Meditation for role of productive capacities and green investment on ecological footprint in BRI countries.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a development strategy with a focus on enhancing connectivity, promoting economic growth, and improving people's livelihoods. However, it has also raised concerns about its effect on the environment. This study explores the impact of productive capacities and green investment in mitigating the ecological footprint of BRI countries. The role of productive capacities on ecological footprint is very little discussed in earlier studies. This study investigates the effect of productive capacities index and green investment on ecological footprint for 42 BRI participating countries covering the time span of 2000-2018. Different methods are applied to tackle the problem of dependence of cross sections; then Lagrange multiplier bootstrap method is applied to find co-integration. The long run relationship is uncovered by "augmented mean group" (AMG) and "common correlated effects mean group" (CCEMG). The findings of the study show that both productive capacities and green investment have a significant negative impact on ecological footprint, depicting that promoting sustainable development and environmental protection is feasible through increasing productive capacities and investing in green technologies. The findings of this study have important implications for policymakers, who should focus on promoting sustainable environment by prioritizing productive capacities and green technologies.

Assessment of a Mindfulness Meditation Elective in an Accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a live 14-week mindfulness elective course on the well-being of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students in an accelerated program.Methods. Pharmacy students enrolled in a mindfulness elective participated in weekly class sessions that included an eight-week mindfulness program geared toward emerging adults. Eight weekly reflections were assigned to students and evaluated using the Text iQ text-analysis tool in Qualtrics. Investigators analyzed the sentiment scores assigned by Text iQ to detect differences in the tone of student reflections over time.Results. Twenty-four students were enrolled in this elective, and 22 students submitted complete reflections for evaluation. Mean sentiment scores and the percentage of responses in sentiment score categories (very positive and positive, mixed and neutral, very negative and negative) for these reflections showed significant differences between weeks.Conclusion. The tone of student reflections was more positive after the students learned and incorporated mindfulness practice into their accelerated PharmD curriculum.

Muffins and Meditation: Combatting Burnout in Surgical Residents.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the prevalence of burnout in our surgical residency program and to assess the impact of a weekly wellness program for surgical residents through validated tools measuring mindfulness, self-compassion, flourishing, and burnout. Our hypothesis was that participants with more frequent attendance would: (1) be more mindful and self-compassionate and (2) experience less burnout and more flourishing. DESIGN: An optional one-hour weekly breakfast conference was facilitated by a senior surgical faculty member with the time protected from all clinical duties. Following a guided meditation, participants were given time for reflection and dialogue about their training experiences or led in a wellness exercise. TRANCE (tolerance, respect, anonymity, nonretaliation, compassion, egalitarianism) principles were utilized to create a safe and open environment. Residents were surveyed at the end of the study period, which was from March 2017 through June 2018. SETTING: The conference and data analysis was conducted at Denver Health Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: This study analyzed survey responses from 85 surgical residents. RESULTS: Following the wellness program, when answering the 2-question Maslach Burnout Inventory, 35.7% of residents reported feeling burned out by their work once a week or more, and 29.7% reported feeling more callous toward people once a week or more. After multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of increased burnout were "not being married or in a committed relationship," lower positive affect, and higher negative affect. Written feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and residents expressed gratitude for the conference, the opportunity for self-reflection, and open dialogue with attendings and colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of burnout is high among surgical residents. Allowing time to practice a mindfulness meditation while providing space for residents to share their experiences may be protective, and efforts should be made to reduce barriers to participation.

Processos de reflexividade dos psicólogos do esporte e coaches: um estudo fenomenológico / Reflexivity processes of sport psychologists and coaches: a phenomenological study / Procesos de reflexividad de psicólogos del deporte y coaches: un estudio fenomenológico

O objetivo desta pesquisa é identificar e compreender fenomenologicamente, por meio de relato de Psicólogos de Esporte (PE) e de Coaches, em sua vivência prática, como ocorrem os processos reflexivos em sua atuação, conforme apreendidos a partir de relatos de experiências. O método de investigação escolhido foi a fenomenologia, pois oferece os recursos necessários para tal mergulho junto à experiência reflexiva. A amostra intencional foi delineada por PE e Coaches (profissionais de Educação Física que recorrem ao Coaching) em atividade em esportes de alto rendimento, que tenham atuado ou estejam atuando em modalidades esportivas coletivas e/ou individuais. Realizaram-se nove entrevistas (cinco com PE, quatro com Coaches). O acesso ao objeto desse estudo se deu por meio de entrevistas em profundidade e semiestruturadas, orientadas pela escuta suspensiva. As questões disparadoras foram formuladas com base no Procedimento Estruturado de Reflexão adaptado. Para análise das entrevistas, realizou-se uma síntese de cada relato, seguindo-se de cruzamento intencional. Como resultados, percebeu-se que PE e Coaches trazem algumas similaridades no que se refere aos modos de refletir sobre sua prática. No entanto, as experiências que eles fazem desses processos reflexivos é que podem tomar rumos distintos. Os(as) PE amparam-se na regulamentação da profissão e resguardam-se em seus apontamentos, trazendo suas experiências e reflexões sobre os processos vividos. Os(as) Coaches trazem em suas explanações um trabalho coerente, organizado e compatível com o método do Coaching. Problematizar os processos reflexivos desses profissionais permite diferenciar qualitativa e eticamente suas atuações, possibilitando o fomento multiprofissional no esporte.(AU)

