Search Results (137)

Traditional relaxation techniques such as meditation and slow breathing often rely on subjective self-assessment, making it difficult to objectively monitor physiological changes. Electrocardiograms (ECG), which are commonly used by clinicians, provide one-dimensional signals to interpret cardiovascular activity. In this study, we introduce a visual interpretation framework that transforms heart rate variability (HRV) time series into fuzzy recurrence plots (FRPs). Unlike ECGs’ linear traces, FRPs are two-dimensional images that reveal distinctive textural patterns corresponding to autonomic changes. These visually rich patterns make it easier for even non-experts with minimal training to track changes in relaxation states. To enable automated detection, we propose a multi-domain feature fusion framework suitable for wearable systems. HRV data were collected from 60 participants during spontaneous and slow-paced breathing sessions. Features were extracted from five domains: time, frequency, non-linear, geometric, and image-based. Feature selection was performed using the Fisher discriminant ratio, correlation filtering, and greedy search. Among six evaluated classifiers, support vector machine (SVM) achieved the highest performance, with 96.6% accuracy and 100% specificity using only three selected features. Our approach offers both human-interpretable visual feedback through FRP and accurate automated detection, making it highly promising for objectively monitoring real-time stress and developing biofeedback systems in wearable devices. Full article

This study aimed to address the dearth of literature on mechanisms of effect of mindfulness-based interventions by investigating metacognitive beliefs as a potential mechanism of symptomology-reduction effects. The Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS) component of the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model was augmented to include subtypes of mind wandering and rumination. One hundred and seventy-eight participants sourced from professional networks (M_age = 53.13; SD = 11.80) completed an online questionnaire measuring dispositional mindfulness, metacognitive beliefs, rumination, mind wandering, worry, anxiety and depression. Effects of meditation frequency on these variables were examined, as were the relationships between them. Dispositional mindfulness was significantly negatively correlated with metacognitive beliefs, which were positively correlated with worry, mind wandering and rumination, all of which were positively correlated with symptomology. Significant correlations were stronger for spontaneous mind wandering and brooding rumination than their counterparts. Those reporting a daily meditation practice scored significantly higher on three of the five facets of mindfulness and significantly lower on anxiety and depression symptomology and several CAS elements than those who rarely meditated. Changes in metacognitive beliefs are a potential pathway for MBI-driven reductions in anxiety and depression symptomology. Increases in dispositional mindfulness through MBIs are likely to reduce metacognitive beliefs, which reduce maladaptive processes of the CAS, flowing on to reductions in symptomology. A daily meditation practice appears to increase the efficacy of this mechanism. Subtypes of mind wandering and rumination differ in their contribution to this pathway, perhaps more accurately represented as extremes on their respective continua rather than the current categorical model of typologies measured independently. Full article

Burn injuries lead to significant physical and psychological consequences, including chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, depression, and social isolation. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been proposed as a holistic approach to address these challenges in burn rehabilitation. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of dispositional mindfulness and MBIs, including mindfulness meditation, yoga, and self-compassion training, in managing pain, emotional distress, and psychosocial adaptation in burn survivors. A comprehensive literature search was conducted through MEDLINE and Web of Science, covering studies up to February 2025, with additional papers retrieved from Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar. Studies were included if they reported quantitative data on the effects of MBIs in burn patients and/or their families, excluding opinion pieces, editorials, reviews, and qualitative studies. After screening 91 studies retrieved from the databases and adding a compelling paper retrieved from the other sources explored, 12 studies were included in the final pool, categorized into cross-sectional studies (n = 6), and intervention studies (n = 6). The extracted data included publication year, research design, sample characteristics, intervention details, main findings, and data for quality assessment. The synthesis of the results suggests that mindfulness is associated with reduced psychological symptoms, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced self-compassion, leading to better coping strategies and social reintegration. However, the long-term efficacy of MBIs remains inconclusive, and further research is needed to differentiate mindfulness-specific effects from those of general physical exercise. Evidence also suggests that mindfulness interventions may reduce anxiety and secondary trauma in children with burns and their caregivers. This review highlights the potential of MBIs as adjuncts to conventional burn rehabilitation programs, but further high-quality trials are needed to establish their sustained efficacy and to understand the specific benefits of mindfulness. Full article

