Preliminary feasibility of mindfulness in motion to improve physiological biomarkers of wellbeing in healthcare providers during dayshift hours
Justin J Merrigan, Maryanna Klatt, Catherine Quatman-Yates, Angela Emerson, Jamie Kronenberg, Morgan Orr, Jacqueline Caputo, Kayla Daniel, Anne-Marie Duchemin, Beth Steinberg, Joshua A Hagen
Discover Public Health May 25, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12982-025-00690-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Healthcare providers |
| Intervention | Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Breathwork Meditation |
| Keywords | Parasympathetic Autonomic nervous system Mental health |
| Key findings | Mindfulness in Motion improved heart rate variability, slowed respiration rate, and increased resilience in healthcare providers over eight weekly sessions. |
Abstract
Abstract Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) can improve stress, resiliency, and burnout in healthcare providers but physiological outcomes are unknown. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of MIM on respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV). Nineteen healthcare providers wore chest strap electrocardiography (ECG) devices and remained still and seated while data were recorded for 5 min prior to (MIM-Start) and after completing (MIM-End) each of the 8 weekly MIM sessions. Metrics included: HR, RR, root-mean square of successive differences between R–R intervals (RMSSD), standard deviation of R–R intervals (SDNN), absolute low frequency power (LF), and absolute high frequency power (HF). At MIM-End, average SDNN (47.8 ± 26.6 vs. 38.2 ± 16.7 ms) and LF Power (2375 ± 3306 vs. 906 ± 1272 ms2) were greater and RR was slower (11.9 ± 3.0 v. 13.9 ± 3.0 bpm) than MIM-Start (p < 0.05). The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale increased from Week-1 (27.7 ± 4.8) to Week-8 (31.5 ± 4.8, p < 0.001). Compared to Week-1, HR was slower and RMSSD was greater during weeks 2, 3, and 4. There were increases in SDNN and LF, as well as decreases in RR, HF Power, and LF/HF Ratio at MIM-Start for some later weeks compared to MIM-Start at Week-1 (p < 0.05). For healthcare workers in normal work hours, respiration rates were slower and HRV improved but HRV frequency metrics could suggest slight physiological arousal at the end of MIM sessions. These results should be taken with caution, but MIM improved physiological biomarkers of stress at the start of some of the 8 weekly sessions.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Physical Activity, Mindfulness Meditation, or Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Stress Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback June 25, 2015
- Quantitative change of EEG and respiration signals during mindfulness meditation Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation May 14, 2014
- Long-term mindfulness training is associated with reliable differences in resting respiration rate Scientific Reports June 7, 2016
- Sustained Impact of MBSR on Stress, Well-Being, and Daily Spiritual Experiences for 1 Year in Academic Health Care Employees The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 1, 2011
- Incorporating biofeedback into the Mindfulness in Motion Intervention for health care professionals: Impact on sleep and stress. Explore 2024
and 10 more in the library