The aim of this study consists in phenomenologically identifying and understanding, by the report of Sport Psychologists (SP) and coaches, in their practical experience, how would be the reflexive processes that take place in their performance, as learned from reports of their experiences. The research method chosen was phenomenology, since it offers the necessary resources for such a dive along with the reflective experience. The intentional sample was outlined by SP and coaches (Physical Education professionals who use coaching) active in high performance sports, who have or are working in collective and/or individual sports. Nine interviews were conducted (five with SP, four with coaches). Access to the object of this study took place by in-depth and semi-structured interviews, guided by suspensive listening. The triggering questions were formulated based on the adapted Structured Reflection Procedure. For the analysis of the interviews, a synthesis of each report was carried out, followed by the intentional crossing. As results, it was noticed that SP and coaches bring some similarities regarding the ways of reflecting on their practice. However, their experiences of these reflective processes are that they can take different directions. The SP are based on the regulation of the profession and guard themselves in their notes, bringing their experiences and reflections on the processes experienced. Coaches bring in their explanations a coherent, organized, and compatible work with the coaching method. Problematizing the reflective processes of these professionals allows to differentiate their actuation qualitatively and ethically, making the multiprofessional phenomenon in sport possible.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio consiste en identificar y comprender fenomenológicamente, a partir de la experiencia práctica de psicólogos del deporte (PD) y coaches, cómo serían los procesos reflexivos que se llevan a cabo en su rendimiento, tal y como se desprende de los informes de experiencias. El método de investigación elegido fue la fenomenología, ya que ofrece los recursos necesarios junto con la experiencia. La muestra intencional fue delineada por PD y coaches (profesionales de la educación física que utilizan el coaching) activos en deportes de alto rendimiento, que tienen o están trabajando en deportes colectivos e/o individuales. Se realizaron nueve entrevistas (cinco con PD, cuatro con coaches). El acceso al objeto de este estudio fue entrevistas en profundidad y semiestructuradas, guiadas por escuchas suspensivas. Las preguntas se formularon desde el procedimiento de reflexión estructurado adaptado. Para el análisis de las entrevistas, se hizo una síntesis de cada informe, seguida del cruce intencional. Como resultados, se notó que los PD y coaches tienen algunas similitudes con respecto a las formas de reflexionar sobre su práctica. Sin embargo, las experiencias que hacen de estos procesos pueden tomar diferentes direcciones. Los(las) PD se basan en la regulación de la profesión y se protegen en sus notas, aportando sus experiencias y reflexiones sobre los procesos vividos. Los(las) coaches plantean en sus explicaciones un trabajo coherente, organizado y compatible con el método de Coaching. Problematizar los procesos reflexivos de estos profesionales permite diferenciar sus acciones de manera cualitativa y ética, además de posibilitar la promoción multiprofesional en el deporte.(AU)

The state mindfulness scale for physical activity: further psychometrics properties / Escala de estado de mindfulness para atividade física: novas propriedades psicométricas / Escala de mindfulness en la actividad física: nuevas propiedades psicométricas

Mindfulness has been defined as attention and awareness to the present with an attitude of openness, non-judgment, and acceptance. It is suggested that mindfulness can positively influence experiences in sports and physical activity, increasing adherence to these activities. This study aimed to examine new psychometric properties of the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) using classical and modern testing theories among Brazilian sport and exercise practitioners. Two studies were conducted. In the first, with 617 Brazilian sports practitioners, confirmatory factor analysis supported the bifactor structure of the SMS-PA composed of two specific (mental and body mindfulness) and one general factor (state mindfulness), which did not vary among genders. The Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM) supported essential one-dimensionality indicated by the general factor with good item fit statistics (infit/outfit 0.62-1.27). The model presented a good level of Rasch reliability (0.85), and the items difficulty estimation provided an understanding of the continuum represented by their content. In the second study, with 249 Brazilian exercise practitioners, the structural equation modeling showed that Body Mindfulness was associated with positive outcomes (positive affect and satisfaction with practice). The mediation analysis showed that people with higher levels of Body mindfulness tend to experience greater levels of Positive Affect and, consequently, greater Satisfaction with exercises. The results suggest that the Brazilian version of the SMS-PA is an appropriate measure of the state of mindfulness.(AU)

