Investigating the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on stress level and brain activity of college students

Psychological Interventions and Those With Elements of Positive Psychology for Child and Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Literature Review, Lessons Learned, and Areas for Future Knowledge Dissemination

BACKGROUND

There was a marked decline in child and teenage mental health worldwide during the pandemic, with increasing prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Research indicates that positive psychological interventions may be beneficial for mental health.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this review were to evaluate positive psychological interventions for child and youth mental health implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess overall effectiveness for mental health and knowledge.

METHODS

We undertook a literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for all eligible studies on digital and hybrid in-person psychological interventions for youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A particular emphasis was placed on positive psychological interventions or interventions that had components of positive psychology, including gratitude, acceptance, positive emotions, or resilience building.

RESULTS

A total of 41 interventions were included in this review. Most of the interventions were digital. Overall, most of the interventions assisted with one or more mental health or psychological indicators, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, stress, and resilience. However, findings were mixed when it came to targeting both depression and anxiety together. The interventions that promoted youth mental health most often had a range of diverse positive psychology components and were evidence based. Not all studies measured changes in mindfulness. Few studies examined knowledge acquired on mental health self-care, managing mental health problems, knowledge of positive psychological techniques, mindfulness knowledge, or mental health self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Diverse multicomponent interventions appear to assist with youth mental health overall, although their effects on both depression and anxiety are less clear. There is also a need for more research on knowledge gains to determine whether the interventions improved knowledge on mental health-supportive behaviors, which may be sustained beyond the intervention. Finally, more studies need to evaluate whether the interventions assisted with increasing self-efficacy for practicing positive psychological techniques as well as changes in mindfulness levels. Future studies should not only assess effectiveness for mental health outcomes but also assess knowledge translation, with valid measures of knowledge and self-efficacy for mental health-supportive behaviors and positive psychological skills acquired (eg, the ability to practice mindfulness).

Comprehensive Review of Chronic Stress Pathways and the Efficacy of Behavioral Stress Reduction Programs (BSRPs) in Managing Diseases

The connection between chronic psychological stress and the onset of various diseases, including diabetes, HIV, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions, is well documented. This review synthesizes current research on the neurological, immune, hormonal, and genetic pathways through which stress influences disease progression, affecting multiple body systems: nervous, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, musculoskeletal, and integumentary. Central to this review is an evaluation of 16 Behavioral Stress Reduction Programs (BSRPs) across over 200 studies, assessing their effectiveness in mitigating stress-related health outcomes. While our findings suggest that BSRPs have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of medical therapies and reverse disease progression, the variability in study designs, sample sizes, and methodologies raises questions about the generalizability and robustness of these results. Future research should focus on long-term, large-scale studies with rigorous methodologies to validate the effectiveness of BSRPs.

Mindful Self-Hypnosis Combined with Resistance Training to Reduce Perceived Stress and Improve Other Psychological Factors in Female College Students

Perceived stress is a significant problem among female college students that can impact psychological distress, sleep, and overall well-being. Mindful self-hypnosis (MSH) and resistance training (RT) have both been shown to reduce perceived stress. The rationale for the present study was to investigate whether MSH combined with RT could be more effective at reducing perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale than RT alone due to synergistic effects achieved by combining the interventions. Forty-four female college students were randomized to one of the three groups: MSH+RT, RT only, or a wait-list control (WLC). Results indicated that, compared to RT only, the addition of MSH led to pronounced improvements in perceived stress which was significantly greater than WLC. Also, MSH+RT resulted in significant increases in mindfulness, sleep, strength, and well-being in comparison to WLC. MSH+RT was shown to be feasible with highly satisfactory participant ratings. Future research should examine the MSH+RT intervention with a larger population and with older women who are more at risk for stress and declining strength.

EEG changes induced by meditative practices: State and trait effects in healthy subjects and in patients with epilepsy

The effect of meditation on brain activity has been the topic of many studies in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from chronic diseases. These effects are either explored during meditation practice (state effects) or as a longer-term result of meditation training during the resting-state (trait). The topic of this article is to first review these findings by focusing on electroencephalography (EEG) changes in healthy subjects with or without experience in meditation. Modifications in EEG baseline rhythms, functional connectivity and advanced nonlinear parameters are discussed in regard to feasibility in clinical applications. Secondly, we provide a state-of-the-art of studies that proposed meditative practices as a complementary therapy in patients with epilepsy, in whom anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent. In these studies, the effects of standardized meditation programs including elements of traditional meditation practices such as mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion are explored both at the level of psychological functioning and on the occurrence of seizures. Lastly, preliminary results are given regarding our ongoing study, the aim of which is to quantify the effects of a mindfulness self-compassion (MSC) practice on interictal and ictal epileptic activity. Feasibility, difficulties, and prospects of this study are discussed.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Mental Health and Psychological Quality of Life among University Students: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review

Background

Psychological distress is a progressive health problem that has been linked to decreased quality of life among university students. This meta-analysis reviews existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have examined the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the relief of psychosomatic stress-related outcomes and quality of life among university students.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO (formerly PsychLit), Ovid MEDLINE, ERIC, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases were searched in November 2023 to identify the RCTs for analysis. Data on pathology (anxiety, depression, and perceived stress), physical capacity (sleep quality and physical health), and well-being (mindfulness, self-kindness, social function, and subjective well-being) were analyzed.

