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Li X, Long Y, Zhang S, Yang C, Xing M, Zhang S. Experimental Study on Emergency Psychophysiological and Behavioral Reactions to Coal Mining Accidents. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2024:10.1007/s10484-024-09651-4. [PMID: 38940884 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-024-09651-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Effective emergency responses are crucial for preventing coal mine accidents and mitigating injuries. This paper aims to investigate the characteristics of emergency psychophysiological reactions to coal mine accidents and to explore the potential of key indicators for identifying emergency behavioral patterns. Initially, virtual reality technology facilitated a simulation experiment for emergency escape during coal mine accidents. Subsequently, the characteristics of emergency reactions were analyzed through correlation analysis, hypothesis testing, and analysis of variance. The significant changes in physiological indicators were then taken as input features and fed into the three classifiers of machine learning algorithms. These classifications ultimately led to the identification of behavioral patterns, including agility, defensiveness, panic, and rigidity, that individuals may exhibit during a coal mine accident emergency. The study results revealed an intricate relationship between the mental activities induced by accident stimuli and the resulting physiological changes and behavioral performances. During the virtual reality simulation of a coal mine accident, subjects were observed to experience significant physiological changes in electrodermal activity, heart rate variability, electromyogram, respiration, and skin temperature. The random forest classification model, based on SCR + RANGE + IBI + SDNN + LF/HF, outperformed all other models, achieving accuracies of up to 92%. These findings hold promising implications for early warning systems targeting abnormal psychophysiological and behavioral reactions to emergency accidents, potentially serving as a life-saving measure in perilous situations and fostering the sustainable growth of the coal mining industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchun Li
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Ding No.11 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology (Beijing Institute of Technology), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuzhen Long
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Ding No.11 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China.
| | - Shuhao Zhang
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Ding No.11 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Chunli Yang
- Occupational Hazards Assessment and Control Technology Center, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Mingxiu Xing
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Ding No.11 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Tianjin Traffic Science Research Institute, Tianjin Municipal Transportation Commission, Tianjin, 300074, China
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Matiz A, Fabbro F, Crescentini C. Mindfulness Through Storytelling for Mental Health of Primary School Children: Impact on Acceptability and Its Associations with Personality. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:1757-1774. [PMID: 38686324 PMCID: PMC11057635 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s441494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Acceptability of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) in primary school settings seems to represent a critical factor influencing the intervention effects on children's mental health. This study aims at assessing the acceptability of an MBP delivered through the technique of storytelling, as well as identifying which participants' personality characteristics can influence it. Participants and Methods Italian children in grades 3-to-5 (n = 147, 47.6% girls) participated in a 24-session MBP, which included 225 minutes of formal mindfulness practices and was delivered by the pupils' school teachers. Children's personality traits were assessed with the junior Temperament and Character Inventory (jTCI), while their subjective experiences and acceptability of the program were investigated using a survey containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Results Program acceptability was 2.9 ± 0.7 on a 0-4 scale. Higher jTCI scores of persistence, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence were related to higher ratings in liking the program, finding it useful and engaging themselves in it. Moreover, 57.8% of the children generalized the mindfulness practices in daily life and 93.9% of them declared they would recommend the program to their friends/parents. Five main themes emerged from children's answers on what they learned: "help for difficulties (emotional, mental, and physical)", "calm, relax, tranquility", "resilience, positiveness, personal growth", "self-exploration, interoception", and "attention, concentration, and here-and-now". Conclusion Program acceptability was generally higher than in similar programs in the literature, and children reported personal gains in various areas related to psychological well-being. The study also suggests which children's personality traits should be considered when proposing an MBP in order to improve its acceptability and utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Matiz
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Fabbro
- Institute of Mechanical Intelligence, School of Advanced Studies Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristiano Crescentini
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Institute of Mechanical Intelligence, School of Advanced Studies Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
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Dammen LV, Finseth TT, McCurdy BH, Barnett NP, Conrady RA, Leach AG, Deick AF, Van Steenis AL, Gardner R, Smith BL, Kay A, Shirtcliff EA. Evoking stress reactivity in virtual reality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104709. [PMID: 35644278 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) research probes stress environments that are infeasible to create in the real world. However, because research simulations are applied to narrow populations, it remains unclear if VR simulations can stimulate a broadly applicable stress-response. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on studies using VR stress tasks and biomarkers. METHODS Included papers (N = 52) measured cortisol, heart rate (HR), galvanic skin response (GSR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), parasympathetic activity (RMSSD), sympathovagal balance (LF/HF), and/or salivary alpha-amylase (sAA). Effect sizes (ES) and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated based on standardized mean change of baseline-to-peak biomarker levels. RESULTS From baseline-to-peak (ES, CI), analyses showed a statistically significant change in cortisol (0.56, 0.28-0.83), HR (0.68, 0.53-0.82), GSR (0.59, 0.36-0.82), SBP (.55, 0.19-0.90), DBP (.64, 0.23-1.05), RSA (-0.59, -0.88 to -0.30), and sAA (0.27, 0.092-0.45). There was no effect for RMSSD and LF/HF. CONCLUSION VR stress tasks elicited a varied magnitude of physiological stress reactivity. VR may be an effective tool in stress research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte van Dammen
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Tor T Finseth
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA.