Mindfulness pode ser definido como atenção e consciência no momento presente com uma atitude de abertura, não julgamento e aceitação. A literatura sugere que o mindfulness pode influenciar positivamente experiências no esporte e atividade física e pode exercer um papel na adesão a essas atividades. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar novas propriedades psicométricas da State Mindulness Sacale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) utilizando as teorias clássicas e modernas dos testes em praticantes de exercício físico e esporte brasileiros. Dois estudos foram conduzidos. No primeiro, com 617 brasileiros praticantes de esporte, a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (AFC) demonstrou adequação à estrutura bifatorial da SMS-PA composta por dois fatores específicos (mindfulness mental e físico) e um fator geral (estado de mindfulness), que apresentou invariância entre sexos. A Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM) corroborou a unidimensionalidade essencial indicada pelo fator geral com bons índices de ajustes (infit/outfit 0.62 -1.27). O modelo apresentou bom nível de precisão Rasch (.85), e a estimação de dificuldade dos itens possibilitou compreensão do continuum representado pelo conteúdo dos itens. No segundo estudo, com 249 brasileiros praticantes de esporte, a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais demonstrou que o mindfulness físico esteve associado a afetos positivos e satisfação com a prática. A análise de mediação mostrou que pessoas com níveis altos de mindfulness físico tendem a apresentar níveis mais elevados de afeto positivo e, consequentemente, níveis mais elevados de satisfação com a prática. Os resultados sugerem que a versão brasileira do SMS-PA é uma medida apropriada do estado de mindfulness para atividades físicas.(AU)

La atención plena puede definirse como la atención y la conciencia en el momento presente con una actitud de apertura, no juicio y aceptación. La literatura sugiere que el mindfulness puede influir positivamente en las experiencias en el deporte y en la actividad física, además de desempeñar un papel en la adherencia a estas actividades. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar nuevas propiedades psicométricas de la State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) utilizando las teorías clásicas y modernas de las pruebas en practicantes de ejercicio físico y de deporte en Brasil. Para ello, se realizaron dos estudios. En el primer, participaron 617 practicantes de deporte brasileños, y el análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) demostró adecuación en la estructura bifactorial de la SMS-PA, compuesta por dos factores específicos (mindfulness mental y físico) y un factor general (estado de mindfulness), que mostró invarianza entre sexos. El Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM) corroboró la unidimensionalidad esencial indicada por el factor general con buenos índices de ajuste (infit/outfit 0,62-1,27). El modelo mostró un buen nivel de precisión de Rasch (.85), y la estimación de la dificultad de los ítems permitió comprender el continuo representado por el contenido de estos. En el segundo estudio, con 249 practicantes de deporte, el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales mostró que el mindfulness físico estaba asociado a resultados positivos (afecto positivo y satisfacción con la práctica). El análisis de mediación reveló que las personas con altos niveles de mindfulness físico tendían a tener mayores niveles de afecto positivo y, en consecuencia, mayores niveles de satisfacción con la práctica. Los resultados sugieren que la versión brasileña de la SMS-PA es una medida adecuada de mindfulness.(AU)

Single-lead ECG based autonomic nervous system assessment for meditation monitoring.

We propose a single-lead ECG-based heart rate variability (HRV) analysis algorithm to quantify autonomic nervous system activity during meditation. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) induced by breathing is a dominant component of HRV, but its frequency depends on an individual's breathing speed. To address this RSA issue, we designed a novel HRV tachogram decomposition algorithm and new HRV indices. The proposed method was validated by using a simulation, and applied to our experimental (mindfulness meditation) data and the WESAD open-source data. During meditation, our proposed HRV indices related to vagal and sympathetic tones were significantly increased (p < 0.000005) and decreased (p < 0.000005), respectively. These results were consistent with self-reports and experimental protocols, and identified parasympathetic activation and sympathetic inhibition during meditation. In conclusion, the proposed method successfully assessed autonomic nervous system activity during meditation when respiration influences disrupted classical HRV. The proposed method can be considered a reliable approach to quantify autonomic nervous system activity.

Psychological and Physiological Relaxation Using Yoga in Patients Undergoing Dental Implant Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial with Biomarker Assessment.

