Background This study explored patients’ reasons for participating in a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course offered by their general practitioner and their experiences and outcomes of the course. Method Data were obtained through qualitative interviews with ten participants (aged 44–75 years) of European descent, from a general practice in Denmark. The participants had varying levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and had completed a mindfulness course, referred by their respective general practitioners. Participants were required to pay a modest fee to participate. Qualitative interviews were chosen to facilitate an in-depth exploration of participants’ subjective experiences and perspectives. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns, providing profound insights into participants’ experiences. The intervention comprised of a six to eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program with weekly sessions of one and a half to two and a half hours duration. The participants were urged to practice mindfulness training for approximately 45 min every day during the course. The practice was supported by audio resources and a manual, covering meditation, yoga, and exercises based on MBSRs framework. Results Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) Reasons for patients’ participation: Patients enrolled in the course as a response to stress-related symptoms and placed their trust in the recommendations of their general practitioners. (2) Outcomes of the course: Participants gained emotion regulation tools, present-moment awareness, and enhanced coping strategies, resulting in greater control over emotions and a shift towards acceptance and self-awareness, and (3) Integration of mindfulness into daily life: Participants incorporated mindfulness using breathing techniques to cultivate serenity. Conclusion The study indicates that patients in general practice have a positive attitude towards mindfulness as a part of the stress treatment in general practice. The patient’s interest was supported by trustful doctor-patient relationships. The participants experienced improved emotion regulation and enhanced coping strategies. These findings underscore the benefits of integrating mindfulness into general practice. However, mindfulness is not available within Denmark’s free healthcare system, limiting its benefits for vulnerable groups.

Scientific Reports - The role of prompt, voice, and personality factors in the acceptance and evaluation of AI-generated mindfulness exercises

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In a pilot study, physicians and nurses who took part in mindfulness training combined with psilocybin therapy experienced greater reductions in depression symptoms than those who practiced mindfulnes...

Unsustainable consumption has intensified global crises despite increasing sustainability efforts by government bodies, environmental institutions, bu…

Detached self-observation, a central dimension of mindfulness meditation, has emerged as a key metacognitive and emotional-regulatory capacity across psychol...

Background: Pregnancy is a vulnerable period for women, exposing them to various mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The perinatal period is particularly crucial because the mother's ...

An oceanography journal has retracted a 2017 paper by a group of researchers in China after learning from a reader that one of the authors had a bogus affiliation in the United States. The paper, “…

Materials scientists warn that raw data and replication studies are needed to tackle the looming threat of near-undetectable AI fraud

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction in patients with post-stroke mild depression.MethodsA total of 80 patients w...

Recent calls for mindfulness measures beyond self-report abound, especially for children. Because breath awareness is central to many mindfulness practices, ...

Bedtime app-guided MM as an intervention in patients with insomnia and the hybrid study design with in-lab and at-home assessments are feasible and acceptable. This study informs the design of future ...

Objective This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between borderline personality disorder symptoms, and mindfulness. Method We identified 20 eligible studies (n = 5736) that we included in the meta-analysis. We hypothesized a negative association between borderline personality disorder symptoms and mindfulness, with potential moderation by participant and study characteristics. We used meta-analytic techniques. Results The results indicate a negative relationship between borderline personality disorder symptoms and mindfulness (r = -0.32, 95% CI [-0.38, -0.26]). The association was stronger in studies using the total score of borderline personality disorder symptoms (r = -0.38, 95% CI [-0.46, -0.30]) compared to the studies assessing individual subscales. Non-judging (r = -0.46) and acting with awareness (r = -0.35) showed the strongest negative associations, while observing showed a positive association (r = 0.11). The relation is also stronger in studies using European samples (r = -0.51) and in those using The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (r = -0.45). Conclusions The negative relationship between borderline personality disorder symptoms and mindfulness across clinical and non-clinical samples suggests that mindfulness-based interventions could be beneficial for prevention programs in at-risk populations. Furthermore, the stronger relationships observed with non-judgment and acting with awareness suggest that clinical interventions could benefit from specifically emphasizing these components. Preregistration This study was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42024558067).

Several MRI artifacts contribute to the neuronal activity signal picked up by the method, according to a preprint the authors posted this month.

A growing body of research suggests that mindfulness has applications well beyond mental health, and that people who meditate are more likely to fulfill their health goals.

Scientific Reports - The key role of cognitive fusion linking mindfulness and personality: a cross-sectional study

Digital distractions may not be the sole reason for your diminished attention span, but they surely contribute. Here's what you can do to increase your concentration.

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Young people across the globe face the escalating challenge of mental health. Traditional interventions focus on symptom reduction, neglecting proactive measures to foster happiness. This paper syn...

Schussler: I have researched mindfulness in American schools for 15 years and programs vary, making it difficult to study the benefits on students

Benjamin Lewis and colleagues explore the therapeutic use of psilocybin coupled with mindfulness training compared with mindfulness training alone to tackle burnout and depression in healthcare provid...

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The National Trust is inviting visitors to slow down and discover the mental health benefits of Self-portrait wearing a Feathered Bonnet