and neurotransmitter levels, leading to improved emotional regulation, cognitive function, and stress resilience. This systematic review will synthesize research on neurobiological changes associated with mindfulness and meditation practices. Materials and Methods: Studies were identified from an online search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases without any search time range. This review has been registered on Open OSF (n) GV2JY. Results: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) enhances brain regions related to emotional processing and sensory perception, improves psychological outcomes like anxiety and depression, and exhibits unique mechanisms of pain reduction compared to placebo. Conclusions: This review highlights that mindfulness, particularly through MBSR, improves emotional regulation and brain structure, reduces anxiety, and enhances stress resilience. Future research should focus on diverse populations and naturalistic settings to better understand and optimize these benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience)
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15 pages, 371 KiB  
Article
About Distress in Chronic Pain Conditions: A Pre–Post Study on the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Fibromyalgia and Low Back Pain Patients
by Rebecca Ciacchini, Ciro Conversano, Graziella Orrù, Francesca Scafuto, Silvia Sabbatini, Mery Paroli, Mario Miniati, Alessio Matiz, Angelo Gemignani and Cristiano Crescentini
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(11), 1507; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111507 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1205
Abstract
Chronic pain (CP) affects about 30% of the global population and poses significant challenges to individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. The interactions between physiological, psychological, and social factors are crucial in the onset and development of CP conditions. This study aimed to evaluate [...] Read more.
Chronic pain (CP) affects about 30% of the global population and poses significant challenges to individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. The interactions between physiological, psychological, and social factors are crucial in the onset and development of CP conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention, examining its impact on perceived stress (PSS), depression and anxiety (BDI-II, PGWBI/DEP, SAS, STAI Y), sleep quality (PSQI), and mindfulness abilities (MAAS) in individuals with CP. Participants (N = 89, 84.3% female) underwent one of two diagnoses [fibromyalgia (FM) or low back pain (LBP)] and took part in an MBSR intervention. The mindfulness program proved effective in reducing PSQI scores (F = 11.97; p < 0.01) over time, independently of the type of diagnosis. There was also a marginal increase in trait mindfulness as measured by MAAS (F = 3.25; p = 0.07) in both groups. A significant difference between the two groups was found for the effect on PSS: F (1,87) = 6.46; p < 0.05. Mindfulness practice also reduced anxiety in FM and depressive symptoms in LBP, indicating a reduction in psychological distress among participants. Our findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may offer promising avenues for personalized pain management in clinical settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)
13 pages, 511 KiB  
Article
Helping Educators Learn Pediatric Pain Assessment and Intervention Needs Program (HELP PAIN): Program Development with Community Partners
by Natoshia R. Cunningham, Michelle Adler, Jocelyn Zuckerman, Mallet R. Reid, Sarah C. Love, Kelly Theaker, Steven J. Pierce, Rachel Vandenbrink, Jeanne Paque, Andrea L. Wendling and Judith Arnetz
Children 2024, 11(11), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111318 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 900
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This paper details the development of the Helping Educators Learn Pediatric Pain Assessment and Intervention Needs (HELP PAIN) program. Methods: HELP PAIN is an 8 h live training program for school providers (e.g., school nurses and social workers) to use evidence-based nonpharmacologic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This paper details the development of the Helping Educators Learn Pediatric Pain Assessment and Intervention Needs (HELP PAIN) program. Methods: HELP PAIN is an 8 h live training program for school providers (e.g., school nurses and social workers) to use evidence-based nonpharmacologic pediatric pain management tools. The program’s scope reflected the reach of the participating intermediary community organizations, resulting in focused training in rural northwest Michigan due to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s service in that region and statewide reach due to the broad representation of members from the Michigan Association of School Nurses. Results: We describe the development of the HELP PAIN program, drawing on evidence-based nonpharmacologic (e.g., cognitive behavioral and mindfulness meditation) strategies for pediatric pain management. Conclusions: In partnership with the key community organizations and community partners, we developed, interactively refined, and delivered this training program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices for School-Age Children)
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14 pages, 1432 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Subjective Well-Being in Taiwanese University Students Through an Eight-Week Mindfulness-Based Program: A Pilot Study
by Li-Jen Lin, Su-Ping Yu, Yu-Hsun Lin and Yi-Lang Chen
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14110980 - 22 Oct 2024
Viewed by 927
Abstract
While mindfulness has demonstrated extensive benefits across diverse populations, research on its integration as a formal course and its effects on subjective well-being (SWB), particularly among Taiwanese university students, remains limited. This pilot study examined changes in SWB among 85 Taiwanese university students [...] Read more.
