A perioperative mind-body intervention (MBI) consisting of two seven-minute guided meditations—including diaphragmatic breathing, body scans, and guided imagery focused on the leg receiving surgery—was designed for patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions under procedural sedation. The intervention was developed using the ORBIT model: Phase 1a involved literature review and protocol drafting; Phase 1b used a modified Delphi process with a multi-disciplinary expert panel, reaching consensus after three iterations. The resulting MBI aims to decrease perioperative anxiety and facilitate patient compliance during surgery. A prospective pilot study is planned to test feasibility.
Personality traits were once considered largely fixed, but current evidence shows that experiences, adventures, and mind-body training can influence who we are. This column explores whether psychedelic drugs and hallucinogens might also be capable of altering personality traits, presenting the idea as challenging and almost intoxicating.
A pilot study tested the feasibility of a 4-week bedtime mindfulness meditation program guided by a smartphone app for people with chronic insomnia. Of 13 participants recruited, 10 completed the protocol (77% retention). Completion rates for physiological and psychometric data exceeded 90%, and app use compliance was 91%. Preliminary analysis showed improvements in sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index change -3.7), insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index change -4.5), and presleep arousal (Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale change -7.7). Qualitative interviews revealed benefits including decreased catastrophizing, acceptance, body awareness, and relaxation. The hybrid in-lab and at-home study design was deemed feasible and acceptable for future research.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials with 1,714 subjects found that meditation practices produce small to medium improvements in pro-social emotions and behaviors. The effects were similar for self-reported emotions and observed behavioral outcomes, and held even when compared with active control groups. Most studies used compassion or loving-kindness meditation over 8–12 weeks in healthy adults. The findings suggest meditation can enhance empathy, compassion, and helping behavior.
In adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program increased functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and both the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and showed trends of reduced hippocampal atrophy compared to usual care. These preliminary results suggest MBSR may positively affect brain regions linked to MCI and Alzheimer's disease, though larger studies with longer follow-up are needed.