Scientific evidence on the benefits of yoga among patients undergoing dental implant surgery is sparse. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of performing yoga on the vital signs and salivary cortisol in patients undergoing dental implant surgery. This study was conducted in an outpatient prosthodontics clinic during June-July 2019 as a pilot outcome assessor-blinded randomized trial with parallel design. A total of 20 patients requiring dental implant surgery were divided into two groups, with 10 patients in each group. Control group patients underwent implant surgery without yoga. In the intervention group, patients were trained to perform yoga, which included breathing exercises and meditation practiced for 10 minutes, and then underwent implant surgery. Vital signs (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) and salivary cortisol were recorded before (baseline) and after (post-surgery) implant surgery in both groups. There was no significant difference in the baseline values between the control and intervention groups. Mean vital sign and salivary cortisol values significantly increased from baseline to post-surgery in the control group. All vital signs except salivary cortisol significantly decreased from baseline to postsurgery in the yoga intervention group. Heart rate and temperature showed significant decreases in postsurgery values between the control and intervention groups. There was no significant correlation between vital signs and salivary cortisol at baseline and postsurgery between the control and intervention groups. This study provides preliminary evidence for the beneficial effects of yoga in reducing anxiety and stress in those undergoing dental implant surgery.

Passion and risk of addiction in experienced female yoga practitioners.

Yoga is a popular leisure activity and health practice worldwide, especially among women. It could become a long-term lifestyle involving passion, but, like other exercises, it may become addictive. While exercise addiction is widely studied, addiction to yoga remains unexplored. In this cross-sectional study, we examined 215 highly experienced women who practiced yoga for at least three years and at least twice weekly. We scrutinized harmonious passion (HP), obsessive passion (OP), risk of exercise addiction (REA), and various yoga-related measures. Only 2/215 (0.93%) of the sample were at REA. Reported HP, OP, feeling guilty when missing a yoga session, and the tendency to practice yoga when injured predicted the REA by accounting for 42% of the variance. Yogis who regularly practiced pranayama (breathing exercises) scored higher on HP, weekly yoga practice, and posting messages on social media than those who never or seldom used breath regulation. Participants choose yoga primarily for health and social reasons. The posting of yoga-related messages on social media was positively related to HP, OP, REA, and frequency of practice. The conclusions of this study are 1) the REA among experienced female yogis is negligible, 2) HP is higher in yoga forms that involve pranayama, 3) yoga practice is primarily related to health and social factors, and 4) a more intense passion for yoga is related to more frequent social media activities.

The Yoga Instructor Beliefs Scales Epistemic (YIBS-E) and Pedagogic (YIBS-P): Development and Initial Assessment of the Factor Structure.

Yoga is a multidimensional and heterogeneous mind-body practice led by a therapist or teacher (e.g., yoga instructor). Although they constitute an integral part of delivery, content, and curriculum, factors that influence yoga instructors' choices have yet to be explored. Using a mixed methods sequential design for development of an instrument that identifies measurable epistemic (YIBS-E) and pedagogic (YIBS-P) beliefs, the Yoga Instructor Beliefs Scale (YIBS) reports validity evidence from four distinct phases. Phase I presents qualitative findings from literature-informed semistructured interviews to give a comprehensive construct model of yoga instructor beliefs from diverse styles/ schools/lineages of yoga (nine content-specific clusters). In Phase II, focus group panels of experts evaluated construct novelty and importance of themes, resulting in a pool of potential questionnaire items. Phase III employed cognitive interviews to assess the perceived meaning and clarity of using the preliminary YIBS items. Phase IV included exploratory factor analysis and correlational analyses using 204 yoga instructor responses, suggesting a 44-item instrument with distinct epistemic (Experiential, Energetic, Systems-Based, Affectual, Mindful, and Physical) and pedagogic (Curricular Integration, Student Awareness, Accessibility, and Differentiated Instruction) factors (YIBS- E α = 0.90, YIBS-P α = 0.85). Measurable belief constructs can inform research on individual yoga instructor differences that may influence curriculum content choices and delivery. The purpose of this instrument is to enable research linking instructor beliefs to the presence of various components of a yoga program and to contextualize defining qualities of yoga programs. Long-term use of this instrument should enable in-depth analyses such as mediation or moderation of yoga instructor beliefs on intervention components/content or outcomes.

Mindfulness and music interventions in the workplace: assessment of sustained attention and working memory using a crowdsourcing approach.

