The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Counseling on the Mental Health of Women With a History of COVID-19 During Pregnancy: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

INTRODUCTION: With the spread of COVID-19, certain population groups, including pregnant women, were more susceptible than others. This disease can lead to postpartum complications, including mental disorders, in mothers. Few studies have investigated the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health, and the most effective counseling approach to promote mental health has not been identified. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the impact of online mindfulness-based counseling on improving mental health among women with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy in Iran. METHODS: The present study was a quasi-experimental design conducted on 100 women with a history of coronavirus infection during pregnancy referred to the Mother's Clinic of Yahya Nejad and Ayatollah Rouhani Educational-Treatment Hospital, affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran, via convenience sampling. The women were randomly assigned to the intervention (mindfulness-based counseling) and control groups. The intervention group received eight 45-min weekly mindfulness-based counseling sessions over 8 weeks. Data were collected via a demographic information questionnaire and the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire before and after the intervention, which were completed by both groups. Independent t-tests and analysis of covariances (ANCOVAs) were used to compare the outcomes of the two groups. RESULTS: After controlling for confounding variables, the mean mental health scores before and after counseling were 29.42 ± 4.49 and 19.80 ± 3.88, respectively, in the intervention group and 26.26 ± 2.29 and 25.92 ± 2.15, respectively, in the control group. The mean mental health score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (F = 266.7, p < 0.001). The mean scores for somatic symptoms (F = 89.30, p < 0.001), depression symptoms (F = 142.71, p < 0.001), anxiety and insomnia symptoms (F = 120.56, p < 0.001), and social dysfunction scores (F = 127.77, p < 0.001) were significantly different between the two groups after counseling. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that online mindfulness-based counseling positively affects mental health and its domains during the postpartum period. However, further randomized clinical trials are needed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn. TRIAL REGISTRATION: We were not allowed to register according to the law of our country.

Someone just posted on Instagram: Conspicuous consumption, anticipated engagement, and trait mindfulness.

The practice of "flexing," showing off one's wealth and status, gradually penetrates daily life on various social media platforms, most notably Instagram. We investigated the extent to which exposure to conspicuous consumption by a stranger stimulated the viewers' materialistic aspiration and whether this effect could be mediated by anticipated engagement and moderated by trait mindfulness. A large number of Instagram users in Indonesia (N = 2,296, 75.30% female; Mage = 31.14 years old, SDage = 7.09) completed the trait mindfulness scale, randomly received a single Instagram photo showcasing luxury material vs. experiential purchase, provided an estimate of the intensity of love and comment from other viewers (i.e., anticipated engagement), and filled out the materialistic aspiration scale. Participants exposed to material purchase reported higher aspiration than those exposed to experiential purchase, but lower anticipated engagements also reduced materialistic aspiration. Participants with higher trait mindfulness were better at distinguishing the effects of conspicuous consumption on anticipated engagement and materialistic aspiration. These findings indicate that the viewers' anticipation of collective attention could reverse the impact of exposure to conspicuous consumption and the potential of trait mindfulness as an anti-mimetic quality for situational materialism.

Effects of kangaroo mother care combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training for reducing stress among mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in the NICU: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) can have a positive effect on the mental well-being of a mother. However, there are specific challenges associated with the process that may contribute to increased anxiety for the mother. By integrating nurse-assisted mindfulness training alongside KMC guidance, nurses may effectively alleviate maternal stress to a greater extent. METHODS: A single-centre randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of KMC combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training. The study included preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks or a birth weight of less than 1500 g and their mothers, who were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group consisted of mothers who received KMC combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training for 14 days. The control group comprised mothers who received only KMC for 14 days. Data from both groups were collected and compared for analysis. RESULTS: Forty-seven infants and their mothers were included in the intervention group, whereas 44 pairs were included in the control group. After the intervention, the parental stressor scale scores for the neonatal intensive care unit (PSS: NICU) (3), PSS: NICU (4), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores for the intervention group were lower than those for the control group, whereas the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (1), FFMQ (4), and FFMQ (5) scores for the intervention group were higher. The degree of change in the PSS: NICU and HADS scores was inversely correlated with the degree of change in the FFMQ score. The breast milk feed rate and weight gain rate were greater in the intervention group than in the control group. No adverse reactions were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Kangaroo mother care combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training is an acceptable, feasible, and effective procedure for reducing anxiety in mothers of preterm infants in the NICU, with potential benefits for the short-term prognosis of these infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900023697, registered on June 8, 2019, retrospectively registered.

