Mindfulness

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on the quality of life and resilience of women suffering from chronic pain. Method: This was a quasi-experimental study using a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The sample consisted of 120 women with chronic pain who visited medical centers in Tonekabon, from which 30 were selected through simple random sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group (15 per group). Data were collected using the Quality of Life Questionnaire (Ware & Sherbourne, 1992) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003). The experimental group received eight weekly sessions based on the Kabat-Zinn protocol (2003). During this period, the control group did not receive any training. Data were analyzed using repeated measures and SPSS software version 22. Findings: The results indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly improved the quality of life (F=15.25, p<0.001) and resilience (F=38.86, p<0.001) of women with chronic pain. Conclusion: It can be concluded that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy enhances the quality of life and resilience of women with chronic pain and therefore, this therapy can be utilized to alleviate the problems faced by women with chronic pain.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group exercises and Emotion-Focused Group Therapy (EFGT) on the authentic happiness of critically ill inpatients and those recovered from COVID-19. Methods: The research utilized a quasi-experimental design with three groups (one control group and two experimental groups), conducted in three phases (pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up). The study population included all critically ill patients hospitalized and then recovered from COVID-19 during the second quarter of 2021 at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad. A sample size of 15 patients per group, totaling 45 patients, was considered. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups using a convenience sampling method. The training group (1) received eight 45-minute sessions of Emotion-Focused Group Therapy by Greenberg, Warwar, and Malcolm (2008), and training group (2) underwent eight 120-minute sessions of MBSR by Kabat-Zinn (2005), while the control group did not receive any treatment. Data were collected using Rashid's (2008) Authentic Happiness Inventory and analyzed using mixed ANOVA with repeated measures through SPSS-23 software. Findings: Results indicated that although both treatments had an effect on authentic happiness and its components up to the follow-up stage (p < 0.01), no significant difference in the effectiveness of the two treatments on authentic happiness in patients was observed. Conclusion: This research could broadly benefit the psychological state improvement in critically ill inpatients and those recovering from acute or chronic illnesses.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of adolescent-specific psychological security training with adolescent-centered mindfulness training on the well-being of adolescents experiencing psychological insecurity. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases, involving two experimental groups and one control group. The population included all male students aged 14 to 16 years in the city of Isfahan. Sixty students were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to the study groups. The research instrument was the Ryff Well-Being Questionnaire (1989). All three groups were assessed at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up using this instrument. The first experimental group received well-being training, while the second group received adolescent-centered mindfulness training. The control group was placed on a waiting list. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (repeated measures analysis of variance). Findings: The results indicated that both methods were effective in improving the well-being of these adolescents, and there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups in this regard (P = 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that both methods can enhance the psychological well-being of this group of adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based compassion therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy on ambiguity tolerance in female heads of households in Shahrekord. Methods: The research design was a quasi-experimental one, employing a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included female heads of households in Shahrekord. Sixty participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups (20 participants per group). The experimental groups underwent 8 sessions of mindfulness-based compassion therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy, each lasting 120 minutes. To determine the effectiveness of the interventions, the McLain Ambiguity Tolerance Questionnaire (1993) was used, and the data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings: The findings showed that the effectiveness of mindfulness-based compassion therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy compared to the control group on ambiguity tolerance in the post-test were (0.691) and (0.560), and in the follow-up were (0.755) and (0.632), respectively. Additionally, the results indicated that mindfulness-based compassion therapy was more effective than positive cognitive-behavioral therapy. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, mindfulness-based compassion therapy can be used as a more sustainable and effective intervention than positive cognitive-behavioral therapy to increase ambiguity tolerance in female heads of households.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of group compassion training and group choice theory training on mindfulness and needs satisfaction in couples at risk of divorce in Rasht. Methods: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and control group, including a follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of couples at risk of divorce who referred to counseling centers approved by the Welfare Organization of Rasht in 2023. A total of 60 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (compassion training and choice theory training) and one control group (20 participants in each group). The research utilized the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale as the main instruments. Both interventions were conducted in eight 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS 26. Findings: The results revealed significant differences in the effectiveness of group compassion training and group choice theory training (p < .01). Group compassion training was found to be more effective than choice theory training in improving mindfulness and needs satisfaction. Both training types significantly impacted mindfulness and needs satisfaction in couples at risk of divorce (p < .01). Conclusion: Both group compassion training and group choice theory training were effective in improving mindfulness and needs satisfaction among couples at risk of divorce, with compassion training showing greater effectiveness. These findings suggest that compassion training may provide a more suitable approach for enhancing psychological well-being in couples facing marital challenges.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases. The disease is clinically defined by the involvement of different parts of the central nervous system (CNS) at various times. Its peak incidence is between the ages of 20 and 40. The experience of pain plays an important role in the mental health and quality of life of MS patients. Research also shows that if MS patients have high levels of self-compassion, they can more easily manage negative situations. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training programs on the perception of pain experience and self-compassion in MS patients. Method: >The current research is an experiment with available sampling methods. The sample includes 40 MS patients, 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. Mindfulness training programs (Kabat—Zinn), the McGill Pain Experience Scale (MPQ), and the NF Self-Compassion Questionnaire (SCS-LF) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed through the statistical test of multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: >The results showed that the average difference between the groups regarding pain experience (F=49.270) and self-compassion (F=51.249) is significant. Therefore, it can be said that increasing self-compassion leads to higher efficiency in facing stressful situations. Conclusion >: Enhancing cognitive processes, particularly self-compassion, through mindfulness training can significantly influence individuals’ perception of pain. It is recommended that families receive appropriate training to develop strategies aimed at strengthening mindfulness skills in individuals.  