Results

Of the 276 articles retrieved, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that MBSR had significant effects, reducing anxiety (SMD = -0.29; 95% CI: -0.49 to -0.09), depression (SMD = -0.32; 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.02), and perceived stress (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI: -0.60 to -0.29) and improving mindfulness (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.59), self-kindness (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.12), and physical health (SMD = -0.59; 95% CI: -1.14 to -0.04). No significant differences were observed in sleep quality (SMD = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.20), social function (SMD = -0.71; 95% CI: -2.40 to 0.97), or subjective well-being (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.32). The quality of the evidence regarding sleep quality and physical health outcomes was low.

Conclusions

MBSR therapy appears to be potentially useful in relieving functional emotional disorders. However, additional evidence-based large-sample trials are required to definitively determine the forms of mindfulness-based therapy that may be effective in this context and ensure that the benefits obtained are ongoing. Future studies should investigate more personalized approaches involving interventions that are tailored to various barriers and students' clinical characteristics. To optimize the effects of such interventions, they should be developed and evaluated using various designs such as the multiphase optimization strategy, which allows for the identification and tailoring of the most valuable intervention components.

Changes in Mental Health and EEG Biomarkers of Undergraduates Under Different Patterns of Mindfulness

The effects of short-term mindfulness are associated with the different patterns (autonomic, audio guided, or experienced and certified mindfulness instructor guided mindfulness). However, robust evidence for reported the impacts of different patterns of mindfulness on mental health and EEG biomarkers of undergraduates is currently lacking. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypotheses that mindfulness training for undergraduates would improve mental health, and increase alpha power over frontal region and theta power over midline region at the single electrode level. We also describe the distinction among frequency bands patterns in different sites of frontal and midline regions. 70 participants were enrolled and assigned to either 5-day mindfulness or a waiting list group. Subjective questionnaires measured mental health and other psychological indicators, and brain activity was recorded during various EEG tasks before and after the intervention. The 5-day mindfulness training improved trait mindfulness, especially observing (p = 0.001, d = 0.96) and nonreactivity (p = 0.03, d = 0.56), sleep quality (p = 0.001, d = 0.91), and social support (p = 0.001, d = 0.95) while not in affect. Meanwhile, the expected increase in the alpha power of frontal sites (p < 0.017, d > 0.84) at the single electrode level was confirmed by the current data rather than the theta. Interestingly, the alteration of low-beta power over the single electrode of the midline (p < 0.05, d > 0.71) was difference between groups. Short-term mindfulness improves practitioners' mental health, and the potentially electrophysiological biomarkers of mindfulness on neuron oscillations were alpha activity over frontal sites and low-beta activity over midline sites.

Bridging the gap between student and administrator perceptions of mindfulness in a university setting: An exploratory qualitative study

Objective: This study explores the perceptions of mindfulness among students and administrators in a university setting. Participants: In Study 1, six focus groups were conducted with 34 students. In Study 2, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six administrators involved with implementing mindfulness-based activities. Methods: Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data in Study 1. Study 2's data were examined according to the 4 major themes found in Study 1. Results: Students acknowledged the difficulty in defining the concept of mindfulness, yet its overall value for improving mental wellbeing was largely affirmed. Administrators perceived mindfulness as beneficial for students, but they expressed concern over low attendance at university-sponsored programs. Conclusions: For universities to harness the benefits of mindfulness, it is recommended that administrators mitigate barriers by having clearer guidance, preparing for emotional challenges, and integrating the practice into teaching, learning, and everyday activities.

Impact of Heartfulness meditation practice on anxiety, perceived stress, well-being, and telomere length

Objective

Exhaustion, stress, and burnout have all been found to be reduced using techniques like yoga and meditation. This study was carried out to check the effectiveness of Heartfulness practice (a form of meditation) on certain psychological and genetic variables.

Methods

A total of 100 healthy individuals (aged 18-24) were recruited and randomized into two groups-Heartfulness intervention and control group. The intervention was carried out for 03 months. Participants from both groups were analysed for their cortisol levels and telomere length before and after the intervention. Psychometric measures of anxiety, perceived stress, well-being and mindfulness were carried out using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), WHO-Well-being Index (WHO-WBI) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ).

Results

The cortisol levels in the meditators group significantly decreased (p < 0.001) after the intervention as compared to the non-meditators group, whereas, the telomere length increased in the mediators group. This increase was not significant (p > 0.05). Anxiety and perceived stress also decreased post intervention, and well-being as well as mindfulness increased, as assessed by the questionnaire tools, although the decrease in perceived stress was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). A negative correlation was observed between telomere length and cortisol (stress biomarker), whereas a positive correlation was found between telomere length and well-being.

Conclusion

Our data provide evidence that Heartfulness meditation practice can improve our mental health. Additionally, telomere length is shown to be affected by cortisol levels, and this meditation practice can also help to increase telomere length, and thereby slow down cellular aging. However, future studies with larger sample size are required to confirm our observations.

Mental health condition of vocational high school students during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

This study aimed to determine the mental health condition of vocational high school students in Indonesia during the pandemic using the Rasch analysis method with the DASS-42 instrument. A total of 1381 vocational students in Indonesia participated in this study through the questionnaire. The results showed that more than 60 % of Indonesian vocational students experienced mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic due to social restrictions, and online learning. Furthermore, the findings of this study showed that mental health issues were mostly experienced by female students, firstborn children, and students who live in rural areas, and from middle-income backgrounds.