| | - Bethany H McCurdy
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Neil P Barnett
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Roselynn A Conrady
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Alexis G Leach
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Andrew F Deick
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Reece Gardner
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Brandon L Smith
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Anita Kay
- Iowa State University, Virtual Reality Applications Center, Ames, IA, USA
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Mediating Mindfulness-Based Interventions with Virtual Reality in Non-Clinical Populations: The State-of-the-Art. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10071220. [PMID: 35885747 PMCID: PMC9316803 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness is one of the most popular psychotherapeutic techniques that help to promote good mental and physical health. Combining mindfulness with immersive virtual reality (VR) has been proven to be especially effective for a wide range of mood disorders for which traditional mindfulness has proven valuable. However, the vast majority of immersive VR-enhanced mindfulness applications have focused on clinical settings, with little evidence on healthy subjects. This narrative review evaluates the real effectiveness of state-of-the-art mindfulness interventions mediated by VR systems in influencing mood and physiological status in non-clinical populations. Only studies with an RCT study design were considered. We conclude that most studies were characterized by one single meditation experience, which seemed sufficient to induce a significant reduction in negative mood states (anxiety, anger, depression, tension) combined with increased mindfulness skills. However, physiological correlates of mindfulness practices have scarcely been investigated. The application of VR-enhanced mindfulness-based interventions in non-clinical populations is in its infancy since most studies have several limitations, such as the poor employment of the RCT study design, the lack of physiological measurements (i.e., heart rate variability), as well as the high heterogeneity in demographical data, technological devices, and VR procedures. We thus concluded that before applying mindfulness interventions mediated by VR in clinical populations, more robust and reliable methodological procedures need to be defined.
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Dincelli E, Yayla A. Immersive virtual reality in the age of the Metaverse: A hybrid-narrative review based on the technology affordance perspective. JOURNAL OF STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsis.2022.101717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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D'Antoni F, Feruglio S, Matiz A, Cantone D, Crescentini C. Mindfulness Meditation Leads To Increased Dispositional Mindfulness And Interoceptive Awareness Linked To A Reduced Dissociative Tendency. J Trauma Dissociation 2022; 23:8-23. [PMID: 34076566 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2021.1934935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Dissociation is an involuntary defensive mechanism to protect oneself by avoiding unbearable internal conflicts or overwhelming emotions. Cultivating mindful awareness could allow the development of voluntary processes that can offer part of the self-protective function of dissociation while favoring internal integration processes. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of a 7-week Mindfulness Oriented Meditation (MOM) training on healthy individuals' self-reported dissociative experience, mindfulness skills and interoceptive awareness. After the training, in comparison to a waiting-list control group (N = 102), the MOM group (N = 110) showed reduced dissociative tendencies (p < .05), increased dispositional mindfulness (p < .001) and increased interoceptive awareness (in the aspects of not-worrying, self-regulation and body listening; p < .001). Moreover, correlational evidence showed that the more MOM participants increased in mindfulness skills after the training the more they reported increased interoceptive awareness and decreased dissociative functioning (p < .05). Mindfulness skills also improved with more home meditation practice executed by MOM participants (p < .05). These findings were attributed to a possible role of mindfulness meditation in enabling the development of volitional processes that afford psychological safety and integration, in contrast with the involuntary nature of dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio D'Antoni
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Susanna Feruglio
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Alessio Matiz
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Damiano Cantone
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Cristiano Crescentini
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Matiz A, Crescentini C, Bergamasco M, Budai R, Fabbro F. Inter-brain co-activations during mindfulness meditation. Implications for devotional and clinical settings. Conscious Cogn 2021; 95:103210. [PMID: 34562699 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2021.103210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation usually takes place as personal, introspective activity. It is not known if this practice activates the brain differently when done alone or with someone else. Sixteen couples of expert meditators performed mindfulness-oriented meditation (MOM) and instructed mind-wandering (IMW) tasks in two conditions: once sitting in the same room (SR) and once in two different rooms (DR). Spontaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) data was collected during 7-minute recording sessions in the four experimental settings (MOM/SR, MOM/DR, IMW/SR, IMW/DR). Power in band was computed in separate clusters of independent components of the EEG signals. In addition to significant task effects, found in frontolimbic (MOM > IMW in gamma) and frontoparietal locations (MOM < IMW in theta), significant condition effects were found in frontal (SR > DR in delta) and in temporo-occipital regions (SR > DR in theta and alpha). Moreover, a significant interaction between task and condition revealed higher gamma activity in limbic areas during MOM/SR vs. MOM/DR settings. This effect was not attributable to gender, age nor the meditation expertise of participants. We thus show that the brains of two people work differently when they are doing something together or alone; some of these differences are specific to mindfulness meditation. Implications for devotional and clinical settings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Matiz
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Perceptual Robotics (PERCRO) Laboratory, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Cristiano Crescentini
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Massimo Bergamasco
- Perceptual Robotics (PERCRO) Laboratory, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Budai
- Department of Neuroscience, University-Hospital "S. Maria della Misericordia", Udine, Italy.