[Summarising the efficiency of psychological interventions in the treatment of endometriosis]. / Az endometriózis pszichológiai ellátásában használatos beavatkozások hatékonyságának összegzése.

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease affecting 5-10% of women resulting in several psychological impacts. Regarding the high prevalence as well as extensive somatic symptoms, this has become a growing issue of psychological research in recent years. Thanks to its rising importance the negative effect on quality of life, mood, and anxiety symptoms has been proven. Thus we aimed to organize psychological interventions affecting the mentioned constructs and also examine their efficiency and scientific standards. Our inclusion criteria referred to studies based on randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We selected seven types of interventions, such as psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based methods, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, physical activity, and complex programs. Regarding the quality of life, mood, and anxiety cognitive behavioural therapy and progressive muscle relaxation were the most effective methods, however, other interventions had promising results either. Besides, there is a growing demand for psychological and mind-body interventions, which should get a more important place in the primary care of endometriosis next to medical treatment. We find inevitable further high-quality examinations, and from the point of practice, we consider it crucial to implement current evidence-based methods in the psychological care of endometriosis. Keywords: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Online eurythmy therapy for cancer-related fatigue: a prospective repeated-measures observational study exploring fatigue, stress, and mindfulness.

Introduction: Cancer is a debilitating disease with an often chronic course. One of the most taxing and prevalent sequelae in this context is cancer-related fatigue (CRF) resulting from the disease and/or associated treatments. Over the last years mindfulness-based interventions such as eurythmy therapy (ERYT), a mindful-movement therapy from anthroposophic medicine, have emerged as promising adjunct therapies in oncology. This prospective study investigated an online implementation of ERYT for CRF using a single arm repeated-measures design based on two consecutive studies. Method: Study 1 consisted of an initial assessment before, during, after, and at follow up of a 6-week online ERYT-based program in a mixed sample of N = 165 adults with or without cancer diagnosis. Study 2 involved a similar design with an adapted 8-week online ERYT-based program in a sample of N = 125 adults who had been diagnosed with cancer. Outcomes were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, Perceived Stress Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index (for Study 1 all, for Study 2 only the former three). We additionally performed an exploratory analysis regarding practice frequency and duration. Data were analyzed using Linear Mixed-Effect Models per outcome; ANOVA was used for practice times. Results: For Study 1, mixed-effects model estimates showed no significant effect on fatigue, but pointed to significantly improved emotional and physical well-being, reduced stress, as well as increased mindfulness (mixed subjects). Functional and social well-being or sleep quality did not change significantly. Study 2 model estimates on the other hand showed significantly improved CRF in conjunction with the ERYT-based online intervention, as well as improved stress and mindfulness scores (cancer-diagnosed subjects). Conclusion: Taken together, while our results should be interpreted with caution given the single-arm design and relatively high dropout, they suggest online ERYT may be associated with a reduction in fatigue for individuals diagnosed with cancer, an increase in mindfulness, and benefits for stress and certain well-being indicators. The online group format is advantageous in view of affordability and accessibility, the latter being particularly relevant for individuals who due to high symptom severity cannot leave their homes. Randomized-controlled studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