BACKGROUND: Occupational stress has huge financial as well as human costs. Application of crowdsourcing might be a way to strengthen the investigation of occupational mental health. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess Danish employees' stress and cognition by relying on a crowdsourcing approach, as well as investigating the effect of a 30-day mindfulness and music intervention. METHODS: We translated well-validated neuropsychological laboratory- and task-based paradigms into an app-based platform using cognitive games measuring sustained attention and working memory and measuring stress via. Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. A total of 623 healthy volunteers from Danish companies participated in the study and were randomized into three groups, which consisted of a 30-day intervention of either mindfulness or music, or a non-intervention control group. RESULTS: Participants in the mindfulness group showed a significant improvement in the coefficient of sustained attention, working memory capacity and perceived stress (p < .001). The music group showed a 38% decrease of self-perceived stress. The control group showed no difference from pre to post in the survey or cognitive outcome measures. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between usage of the mindfulness and music app and elevated score on both the cognitive games and the perceived stress scale. CONCLUSION: The study supports the nascent field of crowdsourcing by being able to replicate data collected in previous well-controlled laboratory studies from a range of experimental cognitive tasks, making it an effective alternative. It also supports mindfulness as an effective intervention in improving mental health in the workplace.

Meditation-based lifestyle modification in mild to moderate depression-A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is a global key challenge in mental health care. The implementation of effective, low-risk and cost-effective interventions to reduce its disease burden is a necessity. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the new Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) program, a "second-generation" mindfulness-based intervention, in depressive outpatients. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with mild to moderate depression were randomized into three groups: intervention group (MBLM), control group (CONTROL), and treatment as usual group (TAU). The primary outcome was the change of depressive symptoms as administered by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) after 4 and 8 weeks. Secondary outcome variables included the Brief Symptom Checklist-18 and the Perceived Stress Scale-10. A 6-month follow-up was conducted. RESULTS: A greater reduction of depressive symptoms was found in MBLM participants compared to CONTROL (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.11, d = 0.70) and TAU ( p<.001,ηp2=0.10,d=0.67$p\lt .001,{\eta }_{{\rm{p}}}^{2}=0.10,d=0.67$ ) with a 13.15 points reduction of BDI-II score versus 1.71 points (CONTROL) and 3.34 points (TAU) after 8 weeks. Between-group post hoc tests for all secondary outcomes and at follow-up also yielded significant between-group differences with medium to large effect sizes in favor of MBLM. CONCLUSIONS: Study results showed beneficial effects of MBLM in depressed outpatients. Further high-quality controlled clinical studies including qualitative research are needed to investigate the specific and unspecific effects of the MBLM program in depression and other medical conditions.

Costs associated with treatment of insomnia in Alzheimer's disease caregivers: a comparison of mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Among the over 5 million informal caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the United States (US), over 60% experience insomnia. Research on insomnia treatment efficacy in AD caregivers is limited. An ongoing randomized non-inferiority clinical trial, the Caregiver Sleep Research study, is evaluating whether mindfulness meditation is non-inferior to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in the treatment of insomnia in AD caregivers. The present report examines estimated intervention costs in this ongoing trial. METHODS: Micro-costing was used to itemize and abstract costs of the two interventions: a mindfulness-based intervention known as mindful awareness practices for insomnia (MAP-I); and CBT-I. This approach involves collecting detailed data on resources utilized and the unit costs of those resources, thereby revealing actual resource use and economic costs for each treatment arm. Personnel time, patient time, and supplies were inventoried, and unit costs were applied. Caregiver time costs, including travel, were based on US Labor Bureau home-health aide national mean hourly wages; instructor/staff costs were based on hourly wages. Per-participant and program costs were calculated assuming individual- and group-delivery to reflect real-world implementation. Sensitivity analyses evaluated robustness of estimates. RESULTS: From the societal perspective, per-participant MAP-I costs were $1884 for individual and $1377 for group delivery; for CBT-I, these costs were $3978 and $1981, respectively. Compared with CBT-I, MAP-I provided cost savings of $2094 (53%) and $604 (30%) per treated caregiver for individual and group delivery, respectively. From the US healthcare system perspective, MAP-I vs. CBT-I participant savings were $1872 (65%) for individual and $382 (44%) for group interventions, respectively. For MAP-I and CBT-I, instructor in-class time was the highest cost component. Results were most sensitive to combined instructor time costs. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of insomnia with MAP-I, compared to CBT-I, yields substantial cost savings for society and the healthcare system. With this potential for cost savings, results of the ongoing non-inferiority trial have critical implications for insomnia treatment dissemination and its benefits to AD caregivers and other community populations with insomnia.