The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseeds as dynamic attentional agents that integrate information. This hierarchical model, structured as nested Markov blankets, comprises three interconnected levels: (i) knowledge domains as information repositories, (ii) the Thoughtseed Network where thoughtseeds compete, and (iii) meta-cognition regulating awareness. It simulates focused-attention Vipassana meditation via rule-based training informed by empirical neuroscience research on attentional stability and neural dynamics. Four states—breath_control, mind_wandering, meta_awareness, and redirect_breath—emerge organically from thoughtseed interactions, demonstrating self-organizing dynamics. Results indicate that experts sustain control dominance to reinforce focused attention, while novices exhibit frequent, prolonged mind_wandering episodes, reflecting beginner instability. Integrating Global Workspace Theory and the Intrinsic Ignition Framework, the model elucidates how thoughtseeds shape a unitary meditative experience through meta-awareness, balancing epistemic and pragmatic affordances via active inference. Synthesizing computational modeling with phenomenological insights, it provides an embodied perspective on cognitive state emergence and transitions, offering testable predictions about meditation skill development. The framework yields insights into attention regulation, meta-cognitive awareness, and meditation state emergence, establishing a versatile foundation for future research into diverse meditation practices (e.g., Open Monitoring, Non-Dual Awareness), cognitive development across the lifespan, and clinical applications in mindfulness-based interventions for attention disorders, advancing our understanding of the nature of mind and thought. Full article

(1) Background: University students’ mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. This study evaluated a 12-week PA and meditation intervention to enhance psychological well-being in Spanish university students. (2) Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a non-randomized control group and pretest-posttest assessments. The study lasted 14 weeks (12 weeks of intervention and two for evaluations). Initially, 149 students were recruited, but the final sample included 136 (82 intervention, 54 control) due to attrition. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, respecting university-established groups. The intervention consisted of six PA sessions (aerobic, cardiovascular, and strength exercises) and six meditation sessions (yoga and mindfulness). Validated questionnaires assessed resilience, psychological distress, self-esteem, mood, personality traits, sedentary behavior, PA levels, and sleep duration. (3) Results: Significant improvements were found in resilience (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.01), and sleep duration (p < 0.05), with greater mood benefits in men. No major changes were observed in other variables. (4) Conclusions: PA- and meditation-based interventions can improve students’ MH, particularly in key psychological aspects. Further research should explore long-term effects and refine strategies by distinguishing between preventive and therapeutic approaches. Full article

Nature-based interventions (NBIs) grounded in mindfulness have been shown to be beneficial for improving mental wellbeing in adults. With increasing mental health challenges among children and adolescents, accessible and cost-effective interventions are essential to enhance their well-being. Brief mindfulness-based NBIs may be helpful in this regard, but there is a dearth of evidence testing such NBIs in young adolescents. The aim of this study was to test the effect of a brief nature-based meditation on mental wellbeing in community groups of adolescents (n = 38; aged 12–17) and adults (n = 39; aged 18–26). We hypothesised that the meditation would reduce depressive rumination and stress in both age groups. In a repeated-measures design, participants completed self-report measures, indexing mental wellbeing (state rumination and stress) before and immediately after listening to a brief (13 min) nature-based meditation. Rumination and stress improved overall, and the pattern in the data suggested that effects were larger for adults when compared to adolescents. This study provides preliminary evidence for the use of a brief nature-based meditation in improving mental wellbeing in adolescents. Future research should make NBIs age appropriate and examine their effectiveness for clinical adolescent populations. Full article

Background: Pregnant women are likely to experience depression due to various factors. Hypnobirthing is a non-invasive therapy that can be used to treat depression during pregnancy. This study aims to systematically review the effect of hypnobirthing on antenatal depression. Methods: This study employs a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and hand searches. Articles were included for review if they met the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in the last ten years (2014–2024); (2) the articles published in English; (3) article types are original research articles and reviews; (4) the full text can be retrieved; and (5) the findings of the selected articles should discuss the effect of hypnobirthing or hypnosis for birth. Articles were critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Results: The initial search yielded 7603 records; nine studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review, and four studies for meta-analysis. The articles were analyzed, and findings were presented in narrative ways and categorized into three themes: the effect of therapy, the administration of the therapy, and the mechanism of the therapy. The therapy was performed by different methods, involving hypnosis, daily relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, the J-breathing technique, meditation, visualization, and ego strengthening. Additionally, participants were encouraged to do self-practice at home and were followed up by personal visits, phone calls, or text messages. Conclusions: The majority of the studies found that hypnobirthing ameliorated antenatal depression, despite the variation in initial administration and the duration of therapy. Further research is needed to standardize therapy protocols and explore long-term outcomes. Full article

