Brief mindfulness session improves mood and increases salivary oxytocin in psychology students.
Miguel Bellosta-Batalla, María Del Carmen Blanco-Gandía, Marta Rodríguez‐arias, Ausiàs Cebolla, Josefa Pérez-Blasco, Luis Moya-Albiol
Stress and Health October 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2942 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 68 |
| Population | Psychology students |
| Intervention | Guided meditation exercises |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Body scan meditation Breathing meditation Brief mindfulness intervention Empathy Oxytocin University students |
| Key findings | A brief mindfulness session significantly increased salivary oxytocin and reduced negative affect and state anxiety in psychology students compared to a control activity. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to be effective in increasing empathy in health professionals. Yet, more research is needed to analyse the specific influence of mindfulness exercises on biological variables involved in empathy, such as the biological system of oxytocin activity. In this study, we analyse the effects of a brief mindfulness session on positive and negative affect, state anxiety and salivary oxytocin (sOXT) in psychology students (N = 68). In the experimental group (n = 42), a mindfulness session was performed that included different guided meditation exercises. In the control group (n = 26), an emotion recognition exercise was carried out, along with a series of creative activities. Results showed that the mindfulness session was effective, because there was a significant reduction in negative affect (d = -.56, p < .001) and state anxiety (d = -.54, p = .007) in the experimental group. Likewise, there was an increase in sOXT (d = .99, p < .001) in this group, compared with the control group. Guided mindfulness meditation practice could be useful to reach an emotional and biological state that facilitates empathy. In this regard, the increase in sOXT after the mindfulness session adds further evidence about the biological mechanisms underlying the benefits of MBI on empathy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- Discussion on the Application of Mindfulness Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Narrative Review Psychology Research and Behavior Management August 1, 2025
- Illuminating consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology 2026
- Exploring the mechanistic link between the oxytocinergic system and mindfulness training in adults with heightened stress: study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (MOX-MIND). BMC Psychiatry July 1, 2025
- Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024
- Bridging Ecologies through Contemplative Technologies: Existential Relevance of Huatou 話頭 and the Huayan sanmei men 華嚴三昧門 for Oxytocin and Environmentally Sustainable Behavior Religions October 25, 2024
and 6 more in the library
Cites 9
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations Psychological Medicine November 27, 2009
- Brief mindfulness training for negative affectivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 25, 2018
- Illustrating novel techniques for analyzing single-case experiments: Effects of pre-session mindfulness practice. Journal of Counseling Psychology November 2018
and 4 more in the library