ABSTRACT
Training in emotional regulation skills is one of the most important resources for the adaptation of athletes to contexts of sports pressure, especially during competitions. This study explored the effects of a mindfulness programme (Flow Meditation) on levels of impulsivity, mood and pre-competition anxiety-state in a sample of athletes (N = 41, 22.83 ± 5.62 years). Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (N = 21; 14 males and 7 females) which received the intervention over 10 weeks (a weekly session) and a control group (wait-list; N = 20; 13 males and 7 females). The variables under study were assessed through different questionnaires at pre- and post-test (T1-T2) in both groups. The mindfulness intervention was effective in reducing impulsivity (cognitive (t = -4.48, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.40), both motor (t = -4.03, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.20) and unplanned (t = -5.32, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.66)), mood (tension (t = -4.40, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.37), depression (t = -4.56, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.42), anger (t = -7.80, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.47), somatic anxiety (t = -5.28, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.65), and cognitive anxiety (t = -6.62, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.07) in the intervention group compared to the control group and with large to very large effect sizes. Mindfulness is a factor that enhances athletes' ability to cope with high sport pressure and the healthy management of competition (e.g., fear of failure), or with their daily life.
ABSTRACT
The present study explored the effects of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention known as flow meditation (Meditación-Fluir) in the improvement of healthy life behaviors. A sample of university students (n = 51) in Spain were randomly assigned to a seven-week mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures including healthy eating habits (balanced diet, intake rate, snacking between meals, decrease in consumption by negative emotional states, increased consumption by negative emotional states, amount of consumption, meal times, consumption of low-fat products), tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption, and resting habits. There were differences between males and females in some of these variables and a better effect of the treatment was evident in the females of the experimental group when compared to the males. The flow meditation program shows promise for fostering a healthy lifestyle, thus decreasing behaviors related to maladaptive eating, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption as well as negative rest habits in university students. This mindfulness program could significantly contribute to the treatment of eating disorders and addictions, wherein negative emotional states and impulsivity are central features of the condition.
Subject(s)
Diet, Healthy/psychology , Eating/psychology , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/therapy , Food Addiction/therapy , Health Promotion/methods , Healthy Lifestyle , Meditation/methods , Mindfulness/methods , Students/psychology , Universities , Adult , Emotions , Feeding Behavior/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Meditation/psychology , Sex Characteristics , Spain , Young AdultABSTRACT
Resumen En este estudio experimental se presentan los resultados de un programa psicoeducativo de mindfulness sobre la motivación del logro y motivación para el aprendizaje aplicado a una muestra de estudiantes inmigrantes de origen latinoamericano que viven en el sureste español. La muestra se compone de 50 estudiantes, de los cuales 25 forman el grupo experimental y 25 el grupo de control. El programa de intervención se llevó a cabo durante 10 semanas. Los resultados muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en la variable motivación de logro y en tres de las seis dimensiones de la variable motivación para el aprendizaje (autoeficacia, control y ansiedad). El estudio confirma la eficacia del programa de mindfulness para mejorar los niveles de motivación del logro y la motivación para el aprendizaje en los jóvenes latinoamericanos procedentes de la inmigración. Se destaca la conveniencia de la utilización de estos programas dentro del currículum educativo.
