Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Body Awareness
Marbella Pérez-Peña, Jessica Notermans, Olivier Desmedt, K. van der Gucht, P. Philippot
Brain Science February 1, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020285 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAn 8-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) improved self-reported body awareness but not an indirect measure of body awareness. The MBI reduced symptomatology, an effect mediated by regulatory and belief-related dimensions of body awareness. Multiple mediator models showed that improved body awareness alongside changes in experiential avoidance, rumination, self-efficacy, and self-discrepancy mediated the relationship between the MBI and reduced symptoms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Non-randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 148 |
| Population | Participants (n = 89 in the MBI group; n = 59 in the control group); a sub-sample of 86 completed an indirect measure of body awareness |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based intervention |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | The MBI significantly reduced symptomatology, mediated by regulatory and belief-related dimensions of body awareness and various transdiagnostic psychological processes. |
Abstract
Body awareness (BA) has long been proposed as a working mechanism of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), yet research on the mediating role of BA is scarce. Hence, the present study assesses the impact of an 8-week MBI on self-reported and indirect measures of BA, investigates the potential mediating role of BA in the relationship between an MBI and symptomatology, evaluates the impact of an MBI on important psychological processes (i.e., experiential avoidance, rumination, self-efficacy, and self-discrepancy), and explores whether these variables act alongside BA in mediating the relationship between an MBI and symptomatology. A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 148 participants (n = 89 in the MBI group; n = 59 in the control group) who completed questionnaires assessing BA and the above-mentioned psychological processes before and after an MBI. A sub-sample of participants (n = 86) completed a task that evaluates BA indirectly. Results showed a significant effect of MBI on the self-reported BA but not on the indirect measure of BA. The MBI significantly reduced symptomatology, and this effect was mediated by regulatory and belief-related dimensions of BA. Multiple mediator models showed a significant mediation via various pathways involving improved BA and various transdiagnostic psychological processes.