Mindfulness interventions, hypnosis, and biofeedback.

Mobile mindfulness interventions represent a promising alternative to traditional in-person interventions that are resource demanding and have limited accessibility, preventing use by many populations. Despite greater accessibility and popularity of mobile mindfulness applications (apps), research is needed testing the effectiveness of brief interventions delivered via these platforms. The present study assessed the efficacy of a brief mobile mindfulness intervention compared to an active control for increasing state and trait mindfulness and improving mood, as well as the acceptability of the app, in a sample of undergraduate students. Participants (N=139; Mage=19.43years, 80.6% female, 83.5% White) were randomly assigned to either a 10-day mobile mindfulness (Headspace) or cognitive training (Peak) condition. Trait mindfulness was measured pre- and post-intervention. During the 10-day intervention, participants completed 10-min daily exercises on the assigned app, responded to daily questionnaires of state mindfulness and mood, and completed a daily written log of their reactions to the app exercises. Attrition was low (90% completion rate) and did not differ by condition. Participants in the mindfulness condition spent an average of 88.15min (SD=24.75) meditating out of the full 100min prescribed by the intervention. State mindfulness significantly increased across the 10-day intervention for participants in the mindfulness, but not the cognitive training, condition beginning around days 5 and 6. Some aspects of trait mindfulness increased and mood improved from pre- to post-intervention, but these changes were observed in both conditions (i.e., no significant differences were observed by condition). Qualitative analysis of open-ended reactions to the mindfulness app indicated that participants reported more likes than dislikes. Common themes for likes were that participants experienced feelings of calm and focus following the daily mindfulness exercises. Dislikes included discomfort and anxiety associated with increased awareness of thoughts and physical sensations. These findings suggest that while a brief mobile mindfulness intervention is acceptable to undergraduate college students and effective at increasing state mindfulness, a longer intervention may be needed in order to elicit corresponding changes in trait-level mindfulness or mood.

Download Full-text

Web-Based Mindfulness Interventions for Mental Health Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JMIR Mental Health ◽

10.2196/10278 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. e10278 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Julia Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones ◽

Olga Santesteban-Echarri ◽

Ingrid Pryor ◽

Patrick McGorry ◽

Mario Alvarez-Jimenez

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Web Based ◽

Mindfulness Skills ◽

Mindfulness Interventions ◽

Depression Disorder

Background Web-based mindfulness interventions are increasingly delivered through the internet to treat mental health conditions. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of web-based mindfulness interventions in clinical mental health populations. Secondary aims were to explore the impact of study variables on the effectiveness of web-based mindfulness interventions. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of web-based mindfulness interventions on clinical populations. Results The search strategy yielded 12 eligible studies. Web-based mindfulness interventions were effective in reducing depression in the total clinical sample (n=656 g=−0.609, P=.004) and in the anxiety disorder subgroup (n=313, g=−0.651, P<.001), but not in the depression disorder subgroup (n=251, P=.18). Similarly, web-based mindfulness interventions significantly reduced anxiety in the total clinical sample (n=756, g=−0.433, P=.004) and the anxiety disorder subgroup (n=413, g=−0.719, P<.001), but not in the depression disorder group (n=251, g=−0.213, P=.28). Finally, web-based mindfulness interventions improved quality of life and functioning in the total sample (n=591, g=0.362, P=.02) in the anxiety disorder subgroup (n=370, g=0.550, P=.02) and mindfulness skills in the total clinical sample (n=251, g=0.724, P<.001). Conclusions Results support the effectiveness of web-based mindfulness interventions in reducing depression and anxiety and in enhancing quality of life and mindfulness skills, particularly in those with clinical anxiety. Results should be interpreted with caution given the high heterogeneity of web-based mindfulness interventions and the low number of studies included.

Download Full-text

The Acceptability, Feasibility and Potential Outcomes of an Individual Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Hearing Voices

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465818000425 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 200-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Stephanie Louise ◽

Susan L. Rossell ◽

Neil Thomas

Keyword(s):

Subjective Experience ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Potential Outcomes ◽

Mechanisms Of Change ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Hearing Voices ◽

Attentional Switching ◽

Mindfulness Interventions

Background:A prominent area of advancement in the psychological treatment for people with persisting psychosis has been the application of mindfulness-based therapies. Recent literature has recommended the investigation of focused mindfulness interventions for voices (auditory hallucinations) as a specific experience. To date, only mindfulness programs in group format have been examined.Aims:This non-randomized pilot study aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility and potential outcomes of an individual mindfulness program for persistent voices on the negative impact of voices on the subjective experience of mental health and wellbeing, depression and voice-related distress and disruption. Also, it aimed to identify potential psychological and neurocognitive mechanisms of change.Method:A new 4-week individual Mindfulness Program for Voices (iMPV) was developed, and piloted with a group of 14 participants with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and persisting voices. Participants completed clinical and neurocognitive measures pre- and post-intervention and at 2-month follow-up.Results:Results revealed low attrition rates, high formal practice engagement levels and positive participant feedback. Pre–post outcomes suggested small to moderate effects for a reduction in the negative impact of voices on experience, depression and disruption. Large effects for changes in mindful responding and attentional switching were also identified.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that this novel treatment protocol is appropriate, engaging and safe for persistent voice hearers. Findings for mindful responding and attentional switching suggest these to be potential mechanisms of change for further investigation. Further RCTs are warranted to ascertain the feasibility and efficacy for focused mindfulness interventions for voices of individual format.

Download Full-text

Using a Digital Meditation Application to Mitigate Anxiety and Sleep Problems in Children with ADHD

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/10870547211025616 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 108705472110256

Author(s):

Ronna Fried ◽

Maura DiSalvo ◽

Abigail Farrell ◽

Joseph Biederman

Keyword(s):

Sleep Problems ◽

The United States ◽

Beck Anxiety Inventory ◽

Sleep Habits ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Promising Strategy ◽

Children’S Sleep Habits Questionnaire ◽

Mindfulness Interventions ◽

Children’S Sleep ◽

Reducing Stress

Objective: ADHD affects 11% of children in the United States and is associated with significant levels of anxiety. Although the literature supports mindfulness-based interventions as a promising strategy for managing anxiety, it falls short in the feasibility of digital mindfulness interventions. Method: This study investigated the usefulness of the pediatric version of Headspace, a digital mindfulness program, for reducing stress in 18 children with ADHD. We conducted a 4-week pilot study to evaluate the Headspace digital mindfulness application for children ages 6 to 12 with ADHD. Parents completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire at baseline and endpoint. Results: Participants had an average age of 9.2 years and were 78% male. The Headspace intervention significantly reduced anxiety and sleep problems in children with ADHD. Conclusion: Children with ADHD and comorbid anxiety and/or sleep problems could benefit from a digitally based meditation application. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)

Download Full-text