The impact of mindfulness intervention on negative emotions and quality of life in malignant tumor patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aims to assess the effect of mindfulness intervention on negative emotions (anxiety and depression) and quality of life in malignant tumor patients. Methods: The databases, including CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database disc (CBMdisc), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (WoS), were searched from inception to January 2024. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of mindfulness intervention on negative emotions and quality of life in malignant tumor patients were selected. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1. Results: A total of 11 studies involving 993 patients were included. Compared with usual care, mindfulness intervention effectively reduced anxiety [SMD = -0.81, 95% CI (-1.01, -0.60), p < 0.00001], depression [SMD = -0.86, 95% CI (-1.01, -0.70), p < 0.00001], and improved patients' quality of life [SMD = 0.64, 95% CI (0.50, 0.78), p < 0.00001]. Conclusion: Mindfulness intervention can effectively alleviate negative emotions such as anxiety and depression in malignant tumor patients and positively impact their quality of life.

Mindfulness trait and the potential mediating role of emotional regulation strategies in bipolar disorder / Mindfulness rasgo y el potencial papel mediador de las estrategias de regulación emocional en el trastorno bipolar

En este estudio transversal se investiga la asociación entre los principales síntomas del Trastorno bipolar (TB) y las dificultades asociadas a las estrategias de regulación emocional (ERE) adaptativas y desadaptativas. Además, este estudio examina los efectos mediadores de las ERE con el mindfulness rasgo y el TB. Método. Veinticuatro adultos con TB completaron la Escala de Conciencia de Atención Plena (MAAS), el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI-II), la Escala de Autoevaluación de Manía de Altman (ARSM), el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo (STAI-R), y el Cuestionario de Regulación Emocional Cognitiva (CERQ). Resultados. El análisis de regresión múltiple mostró cómo la depresión se relacionaba significativa y positivamente con la autoculpabilización, mientras que la ansiedad rasgo estaba positivamente asociada con la autoculpabilización y el catastrofismo. En segundo lugar, el análisis de mediación mostró un efecto de mediación significativo para la autoculpabilidad en la relación entre mindfulness y depresión (a*b = -.15; ICB 95% [-.36, -.03]) y entre mindfulness y ansiedad rasgo (a*b = -.09; ICB 95% [-.27, -.01]). Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados informan del papel de la auto-culpabilidad y el catastrofismo en el TB y de cómo éstas podrían mediar significativamente entre el mindfulness rasgo y el TB. Estos resultados sugieren que una práctica de meditación enfocada en el catastrofismo y la autoculpabilidad puede ser especialmente útil para reducir los síntomas en los pacientes bipolares.(AU)

This cross-sectional study investigates the association between the main symptoms of Bipolar disorder (BD) and emotional regulation dif-ficulties in adaptive and maladaptive emotional regulation strategies (ERS). In addition, this study examines the possible mediating effects of ERS with dispositional mindfulnessand bipolar symptoms. Method.Twenty-four adults diagnosed with BD completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Altman Mania Self-Assessment Scale (ARSM), the Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-R), and the Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Results. First, mul-tiple regression analysis showed how depression was significantly positively related to self-blame, whereas trait anxietywas positively associated with self-blame and catastrophizing. Second, the results of the mediation analy-sis have shown a significant mediation effect for the self-blamein the rela-tionship between mindfulnessand depression (a*b = -.15; BCI 95% [-.36, -.03]) and between mindfulnessand trait anxiety (a*b = -.09; BCI 95% [-.27, -.01]). Conclusions. Our results report the role of self-blame and catastrophiz-ing in BD and how these might significantly mediate between dispositional mindfulness and symptoms of depression and anxiety. These results suggest that a meditation practice focused on reducing catastrophizing and self-blame may be especially helpful for symptoms of depression and anxiety in bipolar patients.(AU)

The relationship between mindfulness and empathy with the oxytocinergic system in persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders - A proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial (OXYGEN).