Purposes: The Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) has been considered the best available measure of body awareness, but it is not currently available in Spanish. Methods: To address this shortcoming, a sample of 281 Spanish participants completed a survey with a Spanish version of the BAQ, as well as the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2), the Self-Compassion Scale-Short (SCS-S) and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Short (NSSS-S). Results: Analysis of the Spanish BAQ showed good reliability: α = 0.82. Positive correlations with the BAS-2 and the SCS-S, and no significant correlation with the NSSS-S, support the convergent and discriminant validity of the Spanish BAQ. In conceptual validity, the Spanish BAQ further successfully discriminated between meditators and non-meditators, showing additional support for the conceptual validity of the measure. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported a two-factor structure, rather than a one-factor or four-factor version, as proposed for the original English version. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the BAQ has shown adequate reliability and validity and would be a good scale to continue exploring in clinical Spanish population samples, e.g., in patients with chronic pain, and non-clinical ones, e.g., after interventions in sexuality or sport. It could be an interesting questionnaire to assess outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions. Full article

Buddhism is renowned for its adherence to the principle of “Anatta”, yet it does not merely negate the self. Instead, Buddhism employs a flexible categorization and stratification of the self based on specific value orientations and practical objectives. Although Christian traditions present a variety of perceptions of the self, they align with Buddhism in terms of stratifying the self. In the practical path of self-cultivation, both religions adopt meditation as a spiritual exercise, aiming to manifest the true self. A comparative analysis of Buddhist and Christian meditation practices within the framework of naturalism not only enhances the profound understanding of the self-concept for both parties but also fosters the creative transformation and innovative development of the theories of self within these two religious traditions. Full article

Background: This scoping review investigates the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation in alleviating sleep disturbances among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). With the rising prevalence of dementia and its profound impact on cognitive function and quality of life, this review aims to synthesize existing research and identify gaps in the literature. Methods: We systematically searched six electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus) from 2004 to 2024, yielding 462 potentially relevant articles. Screening was conducted using ASReview, an AI ranking tool, which facilitated the selection of studies. Ultimately, seven studies that met our stringent eligibility criteria were included in the review. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines for reporting. Results: Our findings indicate that mindfulness meditation significantly improves sleep quality, reduces insomnia severity, and enhances overall well-being in this at-risk population. Notably, interventions that combine structured, face-to-face sessions with at-home practice emerged as the most effective. Conclusions: Despite these positive outcomes, methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and reliance on self-reported measures, underscore the need for more rigorous long-term studies. This review highlights the potential of mindfulness meditation as a low-cost, scalable intervention to improve sleep and cognitive health in older adults, paving the way for future research and clinical applications. Full article

We present and develop local prospect theory (LPT), a novel framework for understanding consciousness, and, in particular, subjective experience and free will. While predictive processing (PP) theories model the brain as trying to optimize the accuracy of predictions, LPT sees uncertainty as an essential feature of conscious decision-making. This is achieved by creating a “local prospect”—a range of potential developments colored by subjective experience from which an agent can freely choose how to react. Drawing on global workspace theory, LPT conceptualizes consciousness as a self-maintaining process of circulating neural activation, creating a temporary working memory where thoughts and feelings coming from different brain modules enter into an asynchronous, non-linear interaction. This contrasts with unconscious processes, which operate automatically and deterministically. LPT proposes entropy-based measures, including the determination of actions by conditions and the breadth of prospect, to quantify the range of potential developments considered. This framework allows us to understand Buddhist practices and concepts, such as mindfulness, liberation from attachments, and meditation, which broaden consciousness and de-automatize reactions by reducing the influence of conditioning. The proposed prospect measure may be operationalized by indicators such as the variety of action, breadth of perception, and unpredictability of behavior, thus allowing for the empirical testing of the theory. Full article

