An 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program was associated with lower stress levels and higher mindfulness self-efficacy and positive states of mind after the intervention compared to before. The findings suggest MBSR may help with stress management, awareness, attention training, and fostering positive mental states.
A pilot study compared four meditation techniques for personal preference among 247 undergraduate students. Participants learned Vipassana (Mindfulness), Zen, Mantra, and Qigong Visualization over six weeks, practicing one method per week. After training, they ranked the techniques by preference. Significantly more students chose Vipassana or Mantra as their preferred methods over Qigong Visualization and Zen. The findings suggest that individual preference for meditation type varies and may influence sustained practice, which is important for achieving therapeutic benefits.