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact of mindfulness-based yoga among Hispanic/Latinx adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The Hispanic/Latinx population constitutes the fastest growing ethnic/racial minority group in the United States (U.S.). Compared to their non-Hispanic/Latinx White counterparts, Hispanic/Latinx youth experience more depression and anxiety, and have more unmet mental health needs (88% vs 76%). Emerging research supports the psychological and physical benefits of mind-body awareness training to enhance well-being and mental health, but almost no studies have recruited ethnic/racial minority samples. PURPOSE: The current study examined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact of a mindfulness-based yoga program among Hispanic/Latinx public high school students. PROCEDURES: Participants (N = 187) were recruited from a local public high school in a large multi-ethnic urban school district in the Southeast U.S. and participated in 6 weekly hour-long sessions of mindfulness-based yoga. Participants completed assessments at pretest and one month after program completion. MAIN FINDINGS: The sample was predominantly Hispanic/Latinx (95%) and female (64%), on average 15.2 years old (SD = 1.3), and 51% were born outside the U.S. Participants reported on average a 14.2% reduction in depressive symptoms (pretest mean = 5.51, posttest mean = 4.73, p = .032, Cohen's d = 0.2), a 14.9% reduction in anxiety symptoms (pretest mean = 9.90, posttest mean = 8.42, p = .005, Cohen's d = 0.2), and a 21.9% reduction in stress (pretest mean = 9.66, posttest mean = 7.54, p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.5). CONCLUSION: These findings provide support for the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based yoga program for Hispanic/Latinx adolescents, a medically underrepresented group experiencing significant mental health disparities.

Stress Reduction to Decrease Hypertension for Black Women: A Scoping Review of Trials and Interventions.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic stress is a potential root cause of racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease. This review assesses literature surrounding effective stressreduction interventions to reduce hypertension (HTN)-a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor-among an understudied population, non-Hispanic black (NHB) women. METHODS: We conducted an electronic search of PubMed and PsycINFO literature published between January 1, 2000 and February 1, 2020, employing the keywords: "blood pressure", "hypertension", and "women", "black", "African-American", "stress", "meditation", "stress-coping", "stress-management", and "faith-based". We manually searched the bibliographies for additional articles. Studies were excluded if they: were published before 2000; were not intervention-based; did not study Black women in the US; did not target stress reduction; or did not measure blood pressure as an outcome. Independent reviewers screened the articles, which were selected based on consensus. Effect sizes and statistical p values were reported as provided in the included articles. RESULTS: We identified 109 articles in total. Of those, six articles met inclusion criteria. Stronger evidence presented by a randomized control trial supported the efficacy of transcendental meditation with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure up to 7 mmHg. Relaxation exercises, support groups, and therapeutic massage emerged as potentially beneficial in non-randomized pilot trials with reductions in systolic BP up to 9 mmHg and diastolic BP up to 5 mmHg varying by type and duration of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review found that faith-based strategies and meditation can be effective stress reduction techniques to reduce BP among NHB women. However, much remains to be known about how these strategies may be leveraged to reduce blood pressure within this highly vulnerable population.

Espaço multipics: a utilização das práticas integrativas e complementares como estratégia de cuidado na atenção à saúde do trabalhador / Multipics Space: the use of integrative and complementary practices as a strategy of care in the care of workers' health / Espacio multipics: el uso de prácticas integradoras y complementarias como estrategia de atención en el cuidado de la salud de los trabajadores

Introdução:As Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde foram regulamentadas no Sistema Único de Saúde,através da portaria nº 971/2006 que aprova a implantação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares, com o objetivo de garantir cuidado continuado,humanizado e integral em saúde,com ênfase na atenção primária. Objetivo:Relatar a experiência vivenciada por uma equipe de Residentes Multiprofissionais em Saúde, através do espaço de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares de uma Unidade Hospitalar na região do Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte. Metodologia:Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa do tipo relato de experiência,desenvolvido a partir da vivência de uma equipe de Residentes em Atenção Básica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, atuantes no município de Caicó, em parceria com o Hospital Regional do Seridó. As ações foram realizadas durante os meses de março e abril de 2021. As práticas desenvolvidas foram ventosaterapia, musicoterapia, arteterapia, meditação guiada e aromaterapia. Após as práticas foi aplicado um questionário semi-estruturado, sobre seu conhecimento sobre tais práticas exercidas, nível de satisfação e uma descrição subjetiva da experiência e estado atual pós-prática. Resultados:Participaram das ações propostas 57 profissionais, dentre eles (84,21%) mulheres e (15,79%) homens, de vários setores da unidade hospitalar. 10,53% relataram desconhecer as práticas de um modo geral e 89,47% relataram não conhecer as práticas que foram ofertadas. De acordo com a pesquisa de satisfação, 98,25% dos profissionais relataram sentir-se "muito satisfeitos" e "satisfeitos", enquanto somente 1,75% consideraram as práticas "neutras". Os profissionais referiram, também, sensação de harmonia, bem-estar e de paz interior. Conclusões:Por meio da atuação foi possível ofertar um momento de relaxamento no ambiente de trabalho. Obteve-se após a prática um feedback positivo dos participantes sobre os resultados dessa atuação acerca do seu bem-estar (AU).

