Browsing by Subject "Mindfulness"
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Item Advanced Meditation Alters Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity Correlating With Improved Mindfulness(Frontiers Media, 2021-11) Vishnubhotla, Ramana V.; Radhakrishnan, Rupa; Kveraga, Kestas; Deardorff, Rachael; Ram, Chithra; Pawale, Dhanashri; Wu, Yu-Chien; Renschler, Janelle; Subramaniam, Balachundhar; Sadhasivam, Senthilkumar; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, School of MedicinePurpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an intensive 8-day Samyama meditation program on the brain functional connectivity using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Methods: Thirteen Samyama program participants (meditators) and 4 controls underwent fMRI brain scans before and after the 8-day residential meditation program. Subjects underwent fMRI with a blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast at rest and during focused breathing. Changes in network connectivity before and after Samyama program were evaluated. In addition, validated psychological metrics were correlated with changes in functional connectivity. Results: Meditators showed significantly increased network connectivity between the salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN) after the Samyama program (p < 0.01). Increased connectivity within the SN correlated with an improvement in self-reported mindfulness scores (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Samyama, an intensive silent meditation program, favorably increased the resting-state functional connectivity between the salience and default mode networks. During focused breath watching, meditators had lower intra-network connectivity in specific networks. Furthermore, increased intra-network connectivity correlated with improved self-reported mindfulness after Samyama.Item Clay Work as a Mindfulness-Based Practice(2019) Vespini, Sarah; Leigh, HeatherThis single subject study sought to explore the potential connection between Clay Work and components of mindfulness using the State Mindfulness Scale for Clay Work (SMS-CW). The study was done by an art therapy graduate student, who was the sole participant of the three week-long study. The researcher was not kept to a time limit when working with clay, and after every session completed the SMS-CW. It was hypothesized that the researcher’s self-reported scores on the SMS-CW taken after working with clay would show a connection between Clay Work and the components of mindfulness measured by this instrument. Key finding indicated the potential for Clay Work to promote similar benefits as mindfulness based practices.Item Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Fatigue in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials(Elsevier, 2021-04) Johns, Shelley A.; Tarver, Will L.; Secinti, Ekin; Mosher, Catherine E.; Stutz, Patrick V.; Carnahan, Jennifer L.; Talib, Tasneem L.; Shanahan, Mackenzie L.; Faidley, Micah T.; Kidwell, Kelley M.; Rand, Kevin L.; Psychology, School of ScienceThis systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in improving fatigue-related outcomes in adult cancer survivors. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases and reference lists of included studies. Separate random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for fatigue and vitality/vigor. Twenty-three studies reporting on 21 RCTs (N=2,239) met inclusion criteria. MBIs significantly reduced fatigue compared to controls at post-intervention (g=0.60, 95% CI [0.36, 0.83]) and first follow-up (g=0.42, 95% CI [0.20, 0.64]). Likewise, MBIs significantly improved vitality/vigor at post-intervention (g=0.39, 95% CI [0.25, 0.52]) and first follow-up (g=0.35, 95% CI [0.03, 0.67]). The evidence grade was low due to risk of bias, substantial heterogeneity, and publication bias among studies. MBIs show promise in improving fatigue and vitality/vigor in cancer survivors. More rigorous trials are needed to address current gaps in the evidence base.Item Examining the Relationship Between Callings and Employee Well-being(2022-05) Lukjan, Kristyn; Andel, Stephanie; Stockdale, Peggy; Porter, ChristopherAlthough the occupational callings literature has largely focused on positive outcomes of living a calling, there are some emerging findings that suggest that callings may have a “negative” side as well. Drawing upon past studies within the callings literature, as well as upon theoretical perspectives such as self-regulation theory, identity theory, and the Effort-Recovery model, I tested a theoretical model to examine psychological detachment as a mechanism that accounts for the relationship between living a calling (also referred to as one’s calling intensity) and two well-being outcomes: sleep quality and burnout. Further, I built on previous work in the callings literature by examining the moderating impact of two individual differences (trait mindfulness, perfectionism) on the relationship between calling intensity and psychological detachment. Study hypotheses were tested using a two-wave study design with 358 emergency medical professionals. Results revealed that for called emergency medical professionals, trait mindfulness strengthened the negative relationship between calling intensity and psychological detachment, which had downstream negative effects on sleep quality. In addition, one facet of perfectionism, namely perfectionistic strivings, exacerbated the negative indirect effect of calling intensity on sleep quality via psychological detachment. Ultimately, this study contributed to the occupational callings literature