Background: The present study explored the feasibility and acceptability as well as the impact of mindfulness-based group therapy (MBGT) on oxytocin levels (OXT) and clinical parameters in outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Methods: In a randomized-controlled design, outpatients with SSD (N = 48) were assigned to either MBGT in addition to German university-level treatment as usual (MBGT+TAU; n = 25) or TAU (n = 23). At baseline and at four-week post-intervention, clinical parameters and OXT levels were determined. Results: Results indicate high feasibility and acceptance with a 95.7% adherence- and 94% retention- rate of MBGT in SSD. While no significant changes in empathy were observed, MBGT+TAU demonstrated a significant reduction in positive symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrom Scale) compared to TAU at post-intervention. OXT levels were significantly increased in MBGT+TAU at post-intervention, suggesting a potential link between mindfulness and the oxytocinergic system in SSD. Additionally, improvements in various clinical parameters were indicated. Conclusion: The study contributes to the growing evidence supporting feasibility, acceptability, and positive effects of MBGT in outpatients with SSD, emphasizing the need for further research to solidify these findings. Overall, this work sheds first evidence on the intersection of mindfulness, oxytocin, and clinical outcomes in SSD.

The effects of mindfulness enhanced Tai Chi Chuan training on mental and physical health among beginners: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise widely adopted in Chinese communities and colleges. However, the mindful essence of TCC is rarely emphasized during popularization. This makes it difficult for beginners to benefit from it. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a Mindfulness-enhanced Tai Chi Chuan (MTCC) intervention, which enhances mindfulness components embedded within TCC, on mental and physical health among beginners. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 119 healthy college students new to Tai Chi Chuan training. Participants were assigned to either the MTCC group or the TCC group. Both interventions consisted of 10 weekly 90-min training sessions, with the MTCC group emphasizing and enhancing mindfulness components. Outcome measures included mindfulness, depression, anxiety, stress, and physical fitness, assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results: The results showed that the MTCC group had significantly greater improvements than the TCC group in mindfulness, anxiety, stress, and health-and skill-related physical fitness. There were no significant differences between the two groups in depression. Conclusion: The findings suggest that compared to TCC, MTCC can effectively promote individuals' physical fitness and provide additional benefits to mental well-being. MTCC can be recommended as an accessible and beneficial intervention for beginners to improve mental health and strengthen their bodies. Clinical review registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2200058175.

Exploring the Embodied Mind: Functional Connectome Fingerprinting of Meditation Expertise.

Background: Short mindfulness-based interventions have gained traction in research due to their positive impact on well-being, cognition, and clinical symptoms across various settings. However, these short-term trainings are viewed as preliminary steps within a more extensive transformative path, presumably leading to long-lasting trait changes. Despite this, little is still known about the brain correlates of these meditation traits. Methods: To address this gap, we investigated the neural correlates of meditation expertise in long-term Buddhist practitioners, comparing the large-scale brain functional connectivity of 28 expert meditators with 47 matched novices. Our hypothesis posited that meditation expertise would be associated with specific and enduring patterns of functional connectivity present during both meditative (open monitoring/open presence and loving-kindness and compassion meditations) and nonmeditative resting states, as measured by connectivity gradients. Results: Applying a support vector classifier to states not included in training, we successfully decoded expertise as a trait, demonstrating its non-state-dependent nature. The signature of expertise was further characterized by an increased integration of large-scale brain networks, including the dorsal and ventral attention, limbic, frontoparietal, and somatomotor networks. The latter correlated with a higher ability to create psychological distance from thoughts and emotions. Conclusions: Such heightened integration of bodily maps with affective and attentional networks in meditation experts could point toward a signature of the embodied cognition cultivated in these contemplative practices.

Recent research has focused on the benefits of short mindfulness-based interventions, noting their positive effects on well-being, cognition, and clinical symptoms. However, the long-term brain changes associated with these practices remain unclear. A new study explores this by examining the brain connectome of 28 long-term Buddhist meditators and comparing it with 47 beginners. The study found that experienced meditators show distinct, durable brain connectivity patterns. This connectivity involves several brain networks and is linked to an enhanced ability to manage thoughts and emotions, suggesting that long-term meditation may lead to profound brain integration and cognitive changes.

