Effects of a Mindfulness and Physical Activity Programme on Anxiety, Depression and Stress Levels in People with Mental Health Problems in a Prison: A Controlled Study.

Recent studies in the general population have shown an inverse relationship between mindfulness and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as the benefits of physical activity on these symptoms. These relationships have not yet been studied in a population with severe mental disorder (SMD) in prison, where symptoms of anxiety and depression and impulsive behaviours have a high incidence. A controlled study was developed to assess the benefits of a mindfulness-based protocol whereby elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy were evaluated and compared to an adapted sport program. Twenty-two inmates from the "El Acebuche" prison aged between 23 and 58 years old participated in this study, which included a pre-, post-, and follow-up; the majority of participants had SMD and were distributed in both conditions. The DASS-21 was obtained for its evaluation. The results of the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples indicated a significant reduction in the levels of stress and depression in the mindfulness intervention group compared to the control group in which no significant changes were observed, providing evidence on the effect of this practice in prison contexts.

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Mindfulness in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

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.

Mejora de la motivación en estudiantes inmigrantes latinoamericanos mediante un programa de mindfulness: un estudio aleatorizado / Improving motivation in Latin American immigrants through a mindfulness-based program: a randomized study

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.

Differential Effect of Level of Self-Regulation and Mindfulness Training on Coping Strategies Used by University Students.

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.

Reducing anxiety, geriatric depression and worry in a sample of older adults through a mindfulness training program / Reducción de la ansiedad, la depresión geriátrica y la preocupación en una muestra de adultos mayores a través de un programa de entrenamiento en mindfulness

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.

Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety and depression in university students.

Two of the problems that currently affect a large proportion of university students are high levels of anxiety and stress experienced in different situations, which are particularly high during the first years of their degree and during exam periods. The present study aims to investigate whether mindfulness training can bring about significant changes in the manifestations of depression, anxiety, and stress of students when compared to another group undergoing a physical activity program and a control group. The sample consisted of 125 students from the Bachelor of Education Program. The measuring instrument used was the Abbreviated Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21). The results indicate that the effects of reducing the identified variables were higher for the mindfulness group than for the physical education group and for the control group F(2) = 5.91, p = .004, η2 = .106. The total scores for all variables related to the mindfulness group decreased significantly, including an important stress reduction t(29) = 2.95, p = .006, d = .667. Mindfulness exercises and some individual relaxing exercises involving Physical Education could help to reduce manifestations of stress and anxiety caused by exams in students.

Aprendizaje y práctica de la conciencia plena en estudiantes de bachillerato para potenciar la relajación y la autoeficacia en el rendimiento escolar / Learning Mindfulness for Enhancing Relaxation and Self-Efficacy on Academic Performance in High School Students

El objetivo este estudio fue analizar los efectos que produce un programa psicoeducativo de entrenamiento en conciencia plena (mindfulness) sobre la autoeficacia en el rendimiento escolar y los estados de relajación (Estados-R), en adolescentes estudiantes de bachillerato. Se realizó un diseño controlado y aleatorizado con un grupo experimental y un grupo control en lista de espera con medición pretest-postest. Los instrumentos de medida empleados fueron el Cuestionario de Cartagena (Cartagena, 2008) y el Cuestionario SRSI-3 (Smith, 2005a). Los análisis estadísticos muestran la existencia de mejoras significativas en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control, en los niveles de autoeficacia en el rendimiento escolar, así como en los estados de relajación básica, conciencia plena y energía positiva; además, se obtuvo una reducción significativa en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control en la dimensión de estrés percibido.

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effects of a mindfulness training psycho-educative program on self-efficacy in the academic performance and relaxation states in a sample of High School students. A randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest measurements was used with an experimental group and a control group (waiting list). The Cartagena Questionnaire (Cartagena, 2008) and the SRSI Questionnaire (Smith, 2005a) were employed. The statistical analyses carried out on the studied variables showed significant improvements in favor of the experimental group compared with the control group on the levels of self-efficacy in academic performance, as well as on the states of basic relaxation, mindfulness and positive energy. The program also produced a significant reduction in the experimental group compared with the control group in the dimension of perceived stress.

Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety and depression in university students

Two of the problems that currently affect a large proportion of university students are high levels of anxiety and stress experienced in different situations, which are particularly high during the first years of their degree and during exam periods. The present study aims to investigate whether mindfulness training can bring about significant changes in the manifestations of depression, anxiety, and stress of students when compared to another group undergoing a physical activity program and a control group. The sample consisted of 125 students from the Bachelor of Education Program. The measuring instrument used was the Abbreviated Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21). The results indicate that the effects of reducing the identified variables were higher for the mindfulness group than for the physical education group and for the control group F(2) = 5.91, p = .004, η2 = .106. The total scores for all variables related to the mindfulness group decreased significantly, including an important stress reduction t(29) = 2.95, p = .006, d = .667. Mindfulness exercises and some individual relaxing exercises involving Physical Education could help to reduce manifestations of stress and anxiety caused by exams in students (AU)

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Programa de natación adaptada para personas mayores dependientes: beneficios psicológicos, físicos y fisiológicos / Adapted aquatics program for senior dependents: psychological, physical and physiological benefits

El objetivo del presente estudio se centró en examinar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico, basado en la práctica de la natación adaptada, sobre la autoestima, la reducción del peso, el equilibrio y la movilidad articular. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 33 personas dependientes mayores de 60 años. El programa de intervención motriz basado en la práctica de la natación adaptada se aplicó durante ocho meses. Se evaluaron los niveles de autoestima con la Escala de Rosenberg, y las demás variables: peso, equilibrio y movilidad articular, tanto al inicio como a la finalización del programa. Se realizaron diferentes análisis descriptivos e inferenciales que permitieron concluir que se habían obtenido mejoras significativas en autoestima, reducción de peso, optimización del equilibrio y de la movilidad articular. El programa de intervención motriz de natación adaptada ha influido significativamente en la salud y mejora del bienestar de las personas de la muestra (AU)

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of an adapted swimming-based exercise programme on self-esteem, weight reduction, balance and joint mobility. The sample consisted of 33 participants over 60 years of age from Almeria. The adapted swimming-based motor intervention programme was applied for eight months. Levels of self-esteem and the other variables -weight, balance and joint mobility- were assessed with the Rosenberg Scale at the beginning and the end of the programme. Various descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted and it was found that significant improvements had been achieved in self-esteem, weight reduction, optimization of balance and joint mobility. The adapted swimming-based motor intervention programme significantly influenced the health and betterment of the people in the sample (AU)

Reducción de los Niveles de Estrés Docente y los Días de Baja Laboral por Enfermedad en profesores de Educación Secundaria obligatoria a través de un Programa de Entrenamiento en Mindfulness / Reducing Levels of Teacher Stress and the Days of Sick Leave in Secondary School Teachers through a Mindfulness Training Programme

El objetivo del presente estudio es examinar la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento en mindfulness en reducir los niveles de estrés docente y los días de baja laboral por enfermedad en un grupo de profesores de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). La muestra estuvo constituida por 31 profesores de ESO, los cuales fueron aleatoriamente asignados; 16 formaron el grupo experimental y los 15 restantes el grupo control. Los niveles de estrés docente fueron evaluados mediante la Escala de Estrés Docente (ED-6) antes y después de la aplicación del programa. Los análisis estadísticos muestran la reducción significativa de los niveles de estrés docente y de los días de baja laboral por enfermedad, así como también en tres de las seis dimensiones que evalúan la Escala ED-6 (presiones, desmotivación y mal afrontamiento) en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control (AU)

The purpose of the current study is to examine the efficacy of a mindfulness training program to reduce the levels of teacher stress and the days of sick leave taken by a group of teachers. The sample comprised 31 teachers of Secondary School Education, who were randomly allocated; 16 of them formed the experimental group and the 15 remaining the control group. The levels of teacher stress were measured by the Teacher Stress Scale (ED-6) before and after the application of the programme. Statistical analysis shows the significant reduction of levels of teacher stress and the number of days of sick leave, as well as in three dimensions of the ED-6 (pressure, demotivation, and coping poorly) in the experimental group compared with the control group (AU)

Reducing teachers’ psychological distress through a mindfulness training program

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)

Reducing teachers' psychological distress through a mindfulness training program.

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.