Introduction:Integrative and Complementary Health Practices were regulated in the Unified Health System, through Ordinance No. 971/2006 that approves the implementation of the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices, with the objective of ensuring continued, humanized and comprehensive health care, with emphasis on primary care. Objective:To report the experience experienced by a team of Multiprofessional Health Residents, through the space of Integrative and Complementary Practices in a Hospital Unit in the Seridó region, Rio Grande do Norte. Methodology:This is a descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach to the type of experience report,developed from the experience of a team of Residents in Primary Care of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, working in the municipality of Caicó in partnership with the Regional Hospital of Seridó. The actions were carried out during the months of March and April 2021. The practices developed were suction cup therapy, music therapy, art therapy, guided meditation and aromatherapy. After the practices, a semi-structured questionnaire was applied about their knowledge about the practices, level of satisfaction and a subjective description of the experience and current state after practice. Results:57 professionals participated in the proposed actions, including (84.21%) women and (15.79%) men, from various sectors of the hospital unit. 10.53% reported not knowing the practices in general and 89.47% reported not knowing the practices that were offered. According to the satisfaction survey, 98.25% of the professionals reported feeling "very satisfied" and "satisfied", while only 1.75% considered the practices "neutral". The professionals also mentioned a sense of harmony, well-being and inner peace. Conclusions:Through the performance it was possible to offer a moment of relaxation in the work environment. After the practice, positive feedback from the participants on the results of this performance about their well-being was obtained after practice.

Introducción:Las Prácticas de Salud Integradoras y Complementarias fueron reguladas en el Sistema Único de Salud, con el objetivo de garantizar una atención de salud continúa, humanizada e integral, con énfasis en la atención primaria. Objetivo: Relatar la experiencia experimentada por un equipo de Residentes de Salud Multiprofesional, a través del espacio Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias en una Unidad Hospitalaria en la región del Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo y cualitativo,desarrollado a partir de la experiencia de un equipo de Residentes en Atención Primaria de la Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, trabajando en el Hospital Regional de Seridó. Las actuaciones se llevaron a cabo durante los meses de marzo y abril de 2021 a través del espacio. Las prácticas desarrolladas fueron terapia de ventosas, musicoterapia, arteterapia, meditación guiada y aromaterapia. Después de las prácticas, se aplicó un cuestionario semiestructurado sobre sus conocimientos sobre las praticas, el nivel de satisfacción y una descripción subjetiva de la experiencia y el estado actual después de la práctica. Resultados: 57 profesionales participaron en las acciones propuestas, entre ellas (84,21%) mujeres y (15,79%) hombres, de diversos sectores de la unidad hospitalaria. 10,53% reportaron no conocer las prácticas en general y 89,47% reportaron no conocer las prácticas que se ofrecieron. Según la encuesta de satisfacción, 98,25% de los profesionales dijeron sentirse "muy satisfechos" y "satisfechos", mientras que sólo 1,75% consideraron las prácticas "neutras". Los profesionales también mencionaron una sensación de armonía, bienestar y paz interior. Conclusiones:A través de la actuación fue posible ofrecer un momento de relajación en el ambiente de trabajo. Después de la práctica, se obtuvo retroalimentación positiva de los participantes sobre los resultados de este desempeño sobre su bienestar después de la práctica (AU).

Evaluating the feasibility of a consumer-grade wearable EEG headband to aid assessment of state and trait mindfulness.

OBJECTIVES: Measures from wearable devices could be a valuable supplement to mindfulness assessment and intervention. This observational study evaluated measures from a consumer-grade EEG headband (Muse, InteraXon, Inc.) as novel correlates of state mindfulness during focused attention meditation. METHODS: Adult participants (N = 68, M age = 22.66, SD age = 7.35) completed a task-based measure of state mindfulness and thought probe measures of subjective mind wandering while meditating with the EEG headband. A subset completed 14 days of home practice (n = 29). RESULTS: Device measures were sensitive to attention lapses within-participants in the state mindfulness task (d = 0.56) and had large between-participants associations for the same task (r = -0.50). Mean device metrics from home practice together explained approximately 30% of variance in self-reported trait mindfulness, attentional control, nonattachment, and decentering. CONCLUSION: EEG biomarkers show potential as correlates of mindfulness with distinct benefits over existing assessment methods.

Standardized stress reduction interventions and blood pressure habituation: Secondary results from a randomized controlled trial.