Longitudinal associations between prenatal internalizing symptoms and mindfulness traits with postnatal bonding difficulties.

PURPOSE: Mothers' reported connection, or bond, with their infants develops across the early postnatal period and is relevant to mother and offspring functioning. Little is known, however, about early predictors of bonding difficulties over time. The present study examined prenatal anxiety, depressive symptoms, and trait mindfulness and variation in bonding difficulties in mothers across the first two months postnatal. METHODS: Participants were 120 pregnant women (Mage=31.09 years, SD = 4.81; 80% White). Measures of anxiety, depression, and five facets of mindfulness were administered mid-pregnancy (approximately 20 weeks gestation) and bonding difficulties were assessed every two weeks from approximately 1 to 7 weeks postnatal. RESULTS: Using multilevel modeling to account for within-person repeated assessments, we found an inverted U-shaped pattern across time such that bonding difficulties initially worsened before improving around five weeks postnatal. Prenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms were longitudinally associated with greater bonding difficulties overall and were unrelated to the trajectory of change. The mindfulness facets of acting with awareness and being nonjudging of one's own experience were longitudinally associated with less bonding difficulties overall, weaker initial increases in bonding difficulties, and earlier improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal anxiety and depression may be risk factors for bonding difficulties that are persistent across the early postnatal period. In contrast, mindfulness tendencies before childbirth, specifically acting with awareness and being nonjudging towards oneself, may support early feelings of bonding over time.

Neuromodulation and mindfulness as therapeutic treatment in detoxified patients with alcohol use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) poses a significant global health challenge. Traditional management strategies often face high relapse rates, leading to a need for innovative approaches. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) has emerged as a promising intervention to enhance cognitive control, reduce cue-related craving and improve interoceptive processing. Neuroimaging studies suggest that mindfulness training can modulate brain networks associated with these factors, potentially improving treatment outcomes for AUD. Neuroimaging studies suggest that mindfulness training can modulate brain networks linked to these brain functions, potentially improving treatment outcomes for AUD. However, it is unclear how MBRP links to neurophysiological measures such as frontal midline theta oscillations (FMΘ) and whether the beneficial effects of MBRP can be increased by enhancing FMΘ. Here, we will use two different forms of neuromodulation to target and enhance these oscillations, and evaluate their impact on the effectiveness of MBRP. METHODS: This study will employ a four-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the synergistic effects of MBRP augmented with transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) or closed-loop amplitude-modulated transcranial alternating current stimulation (CLAM-tACS) on cognitive control, cue reactivity and interoceptive processing in AUD patients. Participants will undergo six weekly group MBRP sessions and daily individual mindfulness practices. Assessments will include an inhibition task, cue-induced craving task, and heartbeat discrimination task, alongside heart rate variability and 32-channel EEG recordings. Participants will be assessed pre and post treatment, with a three-month follow-up to evaluate long-term effects on abstinence and alcohol consumption. DISCUSSION: This study will not only elucidate the causal link between FMΘ and efficacy of MBRP, but contribute to a better understanding of how combined psychological and neuromodulation interventions can improve treatment outcomes for AUD, potentially leading to more effective therapeutic strategies. This study also seeks to explore individual differences in response to treatment, which could inform future approaches to AUD management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study received approval by the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Institutional Review Board (EA1/030/23, 10.11.2023). It was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06308484).

