Is it all in the Mind(fulness)? An Exploratory Study Assessing the Impact of Mindfulness on Professional Skepticism

Motivated by regulator concerns that auditors do not always demonstrate sufficient professional skepticism (hereafter skepticism); we consider whether a brief mindfulness intervention can assist. Research has demonstrated that mindfulness interventions help people focus on tasks in a range of settings. We draw on this research to predict, and find, that when novice auditors undertake a mindfulness intervention, they demonstrate greater skepticism than other novice auditors. This exploratory study provides preliminary evidence on an accessible intervention that can encourage greater skepticism.

Mindfulness-Based Well-Being Interventions in Organizations and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dramatic changes in social, economic, and working life have occurred with the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes cause stress for employees. Therefore, it is important to implement cost-effective and purposive interventions targeting employee well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these interventions is Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs). MBIs are generally implemented as a face to face with 8-session program. However, in the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has been adopted widely by organizations, causing an urgent need for digital well-being interventions. This study aims to investigate effectiveness of digital mindfulness-based interventions on employees' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do this, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on employee well-being will be explained in the first part. In the second part, mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions will be discussed. In the last part, digital mindfulness interventions and their effects on employee well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic will be clarified.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Psychosis

Individuals suffering with psychotic disorders face lifelong emotional dysregulation and may have impairments in their thought processes and perceptual experiences despite the availability to pharmacological treatment and good compliance. They feel extreme distress with their psychotic experiences that may result in avoidance of these experiences which may further warrant for residual symptoms and frequent hospitalizations. For a few decades literature has focused on exploring the possibilities of acceptance-based interventions in psychosis. Mindfulness interventions employ the strategies of direct use of meditation practice or combined use of meditation with acceptance-based or compassion-based practices. This chapter tends to summarize the various mindfulness interventions used for psychosis and review their feasibility in terms of evidence base and therapeutic specificity. Furthermore, it recommends the guidelines for protocol to be used with psychotic individuals and advocates the need for more methodologically rigorous evidence.

Improving Health of People With Multiple Sclerosis From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study in Parallel Groups: Preliminary Results on the Efficacy of a Mindfulness Intervention and Intention Implementation Associated With a Physical Activity Program

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of psychological Interventions – Mindfulness or Implementation Intention – associated with a Physical Activity program, delivered via internet, in reducing Multiple Sclerosis symptoms.Method: Thirty-five adults were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: a Mindfulness-Based Intervention group (N = 12), Implementation Intention group (N = 11), and a Control Group (N = 12). All the groups received the same Physical Activity program. The Mindfulness condition group received daily training in the form of pre-recorded sessions while the Implementation group elaborated their specific plans once a week. Mobility, fatigue, and the impact of the disease on the patient’s life were measured. Two measurement times are carried out in pre-post intervention, at baseline and after eight weeks.Results: Overall, after 8 weeks intervention, results show that there was a significant increase in Walking distance in the three groups. In addition, the within-group analysis showed a statistically significant improvement between pre and post intervention on the physical component of the Disease Impact scale in the Implementation Intention group (p = 0.023) with large effect size, in the Mindfulness-Based Intervention group (p = 0.008) with a medium effect size and in the control group (p = 0.028) with small effect size. In the Implementation Intention group, all physical, psychosocial and cognitive Fatigue Impact subscales scores decreased significantly (p = 0.022, p = 0.023, and p = 0.012, respectively) and the physical component was statistically and negatively correlated (r = −0.745; p = 0.008) when Implementation Intention group practice a mild to moderate physical activity. In the Mindfulness-Based Intervention group, the physical component (MFIS) showed a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.028) but no correlation with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); the control group outcomes did not reveal any significant change.Conclusion: The results of this study are very encouraging and show the feasibility of Mindfulness interventions associated with physical activity to improve the health of people with MS. Further study should assess Mindfulness interventions tailored to MS condition and using both hedonic and eudemonic measures of happiness.

Co-Designing a New Yoga-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Survivors of Stroke: A Formative Evaluation

Movement-based mindfulness interventions (MBI) are complex, multi-component interventions for which the design process is rarely reported. For people with stroke, emerging evidence suggests benefits, but mainstream programs are generally unsuitable. We aimed to describe the processes involved and to conduct a formative evaluation of the development of a novel yoga-based MBI designed for survivors of stroke. We used the Medical Research Council complex interventions framework and principles of co-design. We purposefully approached health professionals and consumers to establish an advisory committee for developing the intervention. Members collaborated and iteratively reviewed the design and content of the program, formatted into a training manual. Four external yoga teachers independently reviewed the program. Formative evaluation included review of multiple data sources and documentation (e.g., formal meeting minutes, focus group discussions, researcher observations). The data were synthesized using inductive thematic analysis. Three broad themes emerged: (a) MBI content and terminology; (b) manual design and readability; and (c) barriers and enablers to deliver the intervention. Various perspectives and feedback on essential components guided finalizing the program. The design phase of a novel yoga-based MBI was strengthened by interdisciplinary, consumer contributions and peer review. The 12-week intervention is ready for testing among survivors of stroke.

Using a Digital Meditation Application to Mitigate Anxiety and Sleep Problems in Children with ADHD

Objective: ADHD affects 11% of children in the United States and is associated with significant levels of anxiety. Although the literature supports mindfulness-based interventions as a promising strategy for managing anxiety, it falls short in the feasibility of digital mindfulness interventions. Method: This study investigated the usefulness of the pediatric version of Headspace, a digital mindfulness program, for reducing stress in 18 children with ADHD. We conducted a 4-week pilot study to evaluate the Headspace digital mindfulness application for children ages 6 to 12 with ADHD. Parents completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire at baseline and endpoint. Results: Participants had an average age of 9.2 years and were 78% male. The Headspace intervention significantly reduced anxiety and sleep problems in children with ADHD. Conclusion: Children with ADHD and comorbid anxiety and/or sleep problems could benefit from a digitally based meditation application. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)