by examining the impact of differential levels of trait mindfulness and perfectionism on employee well-being. Implications for enhancing employee well-being are discussed.Item The Experience of Racism on Behavioral Health Outcomes: the Moderating Impact of Mindfulness(Springer, 2018-06-04) Zapolski, Tamika C. B.; Faidley, Micah T.; Beutlich, Marcy R.; Psychology, School of ScienceResearch shows that racial discrimination results in adverse behavioral health outcomes for African–American young adults, including risk for depression, anxiety, and substance use. Although high levels of mindfulness have been shown to reduce risk for such health outcomes, it is unknown whether mindfulness can reduce risk as a consequence of racial discrimination, particularly among African Americans. Three-hundred and eighty-eight African–American young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 (M = 20.6, 62% female) completed measures assessing past-year experiences of racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alcohol use, and trait mindfulness. A positive correlation was found between racial discrimination and the behavioral health outcomes, as well as a negative correlation between mindfulness and the behavioral health outcomes. Moreover, mindfulness was found to significantly moderate the effect of racial discrimination on mood symptoms. Although mindfulness was found to lessen the effect of racial discrimination on alcohol use, this difference was not statistically significant. In line with previous literature, racial discrimination was shown to have a negative impact on behavioral health outcomes among African Americans. Moreover, our findings provide support for the buffering effect of mindfulness on mood symptoms as a consequence discrimination. This suggests that increasing mindfulness may be an effective strategy to include in interventions targeting improvement in mood symptoms for African–American young adults. However, alternative strategies may be more appropriate to address outcomes, such as alcohol use, as a consequence of racial discrimination.Item The Independent Relationships of Metacognition, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Insight to Self-Compassion in Schizophrenia(Wolters Kluwer, 2020-01) Hochheiser, Jesse; Lundin, Nancy B.; Lysaker, Paul H.; Psychiatry, School of MedicineThe debilitating nature of psychosis may be exacerbated by societal stigma and feelings of social isolation over and above positive (e.g., hallucinations) and negative (e.g., flat affect) symptoms. Thus, recovery may be facilitated by increasing self-compassion, the ability to respond with a nonjudgmental attitude of kindness toward oneself as a result of connecting with one's own inadequacies and suffering. We conducted a stepwise regression in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (n = 92) to determine the unique contributions of cognitive variables in predicting self-compassion, such as metacognition (the ability to form complex and integrated ideas about oneself and others), mindfulness, and cognitive insight. Results indicated that increased metacognitive awareness of others and mindfulness uniquely predicted greater self-compassion (i.e., self-kindness), whereas increased cognitive insight predicted greater lack of self-compassion (i.e., self-judgment). These findings suggest the potential for mindfulness and metacognitive interventions to increase positive self-compassion and promote recovery in psychosis.Item Isha Yoga Practices and Participation in Samyama Program are Associated with Reduced HbA1C and Systemic Inflammation, Improved Lipid Profile, and Short-Term and Sustained Improvement in Mental Health: A Prospective Observational Study of Meditators(Frontiers Media, 2021-05-19) Sadhasivam, Senthilkumar; Alankar, Suresh; Maturi, Raj; Williams, Amy; Vishnubhotla, Ramana V.; Hariri, Sepideh; Mudigonda, Mayur; Pawale, Dhanashri; Dubbireddi, Sangeeth; Packiasabapathy, Senthil; Castelluccio, Peter; Ram, Chithra; Renschler, Janelle; Chang, Tracy; Subramaniam, Balachundhar; Anesthesia, School of MedicineBackground: Meditation is gaining recognition as a tool to impact health and well-being. Samyama is an 8-day intensive residential meditation experience conducted by Isha Foundation requiring several months of extensive preparation and vegan diet. The health effects of Samyama have not been previously studied. The objective was to assess physical and emotional well-being before and after Samyama participation by evaluating psychological surveys and objective health biomarkers. Methods: This was an observational study of 632 adults before and after the Isha Samyama retreat. All participants were invited to complete surveys. Controls included household significant others. Surveys were completed at baseline (T1), just before Samyama (T2), immediately after Samyama (T3), and 3 months later (T4) to assess anxiety, depression, mindfulness, joy, vitality, and resilience through validated psychometric scales. Voluntary blood sampling for biomarker analysis was done to assess hemoglobin (Hb), HbA1c, lipid profile, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Primary outcomes were changes in psychometric scores, body weight, and blood biomarkers. Results: Depression and anxiety scores decreased from T1 to T3, with the effect most pronounced in participants with baseline depression or anxiety. Scores at T4 remained below baseline for those with pre-existing depression or anxiety. Vitality, resilience, joy, and mindfulness increased from T1 to T3 (sustained at T4). Body weight decreased by 3% from T1 to T3. Triglycerides (TG) were lower from T2 to