Frontiers in Public Health
July 20, 2026
Vivian Wl Tsang, Pamela Kryskow, Crosbie Watler et al.
A hybrid group model combining virtual resilience-based community of practice sessions with one in-person psilocybin-assisted therapy session was feasible and safe for 25 palliative cancer patients. Over one year, 31 therapy sessions were delivered across four cohorts, with 84% completing the program. Participants reported enhanced trust in self, improved outlook on life, and strengthened connection to community. Peer support, relational safety, and regulation practices were central to outcomes. The model offers a scalable, cost-effective approach for end-of-life care, though attention to individual preference, room logistics, and sensory control during group dosing is needed.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 1, 2026
My Ngoc To, Ramona Beltrán, Keli King
A scoping review of 35 intervention studies found that contemplative practices—such as creative, relational, ritual, and stillness exercises—are increasingly used to heal historical trauma, especially in Indigenous communities. Most interventions occurred at the community or group level, and more than half used contemplative practices as a core component. Seven healing mechanisms were identified: establishing safety and belonging, revitalizing culture, increasing well-being, processing emotion, raising consciousness, changing narratives, and growing empowerment. The review calls for recognizing culturally grounded practices in contemplative science and for research partnerships with BIPOC communities.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 1, 2025
Chao Liu, Yehui Tu, Li-Jen Lin et al.
A four-week loving-kindness meditation (LKM) program delivered via a short video app improved interpersonal mindfulness, empathy, interdisciplinary collaboration, positive affect, and workplace well-being, while reducing negative affect among full-time employees. In a randomized controlled trial with 100 participants aged 25–60, those who completed daily three-minute LKM sessions showed significantly greater gains in all measured outcomes compared with a no-intervention control group. The findings suggest that brief, digitally guided compassion-based practices can be a feasible tool for enhancing emotional regulation and prosocial qualities in workplace settings.
Frontiers in Public Health
December 18, 2023
Ana María González-martín, Agustín Aibar-Almazán, Yulieth Rivas-Campo et al.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies found that mindfulness-based programs reduce poor sleep quality in healthy non-institutionalized older adults. The overall effect size was moderate and negative (Hedge's g = −0.344, 95% CI −0.425 to −0.263), indicating improvement. Subgroup analyses showed similar effects across measures: Insomnia Severity Index (g = −0.326), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (g = −0.343), and Sleep Onset Latency (g = −0.28). The authors conclude that mindfulness could be a viable treatment option for insomnia or other sleep problems in this population.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 9, 2023
Hongyang Liu, Kexin Cai, Jinyang Wang et al.
A meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 1,138 menopausal women found that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly reduced stress (standardized mean difference −0.84), but showed no statistically significant effects on anxiety, depression, or mindfulness scores. The authors conclude that MBIs may reduce stress in this population, while their impact on other outcomes requires further validation.
Frontiers in Public Health
July 29, 2022
Preeti Upadhyay, Shilpa Narayanan, Tanvi Khera et al.
Seasoned yoga practitioners from the Isha Foundation had significantly lower perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, and higher wellbeing and joy compared to non-practitioners randomized to a brief Isha practice or daily reading. Median Perceived Stress Scale scores were lower for yoga practitioners at baseline (11 vs. 16), 6 weeks (9 vs. 12–14), and 12 weeks (9 vs. 11.5–13). Among compliant randomized participants, the active comparator also showed lower stress than placebo at 12 weeks. Regular yoga practices appear to support mental health even during a pandemic.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 1, 2022
Gang Wu, Shanshan Wang, Tingling Wang et al.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, six young adults who abused nitrous oxide were hospitalized with neurological symptoms including limb numbness and an unsteady gait. Laboratory tests showed four had low vitamin B12 and three had elevated homocysteine levels, though none had pernicious anemia. Spinal MRI revealed abnormal signals in the cervical spinal cord in four patients, and five had peripheral nerve damage on electromyography. Psychological evaluations indicated severe anxiety, depression, and psychosis in all patients, more severe than in the general population. Their motivations for inhaling nitrous oxide included boredom, curiosity, and peer pressure, and their families spent less than one day per week with them during the lockdown.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 1, 2021
Caio Fábio Schlechta Portella, Ricardo Ghelman, Veronica Abdala et al.
An evidence map of 191 systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering 1994 to 2019 shows that meditation, especially mindfulness, has been studied across many health conditions. Most reviews reported positive effects and beneficial potential of meditation. Health outcomes were grouped into five categories; mental health and vitality, along with well-being and quality of life, had the most studies. Of the included reviews, 22 had high confidence, 84 moderate, and 82 low. This map is intended as a visual tool for patients, clinicians, and managers to access evidence on meditation as a complementary therapy.
Frontiers in Public Health
February 28, 2020
Benjamin W Chrisinger, Tia Rich
College and university campuses reflect societal values and must adapt to changing norms. Since the 1970s, workplace health promotion programs have been common, but campus well-being initiatives often neglect contemplative practices. This case study describes Contemplation By Design, an initiative at Stanford University that integrates physical spaces and programs for mindfulness and contemplation into daily campus life for students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, and nearby retirees. The authors offer practical recommendations for designing contemplative practice spaces and programs based on this experience, aiming to provide generalizable, community-based well-being resources that can be emulated in diverse campus settings.