Abstract In this experimental study, we present the results of a mindfulness psycho-educational program on achievement motivation and motivation for learning applied to a sample of immigrant students of Latin American origin living in southeastern Spain. The sample consists of 50 students, of which 25 form the experimental group and 25 the control group. The intervention program was carried out for 10 weeks. The results show statistically significant differences between both groups in motivation for achievement and in three of the six dimensions of motivation for learning (self-efficacy, control and anxiety). The study confirms the effectiveness of the mindfulness program to improve the levels of achievement motivation and motivation for learning in Latin American youth immigrants. The convenience of using these programs within the educational curriculum is highlighted.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Students/psychology , Emigrants and Immigrants/psychology , Mindfulness/methods , Motivation , Achievement , Spain , Case-Control Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Analysis of Variance , Latin America , LearningABSTRACT
The purpose of this research was to verify, in a group of psychology students, whether mindfulness training in conjunction with the individual's level of self-regulation behavior would produce a change in the use of coping strategies. A total of 38 students participated in this study, with one experimental group and one control group, in a randomized controlled trial. Observation of the experimental group revealed a significant decrease in specific emotion-focused, negative coping strategies (preparing for the worst, resigned acceptance, emotional venting, and isolation), and a significant increase in specific problem-focused, positive coping (positive reappraisal and firmness, self-talk, help for action), in combination with students' existing low-medium-high level of self-regulation. The importance and usefulness of mindfulness techniques in Higher Education is discussed, in conjunction with differences in university students' level of self-regulation behavior.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Mindfulness , Self-Control , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Emotions , Female , Humans , Male , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex psychosomatic pain condition. In addition to generalized pain and various cognitive difficulties, new FMS diagnostic criteria acknowledge fatigue and sleep problems as core aspects of this condition. Indeed, poor sleep quality has been found to be a significant predictor of pain, fatigue, and maladaptive social functioning in this patient group. While there is promising evidence supporting the role of mindfulness as a treatment for FMS, to date, mindfulness intervention studies have principally focused on dimensions of pain as the primary outcome with sleep problems either not being assessed or included as a secondary consideration. Given the role of sleep problems in the pathogenesis of FMS, and given that mindfulness has been shown to improve sleep problems in other clinical conditions, the present study explored the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention known as Flow Meditation (Meditación-Fluir) on a range of sleep-related outcomes (subjective insomnia, sleep quality, sleepiness, and sleep impairment) in individuals with FMS. Adult women with FMS (n = 39) were randomly assigned to the 7 weeks mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures and that the intervention effects were maintained at a 3 month follow-up assessment. The Meditación-Fluir program shows promise for alleviating sleep problems relating to FMS and may thus have a role in the treatment of FMS as well as other pain disorders in which sleep impairment is a central feature of the condition.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to analyze the effects of a mindfulness training program on anxiety, worry, and geriatric depression in a sample of older adults. A randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest measurements was used on an experimental group (n = 42) and a control group (waiting list; n = 45). Participants in the experimental group completed the Short Cognitive Examination, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Analyses showed significantly stronger reductions in geriatric depression, anxiety and worry in the experimental group than in the control group, confirming the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques in reducing these conditions and, especially, for the trait-worry variable, followed by important changes in anxiety, depression and meta-worry. This is one of the few studies examining the effects of mindfulness training in the elderly. Results are especially noteworthy because traits are quite resistant to change. Implications for future research and intervention are underlined.
Se analizan los efectos de un programa de entrenamiento en mindfulness en la ansiedad, la preocupación y la depresión en una muestra de adultos mayores en este estudio controlado y aleatorizado con medidas pretrest-posttest con un grupo experimental (n = 42) y control (lista de espera; n = 42). El grupo experimental completó el Mini-Examen cognitivo, el Inventario de Preocupación de Pensilvania, y la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica. Se obtuvieron mayores reducciones significativas en este grupo comparado con el grupo control, confirmándose la efectividad de las técnicas de mindfulness en la reducción de estos transtornos y, especialmente, en la variable preocupación de rasgo, seguida de importantes cambios en ansiedad, depresión y metapreocupación. Este es uno de los pocos estudios que examinan los efectos del entrenamiento en mindfulness en la tercera edad. Los resultados son especialmente importantes porque los rasgos son resistentes al cambio. Se destacan implicaciones para la investigación futura e intervención.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aged/psychology , Anxiety Disorders/therapy , Depression/therapy , Mindfulness/methods , Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis , Depression/diagnosis , Meditation , Psychometrics , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of a mindfulness training psycho-educative program on impulsivity and aggression levels in a sample of high school students. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with pre-test-post-test measurements was applied to an experimental group and a control group (waiting list). The Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) Patton et al. (1995) and the Aggression Questionnaire (Buss and Perry, 1992) were used. Results: Statistical analyses showed a significant decrease in the levels of impulsivity and aggressiveness in the experimental group compared with the control group. These results have important implications for improving the level of academic engagement and self-efficacy of students and for reducing school failure. Conclusion: This is one of the first studies showing the effectiveness of mindfulness training at reducing impulsive and aggressive behaviors in the classroom. The efficacy of mindfulness-based programs is emphasized.
ABSTRACT
Fibromyalgia is a disabling syndrome. Results obtained with different therapies are very limited to date. The goal of this study was to verify whether the application of a mindfulness-based training program was effective in modifying anger, anxiety, and depression levels in a group of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. This study is an experimental trial that employed a waiting list control group. Measures were taken at three different times: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The statistical analyses revealed a significant reduction of anger (trait) levels, internal expression of anger, state anxiety, and depression in the experimental group as compared to the control group, as well as a significant increase in internal control of anger. It can be concluded that the mindfulness-based treatment was effective after 7 weeks. These results were maintained 3 months after the end of the intervention.