| | - Franco Fabbro
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Perceptual Robotics (PERCRO) Laboratory, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
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8
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Mondellini M, Mottura S, Guida M, Antonietti A. Influences of a Virtual Reality Experience on Dissociation, Mindfulness, and Self-Efficacy. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2021; 24:767-771. [PMID: 33739862 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2020.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
An experiment on a nonclinical sample to investigate influences of virtual reality (VR) on dissociation, mindfulness, and self-efficacy is reported. The participants were immersed for 20 minutes with a VR system in a large virtual apartment and have been charged to look around and find a set of objects previously observed on pictures. Questionnaires pre- and postimmersion were administered to measure the levels of such psychological constructs; cybersickness was assessed as well. Results showed an upward trend in dissociation and a significant increase of mindfulness after immersion in the VR environment. No influences on self-efficacy were found. Findings are discussed with reference to past studies, where a different picture emerged, by considering possible differences due to changes in technology and context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mondellini
- Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing; National Research Council of Italy, STIIMA - CNR, Lecco, Italy
| | - Stefano Mottura
- Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing; National Research Council of Italy, STIIMA - CNR, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy
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9
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Head-Mounted Display-Based Application for Cognitive Training. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20226552. [PMID: 33212748 PMCID: PMC7696435 DOI: 10.3390/s20226552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) has had significant advances in rehabilitation, due to the gamification of cognitive activities that facilitate treatment. On the other hand, Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) produces outstanding results due to the interactive features with the user. This work introduces a VR application for memory rehabilitation by walking through a maze and using the Oculus Go head-mounted display (HMD) technology. The mechanics of the game require memorizing geometric shapes while the player progresses in two modes, autonomous or manual, with two levels of difficulty depending on the number of elements to remember. The application is developed in the Unity 3D video game engine considering the optimization of computational resources to improve the performance in the processing and maintaining adequate benefits for the user, while the generated data is stored and sent to a remote server. The maze task was assessed with 29 subjects in a controlled environment. The obtained results show a significant correlation between participants’ response accuracy in both the maze task and a face–pair test. Thus, the proposed task is able to perform memory assessments.
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10
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Kitson A, Chirico A, Gaggioli A, Riecke BE. A Review on Research and Evaluation Methods for Investigating Self-Transcendence. Front Psychol 2020; 11:547687. [PMID: 33312147 PMCID: PMC7701337 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.547687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-transcendence has been characterized as a decrease in self-saliency (ego disillusionment) and increased connection, and has been growing in research interest in the past decade. Several measures have been developed and published with some degree of psychometric validity and reliability. However, to date, there has been no review systematically describing, contrasting, and evaluating the different methodological approaches toward measuring self-transcendence including questionnaires, neurological and physiological measures, and qualitative methods. To address this gap, we conducted a review to describe existing methods of measuring self-transcendence, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these methods, and discuss research avenues to advance assessment of self-transcendence, including recommendations for suitability of methods given research contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kitson
- School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Alice Chirico
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gaggioli
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy.,ATN-P Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernhard E Riecke
- School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Feruglio S, Matiz A, Grecucci A, Pascut S, Fabbro F, Crescentini C. Differential effects of mindfulness meditation conditions on repetitive negative thinking and subjective time perspective: a randomized active-controlled study. Psychol Health 2020; 36:1275-1298. [PMID: 33094652 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1836178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivePreliminary findings suggest that different kinds of meditation could work on diverse cognitive and psychological processes. The present study aimed at disentangling the effects of three mindfulness techniques on mental rumination and subjective time perspective. Design: 75 young healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: mindful breathing, body scan, observing-thoughts meditation and an active control condition. The meditation groups practiced mindfulness daily and attended weekly group meetings for 8 weeks, while the control group was involved in reading and discussing a book about mindfulness. Main outcome measures: Self-report measures of mindfulness skills, ruminative thinking, attitude towards time, anxiety, depression and personality traits. Results: In all meditation conditions, analysis of covariance showed a significant improvement in mindfulness skills compared to the control group. We found a specific effect of mindful breathing in reducing participants' tendency to brooding and in increasing their positive vision of the future, compared to all other conditions. Conclusions: As expected, we found some differential effects: breathing meditation helped practitioners to train more effectively their ability to disengage from maladaptive ruminative thoughts, which could be reflected in a more optimistic attitude toward the future. These results provide useful information to structure better mindfulness-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Feruglio