Mindfulness to enhance quality of life and support advance care planning: a pilot randomized controlled trial for adults with advanced cancer and their family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers often use avoidant coping strategies, such as delaying advance care planning discussions, which contribute to deterioration in their quality of life. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in improving quality of life in this population but have rarely been applied to advance care planning. This pilot trial examined the preliminary efficacy of a group-based Mindfulness to Enhance Quality of Life and Support Advance Care Planning (MEANING) intervention for patient-caregiver dyads coping with advanced cancer. Primary outcomes were patient and caregiver quality of life or well-being, and secondary outcomes included patient advanced care planning engagement (self-efficacy and readiness) and other psychological and symptom outcomes. METHODS: In this pilot trial, dyads coping with advanced cancer were recruited from five oncology clinics in the midwestern U.S. and randomized to six weekly group sessions of a mindfulness intervention (n = 33 dyads) or usual care (n = 22 dyads). Outcomes were assessed via surveys at baseline, post-intervention, and 1 month post-intervention. All available data were included in the multilevel models assessing intervention efficacy. RESULTS: Patients in the MEANING condition experienced significant increases in existential well-being and self-efficacy for advance care planning across follow-ups, whereas usual care patients did not. Other group differences in outcomes were not statistically significant. These outcomes included other facets of patient well-being, caregiver quality of life, patient readiness for advance care planning, caregiver burden, and patient and caregiver depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disturbance, cognitive avoidance, and peaceful acceptance of cancer. However, only MEANING patients showed moderate increases in psychological well-being across follow-ups, and MEANING caregivers showed moderate increases in quality of life at 1-month follow-up. Certain psychological outcomes, such as caregiver burden at 1-month follow-up, also showed moderate improvement in the MEANING condition. Patients in both conditions reported small to moderate increases in readiness to engage in advance care planning. CONCLUSIONS: A mindfulness-based intervention showed promise in improving quality-of-life and advance care planning outcomes in patients and caregivers coping with advanced cancer and warrants further testing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03257007. Registered 22 August 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03257007 .

Acute Augmented Effect of Virtual Reality (VR)-Integrated Relaxation and Mindfulness Exercising on Anxiety and Insomnia Symptoms: A Retrospective Analysis of 103 Anxiety Disorder Patients With Prominent Insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and often accompanied with sleep disturbance which can in turn exacerbate anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. In addition to psychopharmacological therapy, the effectiveness of psychotherapy as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety disorders and insomnia has been well documented and widely accepted, but it is labor-intensive and costly. However, virtual reality (VR)-integrated CBT may improve this condition but needs more evidences to support its extensive application in routine clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: This explorative study was aimed to conduct a retrospective analysis to evaluate the acute (2 weeks) augmented effect of VR-integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising in improving anxiety and insomnia symptoms for patients who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders and concurrently with prominent insomnia symptoms and admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University during January 2021 to June 2021. METHODS: All patients who were admitted to the department of psychiatry during January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 were screened with inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, and the sociodemographic and clinical data of those included patients were collected from the electronic medical record system of the hospital using a self-designed case report form (CRF). Subjects who were administrated with medication alone were designated as conventional group, and those receiving treatment of medication combined with VR-integrated CBT (VR relaxation and mindfulness exercising) as VR group. The baseline and 2-week posttreatment data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, there were 103 patients (70 female, 68%) included in the study. Among all, 68 (66.02%) were designated as the "VR group," and 35 (33.98%) as the "conventional group." The majority of patients (67%) were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Twenty-three (22.3%) patients had a comorbid diagnosis with primary insomnia, and insomnia was just one of the accompanying symptoms with anxiety for the rest 80 subjects. No statistically significant differences were found between VR and conventional groups in all baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics except for occupation. There were statistically significant differences for the remission rates of anxiety symptoms or insomnia symptoms and reduction of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale or Insomnia Severity Index total scores between conventional and VR groups. Greater remission rates or score reductions were found in VR group than in conventional group either for anxiety or for insomnia. Robust differences still existed when controlled for the variable "occupation." CONCLUSIONS: Two-week augmented VR-integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising is acutely beneficial for relieving both anxiety and insomnia symptoms and worth being recommended for routine clinical practice. Further prospective and randomized study compared to traditional CBT to explore its acute and long-term effect on anxiety and insomnia is needed.

Pain, mindfulness, and placebo: a systematic review.