ABSTRACT
Teachers constitute one of the professional collectives most affected by psychological problems. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to examine the efficacy of a mindfulness training programme to reduce psychological distress in a group of teachers. The sample comprised 68 teachers of Secondary School Education, from various public schools; half of them formed the experimental group, and the another half the control group. The levels of psychological distress were measured, in both groups, by the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) before and after the application of the programme. Statistical analysis shows the significant reduction of three general measures of psychological distress (Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index, and Positive Symptom Total), as well in all its dimensions (somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensibility, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism), in the experimental group compared with the control group. Follow-up measures show that these results were maintained for four months after termination of the intervention in the experimental group (AU)
Los docentes constituyen uno de los colectivos profesionales más afectados por problemas de tipo psicológico. El objetivo de este estudio cuasi-experimental es examinar la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento en mindfulness para reducir el malestar psicológico en un grupo de docentes. La muestra estuvo constituida por 68 profesores de Educación Secundaria, de varios centros públicos; la mitad de ellos formaron el grupo control, y la otra mitad el grupo experimental. Los niveles de malestar psicológico fueron evaluados, en ambos grupos, mediante el Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL- 90-R) antes y después de aplicación del programa. Los análisis estadísticos muestran la reducción significativa en las tres medidas generales de malestar psicológico (Índice de Severidad Global, Índice de Distrés de Síntomas Positivos y Total de Síntomas Positivos), así como en todas sus dimensiones (somatización, obsesión-compulsión, sensibilidad interpersonal, depresión, ansiedad, hostilidad, ansiedad fóbica, ideación paranoide y psicoticismo), en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control. Medidas de seguimiento mostraron que estos resultados se mantuvieron transcurridos cuatro meses tras la finalización de la intervención en el grupo experimental (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Education/organization & administration , Education/statistics & numerical data , Education/standards , Somatoform Disorders/psychology , Somatoform Disorders/therapy , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/psychology , Faculty/statistics & numerical data , Faculty , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/epidemiology , 28599ABSTRACT
Teachers constitute one of the professional collectives most affected by psychological problems. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to examine the efficacy of a mindfulness training programme to reduce psychological distress in a group of teachers. The sample comprised 68 teachers of Secondary School Education, from various public schools; half of them formed the experimental group, and the another half the control group. The levels of psychological distress were measured, in both groups, by the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) before and after the application of the programme. Statistical analysis shows the significant reduction of three general measures of psychological distress (Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index, and Positive Symptom Total), as well in all its dimensions (somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensibility, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism), in the experimental group compared with the control group. Follow-up measures show that these results were maintained for four months after termination of the intervention in the experimental group.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety/therapy , Burnout, Professional/psychology , Burnout, Professional/therapy , Depression/psychology , Depression/therapy , Meditation/psychology , Occupational Diseases/psychology , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Stress, Psychological/complications , Teaching , Adult , Exercise/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Personality Inventory/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics , SpainABSTRACT
Introducción. En este estudio se analizan los efectos que un programa basado en la conciencia plena (mindfulness) puede tener sobre los niveles de malestar psicológico y de sobrecarga en familiares cuidadores principales de enfermos con demencia tipo Alzheimer. Material y métodos. Para ello, se realizó un diseño cuasiexperimental de comparación de grupos con medición pretest-postest-seguimiento, con un grupo experimental y un grupo control. Como instrumentos de evaluación se utilizaron el Cuestionario SCL-90-R y la Escala de Sobrecarga del cuidador. Resultados. Los análisis estadísticos realizados muestran una reducción significativa en los 3 índices generales y en las diversas dimensiones del malestar psicológico, así como en la variable sobrecarga del cuidador en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control una vez finalizada la intervención. Sin embargo, las mejoras obtenidas en el grupo experimental se vieron reducidas en la evaluación de seguimiento realizada 4 meses después de finalizada la intervención, ya que se obtuvieron puntuaciones significativamente más altas en todas las dimensiones en comparación con las puntuaciones medias postest. Conclusiones. Estos resultados son acordes con otras investigaciones donde se ha comprobado que las intervenciones realizadas con cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer suelen ser efectivas a corto plazo, pero que sus efectos se diluyen con el paso del tiempo, por lo que se hace necesario el establecimiento de medidas y de políticas de atención a estos cuidadores que permitan mantener los efectos beneficiosos de las intervenciones destinadas a reducir sus niveles de malestar psicológico y de sobrecarga(AU)