Warhammer 40,000 (40k) is the world’s most popular miniature wargame. The game is played with miniatures (small-scale figures made of hard plastic or other materials), which have usually been painted by each individual player. These player–painters typically spend hours in deep concentration painting the models. Drawing on interviews and journal entries from a six-month participant study of 14 painters, this paper explores whether miniature painters achieve a flow state, whether this creates a greater feeling of mindfulness, and how painting impacts their overall mental health. Results from this study indicate that miniature painting is meditative, meaningful, and positive for the participants’ mental health. Using the definition of flow outlined in Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s book Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness (1988), flow is a state of pleasure had when an individual concentrates on a specific task. Csikszentmihalyi, from his research on flow, notes that this state of mind involves both immersion and a sense of transcendence, where the individual temporarily loses a sense of self. This sense of loss of self was explored with an increased attention to the feeling of the body, and situated cognition has been further explored to understand how this connects to painting. While flow is regularly applied to videogame studies, less work has been carried out on this flow state during activities like miniature painting. Full article

Background: Nurses frequently face various sources of stress in the workplace, making self-compassion interventions crucial for promoting their mental well-being. This scoping review aims to: (a) identify self-compassion intervention programs implemented within the nursing population; and (b) analyze the content and outcome measures of these interventions. Methods: The study follows Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework and adheres to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Relevant literature on self-compassion interventions for nurses published between January 2010 and May 2024 was systematically reviewed. Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library, using MeSH terms and free-text keywords such as “self-compassion”, “self-kindness”, “self-appreciation”, “self-worth”, “self-forgiveness”, “self-awareness”, “nurses”, and “nursing”. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Self-compassion interventions were categorized into two types: (1) mindfulness-focused programs, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Care and Resiliency (MSCR), which treat self-compassion as a potential outcome; and (2) self-compassion-focused programs, including Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM). Conclusions: The mental health challenges faced by nurses have drawn growing attention, underscoring the importance of self-compassion interventions. This review examines empirical studies within the nursing population, contributing to the development of more targeted and effective strategies to enhance the mental health and well-being of nursing professionals. Full article

Background: Stress and anxiety are common problems among nursing students, affecting their mental health and academic performance. Compassion training has been shown to be effective in reducing these states. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of a compassion-based course on perceived stress and anxiety (state and trait) among nursing students at a state university in Chile. Methods: A pre-experimental design was implemented with 45 second-year students, who completed evaluations before and after the intervention. The course included 10 sessions involving compassion meditation, mindfulness, self-compassion exercises, and autonomous practice. Results: The results showed significant reductions in and a high effect size regarding perceived stress (Cohen’s d = 0.83) and state anxiety (Cohen’s d = 0.74), while trait anxiety showed a moderate reduction (Cohen’s d = 0.34). Mediation analysis revealed that increases in self-compassion mediated the relationship between autonomous practice time and reductions in stress and trait anxiety. Conclusions: These findings suggest that compassion training is an effective strategy for reducing stress and anxiety in nursing students, improving their emotional regulation and preparation for professional practice. Therefore, it is necessary to include this approach in students’ curricular programs. Full article

Background: In the last decade, empirical studies on the beneficial effects of meditation on prosocial capacities have accumulated, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Buddhist sources state that liberating oneself from a fixed view of the self by gaining access to its transitory and malleable nature leads to increased compassion and other prosocial traits. These, however, have not yet been empirically tested. Methods: The current study aims at filling this gap by first examining whether 44 long term meditators differ from 53 controls in prosocial capacities on different levels of the socio-cognitive hierarchy, and second by examining whether these are associated with meditation-induced ‘selfless’ states, operationalized here as the sense of boundary (SB) flexibility. We capitalize on our previous work on the neurophenomenology of mindfulness-induced SB dissolution, which yielded a neural index of SB-flexibility, solely for the meditators, and examine its correlations with a battery of validated behavioral prosociality tasks. Results: Our findings reveal enhanced low-level prosocial processes in meditators, including enhanced emotion recognition and reduced outgroup bias. We show the stability of SB flexibility over a year, demonstrating consistent high beta deactivation. The neural index of SB flexibility negatively correlates with recognizing negative emotions, suggesting a link to reduced social threat perception. Conclusions: These results connect the neural correlates of SB flexibility to prosociality, supported by stable high beta deactivations. We expect the results to raise awareness regarding the prosocial potential of flexing one’s self-boundaries through meditation. Full article