Introduction: Pain is a complex phenomenon influenced by psychosocial variables, including the placebo effect. The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for pain has been demonstrated in experimental studies and systematic reviews, but the mechanisms of action are only starting to be established. Whether the expectations of individuals experiencing pain can be manipulated during MBIs remains to be systematically evaluated, and what role placebo effects might play remains to be explored. Methods: To evaluate the literature analyzing placebo effects in MBIs for pain, we performed a systematic review based on searches conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. Our search revealed a total of 272 studies, of which only 19 studies were included (10 acute pain and nine chronic pain), considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria related to expectations and placebo effects. Results: From the 19 included studies, six measured placebo effects only in relation to the pharmacological intervention used in the study and not to an MBI. Discussion: The results of the few studies that focused on the placebo effects of the MBIs indicate that placebo and expectations play a role in the MBIs' effects on pain. Although expectations and placebo effects are frequently discussed in the context of mindfulness and pain research, these results show that these factors are still not routinely considered in experimental designs. However, the results of the few studies included in this systematic review highlight a clear role for placebo and expectancy effects in the overall effects of MBIs for both acute and chronic pain, suggesting that routine measurement and further consideration in future studies are warranted. Additional research in this fascinating and challenging field is necessary to fully understand the connection between MBIs, placebo/expectations, and their effects on pain relief.

Psychological capital mediates the mindfulness-creativity link: the perspective of positive psychology.

The positive mindfulness-creativity link has been widely documented; however, its underlying psychological mechanisms remain less understood. From the perspective of positive psychology, this study examined the mediating effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on the effect of dispositional mindfulness on creative functioning. A total of 894 Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong (50.8% female; M age = 15.5 years) completed the study. A cross-sectional design was used, in which context PsyCap and dispositional mindfulness were assessed by the Chinese version of the revised Compound PsyCap Scale (CPC-12R) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), respectively. Moreover, by adopting the multiple-measurement approach to creativity, three commonly used creativity tests (i.e., the Wallach-Kogan Creativity Test/WKCT, the Test for Creative Thinking-Drawing Production/TCT-DP, and the Creative Problem-Solving Test/CPST) were applied to capture three aspects of creativity (i.e., divergent thinking, creative combination, and creative problem solving). The results suggest that (1) PsyCap partially but significantly mediated the mindfulness-creativity link for all three aspects of creative functioning, and (2) PsyCap demonstrated the strongest effect size in mediating the mindfulness-creativity link for creative problem solving, followed by creative combination and then divergent thinking. These results, on the one hand, support the positive psychology perspective by confirming a positive psychological resource mechanism regarding the relationship between mindfulness and creativity. On the other hand, the results regarding the varied sizes of the mediation effect further enrich the discourse on this perspective by showing that the mediation mechanism may function to different degrees depending on which aspect of creativity is under consideration. These findings illuminate the positive functioning of mindfulness, psychological resources/capital and creativity.

Nomophobia and its impact on mindfulness and self-efficacy among nurses: An analytical cross-sectional study in the institution of national importance, Western India.

BACKGROUND: The interaction between people and advanced information and communication technologies results in behavioral addictions, one of them is nomophobia. In a health care setting, nurses constitute a significant proportion of healthcare workers. Therefore, discovering the level of nomophobia and its impact on constructs such as mindfulness and self-efficacy is very important as this might affect the psychological and physical well-being of nurses, which can impact the quality of patient care. The study aimed to assess the level of nomophobia and its relationship with mindfulness and self-efficacy of nurses. METHODS AND MATERIAL: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 420 nurses were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Self-structured questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic characteristics and mobile phone use. Standardized questionnaires were administered in pen and paper format for measuring nomophobia, mindfulness, and self-efficacy. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used. Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient and Chi-square test were employed to analyze the data. RESULTS: The majority of nurses (99.5%) had nomophobia. About half of them (53.3%) had a moderate level of nomophobia. Nearly half of nurses had high level of mindfulness (52.6%) and self-efficacy (53.3%) respectively. Further, nomophobia was found to be negatively correlated with mindfulness (r = -0.289) and self-efficacy (r = -0.278). CONCLUSION: Nomophobia poses a risk to the mindfulness and self-efficacy of nurses. Continuing education should focus on awareness programs emphasizing good practices in the use of current technologies.