While mindfulness has demonstrated extensive benefits across diverse populations, research on its integration as a formal course and its effects on subjective well-being (SWB), particularly among Taiwanese university students, remains limited. This pilot study examined changes in SWB among 85 Taiwanese university students (61 males, 24 females) following an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) course. Participants included 38 lower-grade (pre-internship) and 47 senior (post-internship) students. SWB was measured using the 29-item Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), rated on a 6-point Likert scale, and administered before and after the intervention. Results revealed a significant increase in students’ overall SWB scores from 3.69 to 3.92 post-intervention. Although females initially exhibited higher baseline SWB compared to males, no significant sex differences were observed after the course. Score discrepancies between pre- and post-test stages varied across sex and internship status, indicating differential impacts of the MBCT-L course on distinct demographic groups. Additionally, this study validated the reliability of the short version of the OHQ (8 items) for use in similar research contexts. By conducting a formal MBCT-L course for Taiwanese university students, this study provides valuable empirical evidence, contributing to the cross-cultural understanding of mindfulness-based interventions and their effects on SWB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wellbeing and Mental Health among Students)
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15 pages, 947 KiB  
Article
Changes in Trait Mindfulness after a Brief Mindfulness Training Program of Self-Breathing
by Momoe Sakagami, Tomoe Yokono, Hansani Madushika Abeywickrama, Nao Seki, Michio Miyasaka and Mieko Uchiyama
Healthcare 2024, 12(20), 2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12202019 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 752
Abstract
Background: Developing and cultivating mindfulness exerts a positive effect on psychological and cognitive performance. Sharpening the skill requires continuous mindfulness-based training (MT), which can be challenging for people leading busy lives. Therefore, the current study examined whether trait mindfulness can be improved by [...] Read more.
Background: Developing and cultivating mindfulness exerts a positive effect on psychological and cognitive performance. Sharpening the skill requires continuous mindfulness-based training (MT), which can be challenging for people leading busy lives. Therefore, the current study examined whether trait mindfulness can be improved by a flexible and brief MT program of self-breathing using a pre–post intervention design. Methods: Trait mindfulness was assessed using the Japanese version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before the intervention (pre), after 2 weeks (during), and 4 weeks after the intervention started (post). Data were analyzed using the Friedman test followed by the Dunn–Bonferroni correction. Results: The study sample consisted of 22 healthy participants aged from 20 to 60 years with no previous experience with yoga or meditation equivalent to MT. The mean number of days of MT practice was 26.4, and 11 participants had interruptions. The median values of pre-, during-, and post-total FFMQ scores were 115.5, 123, and 129, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the total pre and post (p < 0.001) and during and post (p = 0.002) FFMQ scores, though a medium effect was found (r = 0.30) only between the pre and post scores. Of the five sub-scales of FFMQ, significant differences were observed only between pre and post Observing (p = 0.01), Nonreactivity (p < 0.001), and Describing (p = 0.01), and during and post Nonjudging (p = 0.016), and Nonreactivity (p = 0.025). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the simple, brief, and flexible self-breathing method employed in this study has a substantial effect on fostering trait mindfulness and, therefore, can be adopted by people with hectic daily schedules. Full article
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