Introduction. This study analyzes the effects that a mindfulness development meditation program has on psychological discomfort and overload in main family caregivers of Alzheimer dementia patients. Material and methods. A quasi-experimental (group comparison) design with pretest/post-test/follow-up measurements was employed in an experimental and a control group. The evaluation instruments used were the SCL-90-R Questionnaire and the Caregiver Overload Scale. Results. The statistical analyses done show a significant reduction in the three general indices and in the various dimensions of psychological discomfort, as well as in the caregiver overload variable in the experimental group compared to the control group at the end of the intervention. However, the improvements found in the experimental group were lower in the follow-up evaluation done four months after intervention, with significantly higher scores than in post-test in all the dimensions. Conclusions. These results are in agreement with other studies in which it was found that intervention for Alzheimer caregivers is effective in the short term, but the effect becomes diluted over time, so measurements and policies for these caregivers have to enable the beneficial effects of intervention reducing psychological discomfort and overload to be maintained(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Alzheimer Disease/epidemiology , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Conscience , Consciousness/physiology , Family/psychology , Family Health , Caregivers/psychology , Anxiety/complications , Anxiety Disorders/complications , 28599 , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health of Institutionalized Elderly , Health Services for the AgedABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study analyzes the effects that a mindfulness development meditation program has on psychological discomfort and overload in main family caregivers of Alzheimer dementia patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental (group comparison) design with pretest/post-test/follow-up measurements was employed in an experimental and a control group. The evaluation instruments used were the SCL-90-R Questionnaire and the Caregiver Overload Scale. RESULTS: The statistical analyses done show a significant reduction in the three general indices and in the various dimensions of psychological discomfort, as well as in the caregiver overload variable in the experimental group compared to the control group at the end of the intervention. However, the improvements found in the experimental group were lower in the follow-up evaluation done four months after intervention, with significantly higher scores than in post-test in all the dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: These results are in agreement with other studies in which it was found that intervention for Alzheimer caregivers is effective in the short term, but the effect becomes diluted over time, so measurements and policies for these caregivers have to enable the beneficial effects of intervention reducing psychological discomfort and overload to be maintained.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Caregivers , Family Health , Meditation , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkloadABSTRACT
The protective effect of inhaled anticholinergic drugs in the methacholine-induced bronchospasm is well-known. The objective of this study was to assess if any possible differences may be found among Ipratropium (IB), Oxitropium (OXI) and Tiotropium (TIO) pre-treatments to obtain the protective effect. Forty-four patients with intermittent bronchial asthma and PD(20)FEV(1) < 200 microg were selected (24 M, 20 F; mean age 32 +/- 8.8). On the baseline, they had mean FEV(1)%: 98.8 +/- 8.54 of theoretical and mean PD(15)FEV(1) 111.8 +/- 61.04 microg. After 72 hours, all patients underwent a second methacholine challenge and were given Ipratropium (40 microg by MDI in 14 pts) or Oxitropium (200 microg by MDI in 14 pts) or Tiotropium (18 microg by Handihaler in 16 pts) sixty minutes before the test. Sixty minutes after the bronchodilator inhalation, the FEV(1)% increase was higher (p < 0.05) in OXI (6.7 +/- 4.83%) and TIO groups (6.11 +/- 2.54%) than in the IB group (3.8 +/- 1.96%). In the IB group PD(15)FEV(1) and PD(20)FEV(1) were obtained in all patients, while in the OXI group they were obtained in 12 and 5 pts respectively and in the TIO group in 14 and 5 pts respectively. Normal hyperreactivity was obtained in 2 patients, in both OXI and TIO groups. In OXI and TIO, the PD(15) obtained after drug pre-medication, was similar (respectively 1628 +/- 955.7 and 1595.5 +/- 990 microg), but higher (p < 0.0001) in comparison to the PD(15) measured in the IB group (532.2 +/- 434.8 microg). Also, the dose-response slope (decline percentage of FEV(1)/cumulative methacholine dose) after PD(15) was similar in both OXI and TIO groups but different in the IB group. A significant relationship (p < 0.01) was found between PD(15)FEV(1) (obtained in 40 pts) and the increase in FEV(1)% obtained 60 minutes after bronchodilator inhalations (r = 0.53). In conclusion, with a standard dose, both Oxitropium and Tiotropium seem to have the same protective effect in bronchial asthma but higher than Ipratropium. It's probable that the best dose of Ipratropium should be a higher one than the usual dose taken.