T3. Participants had lower HbA1c and HDL at T2, and lower CRP at all timepoints compared with controls. Conclusions: Participation in the Isha Samyama program led to multiple benefits. The 2-month preparation reduced anxiety, and participants maintained lower anxiety levels at 3 months post-retreat. Physical health improved over the course of the program as evidenced by weight loss and improved HbA1C and lipid profile. Practices associated with the Samyama preparation phase and the retreat may serve as an effective way to improve physical and mental health. Future studies may examine their use as an alternative therapy in patients with depression and/or anxiety.Item Learning to Apply Mindfulness to Pain (LAMP): Design for a Pragmatic Clinical Trial of Two Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain(Oxford Academic, 2020-12) Burgess, Diana J.; Evans, Roni; Allen, Kelli D.; Bangerter, Ann; Bronfort, Gert; Cross, Lee J.; Ferguson, John E.; Haley, Alex; Hagel Campbell, Emily M.; Mahaffey, Mallory R.; Matthias, Marianne S.; Meis, Laura A.; Polusny, Melissa A.; Serpa, J. Greg; Taylor, Stephanie L.; Taylor, Brent C.; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are evidence-based nonpharmacological treatments for treating chronic pain. However, the predominant MBI, mindfulness-based stress reduction, has features that pose significant implementation barriers. Objectives: This study will test two approaches to delivering MBIs for improving Veterans' chronic pain and mental health comorbidities. These two approaches address key implementation barriers. Methods: We will conduct a four-site, three-arm pragmatic randomized controlled trial, Learning to Apply Mindfulness to Pain (LAMP), to test the effectiveness of two MBIs at improving pain and mental health comorbidities. Mobile+Group LAMP consists of prerecorded modules presented by a mindfulness instructor that are viewed in an online group setting and interspersed with discussions led by a facilitator. Mobile LAMP consists of the same prerecorded modules but does not include a group component. We will test whether either of these MBIs will be more effective than usual care at improving chronic pain and whether the Mobile+Group LAMP will be more effective than Mobile LAMP at improving chronic pain. Comparisons for the primary hypotheses will be conducted with continuous outcomes (Brief Pain Inventory interference score) repeated at 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The secondary hypotheses are that Mobile+Group LAMP and Mobile LAMP will be more effective than usual care at improving secondary outcomes (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, depression). We will also confirm the comparisons for the primary and secondary hypotheses in gender-specific strata. Implications: This trial is expected to result in two approaches for delivering MBIs that will optimize engagement, adherence, and sustainability and be able to reach large numbers of Veterans.Item A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Trait Mindfulness and Substance Use Behaviors(Elsevier, 2014-10-01) Karyadi, Kenny A.; VanderVeen, J. Davis; Cyders, Melissa A.; Department of Psychology, School of ScienceBackground The relationship between trait mindfulness and substance use behaviors has been inconsistent across studies. The current study is a meta-analysis aimed at quantifying the magnitude of this relationship, and at determining how this relationship varies in context of (1) mindfulness facets, (2) substance type, (3) sample characteristics, and (4) substance use severity. Methods A literature search was conducted using electronic databases. The literature search yielded 303 articles, but only 39 articles met inclusion criteria to be included in this meta-analysis. The relationship was quantified as a Pearson's r correlation coefficient for all studies. Results Findings indicated a small, negative, and significant relationship between trait mindfulness and substance use behaviors (r = -0.13). This relationship varied across substance type, clinical status of the sample, and substance use severity. Although not significant, relationship sizes showed different patterns across mindfulness facets. Conclusions This meta-analysis quantified the relationship between trait mindfulness and substance use behaviors, which can be used as future effect size estimates. Findings also clarify inconsistency in previous work by indicating that the trait mindfulness-substance use behaviors relationship was more robust: (1) for alcohol use and tobacco use behaviors; (2) for problematic substance use behaviors; and (3) with inpatient clinical samples. Further work should continue to examine if acting with awareness, non-judgment, and non-reactivity mindfulness facets are more robustly associated with substance use behaviors. Failure to consider these factors, or collapsing across these factors, could explain the smaller or inconsistently reported associations across previous studies.Item Mindfulness Activities and Techniques: For Clinicans, Adults, and Kids(2024) Ray-Bennett, Kristina"Mindfulness Activities and Techniques: For Clinicians, Adults, and Kids" is a comprehensive guide authored by Kristina Ray-Bennett. It offers a rich collection of evidence-based mindfulness practices. With activities designed for all ages, this book empowers individuals and families to cultivate self-discovery, healing, and resilience. Rooted in neuroscience and enriched by personal experiences, this resource provides practical tools for managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD, fostering well-being in both personal and professional settings.