Meta-analyses suggest a small association between cardiovascular responses to acute stressors and cardiovascular disease, but a recent review suggests that this effect may be underestimated due to insufficient consideration of individual differences in habituation to repeated stressors. OBJECTIVE: The present article reports new analyses of a published randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a passive control condition on blood pressure habituation-a secondary outcome. Psychological mediators of intervention effects were examined. METHOD: Participants (138 healthy adults reporting moderate/high stress) were randomly assigned to 6-week MBSR, CBT, or a waitlist control. Analyses were conducted on 86 participants who subsequently completed stressful speech and mental arithmetic tasks during two posttreatment visits scheduled 48 hr apart. Blood pressure was measured -15, +0, +5, +10, +25, +35, and +60 min poststressor onset. RESULTS: There were no between-condition differences in blood pressure habituation (all ps > .05). However, both MBSR and CBT led to increased perceived control over thoughts, F(2, 72) = 5.20, p = .008, and individuals who displayed a greater change in perceived control over thoughts also displayed greater habituation to the speech portion of the stressor, F(6, 799) = 2.32, p = .020. Results implied an indirect effect of stress reduction interventions on blood pressure habituation via change in perceived control over thoughts (b = -3.93, SE = 1.98, 95% CI: [-8.392, -0.701]). CONCLUSION: Stress reduction interventions that increase perceived control over thoughts may benefit cardiovascular health by promoting blood pressure habituation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Being Seen by the Doctor: A Meditation on Power, Institutional Racism, and Medical Ethics.

The following pages sketch the outlines of "a Canaanite reading" of the health system. Beginning with the Black person-African, Afro-diasporic, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander-who is seen by a health professional, the functions and effects of the racializing gaze are examined. I wrestle with Al Saji's understanding of "colonial disregard," Whittaker's insights into the extractive disposition of settler institutions vis-à-vis Indigenous peoples, and Saidiya Hartman and Fred Moten's struggle with the spectacular. This leads me to conclude that the situation of the Black within the health system is a tragic one. The prescription for the path out of this tragedy that I settle on, responding to Okiji's opening call, is found in Vernon Ah Kee's "Unwritten" series.

Predictors of Out-of-Class Mindfulness Practice Adherence During and After a Mindfulness-Based Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Out-of-class mindfulness meditation practice is a health behavior that is considered to be a crucial ingredient in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), yet participant adherence to practice recommendations is often inconsistent. Furthermore, MBIs may enhance factors that lead to greater adherence to medical regimens in other contexts. This study examined baseline factors previously found to relate to adherence to medical regimen, MBI-related changes in these baseline factors, and treatment-related factors as predictors of meditation adherence in an 8-week MBI. METHODS: Baseline traits (personality, depressive symptoms, and executive function) were entered into regression models (n = 96) to predict intervention and postintervention out-of-class meditation adherence. Trait changes and treatment-related factors were entered into models to predict postintervention meditation adherence. RESULTS: Baseline conscientiousness (ß = 0.33, p = .002), openness (ß = 0.23, p = .019), and depressive symptoms (ß = 0.19, p = .042) predicted intervention meditation adherence, whereas conscientiousness (ß = 0.21, p = .044) and depressive symptoms (ß = 0.22, p = .020) predicted postintervention meditation adherence. Although all trait variables except for agreeableness changed significantly pre-to-post intervention, these changes did not predict postintervention meditation adherence. Retreat attendance (ß = 0.38, p = .029) and instructor/group-related therapeutic factors collectively predicted postintervention meditation adherence (R2 = 0.21, p = .019). CONCLUSIONS: The identified baseline trait factors could be used to increase adherence in these interventions as a method of increasing their effectiveness. An emphasis on the MBI retreat and social factors during the intervention may be important for participant out-of-class practice postintervention.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.govNCT01831362.

A Longitudinal Training Study to Delineate the Specific Causal Effects of Open Monitoring Versus Focused Attention Techniques on Emotional Health.

BACKGROUND: Emotional dysregulation is a core mechanism of mood disorders. Meditation-based interventions can ameliorate a wide range of psychological problems. However, in order to develop structured treatment and preventative protocols for emotional disorders, it is crucial to understand how different types of specific meditation practices improve emotion regulation abilities. Mindfulness-based techniques are broadly separated into two practices - open monitoring (OM) and focused attention (FA). This study directly investigated the potential practice-specific benefits of OM versus FA techniques as tools for improving emotion regulation skills from pre-to-post training. METHOD: Novice participants were randomized into an 8-week long OM or FA intervention that was previously developed through a science of behavior change approach. Healthy emotional skills were assessed using experience sampling methodology and inventories. Participants were assessed before, during, and after the interventions to investigate if the type of training may explain longitudinal changes in emotional skills. RESULTS: Both OM and FA attentional training practices improved acceptance of stressors and reduced distress and rumination. We also found divergent effects of OM versus FA training: Compared to OM, FA training improved abilities to use reappraisal strategy to regulate emotions in naturalistic settings at the end of 8-weeks training. FA training (versus OM) also led to greater self-regulation abilities. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a FA training has specific causal impacts on emotion regulatory skills, and it can be selectively implemented in interventions to target emotional disorders.