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Matiz
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grecucci
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Stefania Pascut
- Municipality of Udine, WHO Healthy Cities Project, Udine, Italy
| | - Franco Fabbro
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,PERCRO Perceptual Robotics Laboratory, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristiano Crescentini
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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13
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Khowaja SA, Prabono AG, Setiawan F, Yahya BN, Lee SL. Toward soft real-time stress detection using wrist-worn devices for human workspaces. Soft comput 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00500-020-05338-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Matiz A, Crescentini C, Fabbro A, Budai R, Bergamasco M, Fabbro F. Spontaneous eye movements during focused-attention mindfulness meditation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210862. [PMID: 30677056 PMCID: PMC6345481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oculometric measures have been proven to be useful markers of mind-wandering during visual tasks such as reading. However, little is known about ocular activity during mindfulness meditation, a mental practice naturally involving mind-wandering episodes. In order to explore this issue, we extracted closed-eyes ocular movement measurements via a covert technique (EEG recordings) from expert meditators during two repetitions of a 7-minute mindfulness meditation session, focusing on the breath, and two repetitions of a 7-minute instructed mind-wandering task. Power spectral density was estimated on both the vertical and horizontal components of eye movements. The results show a significantly smaller average amplitude of eye movements in the delta band (1–4 Hz) during mindfulness meditation than instructed mind-wandering. Moreover, participants’ meditation expertise correlated significantly with this average amplitude during both tasks, with more experienced meditators generally moving their eyes less than less experienced meditators. These findings suggest the potential use of this measure to detect mind-wandering episodes during mindfulness meditation and to assess meditation performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Matiz
- PERCRO Laboratory, Scuola Superiore “Sant’Anna”, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Cristiano Crescentini
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Anastasia Fabbro
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Riccardo Budai
- Department of Neuroscience, University-Hospital “S. Maria della Misericordia”, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Franco Fabbro
- PERCRO Laboratory, Scuola Superiore “Sant’Anna”, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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15
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Crescentini C, Matiz A, Cimenti M, Pascoli E, Eleopra R, Fabbro F. Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Personality and Psychological Well-being in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Int J MS Care 2018; 20:101-108. [PMID: 29896046 PMCID: PMC5991502 DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2016-093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varied evidence shows that mindfulness-oriented meditation improves individuals' mental health, positively influencing practitioners' personality profiles as well. A limited number of studies are beginning to show that this type of meditation may also be a helpful therapeutic option for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS We evaluated the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-oriented meditation training on the personality profiles, anxiety and depression symptoms, and mindfulness skills of a group of patients with MS. A control group of patients with MS not enrolled in any training was also tested. RESULTS After mindfulness-oriented meditation training, participants in this group (n = 15) showed an increase in character traits reflecting the maturity of the self at the intrapersonal (self-directedness) and interpersonal (cooperativeness) levels. Moreover, increased mindfulness and conscientiousness and decreased trait anxiety were observed in participants after the training. CONCLUSIONS These data support the utility for patients with MS of therapeutic interventions based on mindfulness meditation that may lead to enhanced character and self-maturity.
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Menin A, Torchelsen R, Nedel L. An Analysis of VR Technology Used in Immersive Simulations with a Serious Game Perspective. IEEE COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND APPLICATIONS 2018; 38:57-73. [PMID: 29672256 DOI: 10.1109/mcg.2018.021951633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Using virtual environments (VEs) is a safer and cost-effective alternative to executing dangerous tasks, such as training firefighters and industrial operators. Immersive virtual reality (VR) combined with game aspects have the potential to improve the user experience in the VE by increasing realism, engagement, and motivation. This article investigates the impact of VR technology on 46 immersive gamified simulations with serious purposes and classifies it towards a taxonomy. Our findings suggest that immersive VR improves simulation outcomes, such as increasing learning gain and knowledge retention and improving clinical outcomes for rehabilitation. However, it also has limitations such as motion sickness and restricted access to VR hardware. Our contributions are to provide a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of using VR in immersive simulations with serious purposes, to propose a taxonomy that classifies them, and to discuss whether methods and participants profiles influence results.
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