A Validation Study of the Mindfulness-Based Interventions Teaching Assessment Criteria for Assessing Mindfulness-Based Intervention Teacher Skill: Inter-Rater Reliability and Predictive Validity.

Background: Prior data suggests the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: (MBI) Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) has good inter-rater reliability, but many raters knew teacher experience level. Objective: We sought to further evaluate the MBI-TAC's inter-rater reliability and obtain preliminary data on predictive validity. Methods: We videorecorded 21 MBSR teachers from academic and community settings. We trained 19 experienced MBI teachers in using the MBI:TAC. MBSR teachers were rated by three assessors; teachers and their assessors did not know one another. To assess predictive validity, MBSR students in courses taught by 18 of the MBSR teachers were invited to complete PROMIS-29 measures before the MBSR course, at the end of the course (month 2), and month 4. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) representing a single rater ranged from 0.33 to 0.56 on the 6 MBI:TAC domains. Using an average of two raters, ICC estimates ranged from 0.48 to 0.71 and ICCs generalizing to an average of three raters ranged from 0.6 to 0.8. Among n = 152 participating MBSR students, we found improvements from baseline to 2 months and 4 months in PROMIS measures of Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Sleep, and Social Role function (range in improvement 2.3 to 6.3, P < 0.0001 for all comparisons except Social Role at 2 months, P = 0.007). Higher MBI:TAC ratings were associated with greater improvements in anxiety among MBSR students from baseline to 2 months, with a -0.31 lower participant anxiety score per 1 unit increase in MBI:TAC composite teaching rating (95% CI -0.58, -0.05, P = 0.019), but we did not find statistically significant relationships with improvements in other PROMIS-29 domains. Conclusions: ICCs indicated good reliability using an average of three ratings, but inter-rater reliability was only fair using a single rater. We found initial validation that higher MBI:TAC ratings predicted greater improvements in anxiety symptoms in MBSR participants.

Sex differences in cigarette smoking following a mindfulness-based cessation randomized controlled trial.

Some interventions for smoking cessation such as quit smoking aids show sex-specific effects on outcomes, but behavioral interventions such as mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for smoking cessation lack formal reporting of sex-intervention tests of interaction to date. To address this gap, we conducted a secondary analysis of a RCT dataset (N = 213), recruiting participants from California, to statistically test a sex-intervention interaction effect on complete 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA), proportion of days abstinent, and daily cigarettes smoked. Smoking was assessed using the timeline follow back method spanning the four weeks following a daily 14-day app-based intervention and a planned smoking quit date immediately following the intervention phase. All models adjusted for baseline nicotine dependence. The study groups had comparable sex proportions (MBI: 56 % female; control: 55 % female) and the ratio of outcome assessment completion by group was not dependent on sex. Adjusted analyses revealed a significant sex-intervention interaction effect for daily cigarettes smoked ([female coded 1]: two-way interaction effect IRR = 0.59, 95 % CI: 0.46-0.77, p < 0.0001; effect for female: IRR = 0.68, 95 % CI: 0.57-0.81, effect for male: IRR = 1.14, 95 % CI: 0.95-1.37), but not for complete 7-day PPA ([female coded 1] two-way interaction effect OR = 1.24, 95 % CI: 0.31-4.89, p = 0.76) or proportion of total days abstinent ([female coded 1] two-way interaction effect OR = 1.97, 95 % CI: 0.53-7.37, p = 0.31). Females, but not males, allocated to a daily app-based MBI with a quit plan and quit aid workbook smoked fewer cigarettes per day compared to females in the control group. Males, but not females, showed significantly less use of the MBI app compared to the control app.