  Objective : Aging and the onset of old age are accompanied by inevitable changes in cognitive function. Therefore, considering the aging population and the importance of cognitive functions during this sensitive period, identifying factors affecting cognitive function to enhance their cognitive abilities deserves attention. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between optimism and mindfulness with cognitive function in the elderly. Methods : The present research employed a descriptive and correlational design. The statistical population of the study included all elderly adults residing in nursing homes in Guilan Province during the year 2020-2021. The study sample consisted of 160 elderly adults who were selected from nursing homes residents using purposive sampling. The research instruments included the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) for optimism, the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) for mindfulness, and the Cognitive Performance Evaluation Questionnaire (CPEQ) for cognitive function. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis (simultaneous method) at a significance level of 0.05. Results : The results showed a significant positive relationship between optimism and mindfulness with cognitive function, meaning that the more optimistic and mindful elderly adults were, the better their cognitive function. Furthermore, 34% of the variance in cognitive function was explained by optimism and mindfulness. Conclusion : Therefore, based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that optimism and mindfulness are important variables in predicting cognitive function (p < 0.05).

Equanimity, as a critical feature of well-being can be strengthened and Virtual reality (VR) can be employed to cultivate this capacity. No previous study has directly investigated the impact of different equanimity practices within VR and compared people’s preferences for different practices. This study was conducted to explore whether practicing equanimity within three VR scenarios can increase mind-body calmness. Three VR scenarios (<10 min) were developed. A within-subject study (n=75) was designed to assess impact of these practices in improving calmness indices. Participants were exposed to VR practice sessions combining sound of a teacher and three animation environments including Mountain, Ocean, and Sky facing with changes during a year or day. Participants’ experience of each session was assessed using heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, and self-reported ratings. Subjective state anxiety was also assessed at baseline and after the end of three VR sessions. Physiological indices were improved in Ocean practice compared to baseline and two other practices. Results showed that physiological indices during practices were correlated with self-reports of mindfulness, self-knowledge, and interoceptive awareness (p<.05). A significant reduction was observed in self-reported assessment of state anxiety. Generally, VR practices of equanimity were shown to induce mind-body calmness.