Unpacking the Mechanisms: How Mindfulness Facets Shape Subjective and Biological Responses to Yoga Nidra Meditation
Esther N. Moszeik, Carolin El-Mahdy
Mindfulness March 12, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02773-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 255 |
| Population | Adults (not further specified) participating in an online or app-based intervention |
| Intervention | Yoga Nidra |
| Dose | 11-min or 30-min sessions |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Measures | Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Higher trait mindfulness was associated with greater reductions in stress (p=0.006) and rumination (p=0.004) in the 11-min Yoga Nidra group, and smaller decreases in total cortisol output (p=0.006) in the 30-min group. Nonjudging predicted greater anxiety reduction (p=0.020) and life satisfaction gains (p=0.024), while Observing predicted smaller life satisfaction gains (p=0.042). |
Abstract
The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions can vary depending on individual characteristics. Higher baseline mindfulness may enhance receptivity to meditation practices such as Yoga Nidra. This study investigated whether trait mindfulness moderated the effects of Yoga Nidra interventions on stress, anxiety, depression, rumination, life satisfaction, sleep quality, and diurnal cortisol levels. Participants ( N = 255) were randomly assigned to either 11-min Yoga Nidra (EG1; n = 101), 30-min Yoga Nidra (EG2; n = 80), or an active music control group (ACG; n = 74). The intervention period was 8 weeks. Structural equation modeling was used to examine moderation effects, with mindfulness measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Higher trait mindfulness was associated with greater reductions in stress ( p = 0.006), and rumination ( p = 0.004) in the Yoga Nidra short-form group (EG1) and smaller decreases in total cortisol output ( p = 0.006) in the Yoga Nidra long-form group (EG2). The results in EG1 were mainly associated with the Describing facet. Nonjudging further predicted a greater decrease in anxiety ( p = 0.020) in EG1 and a greater increase in life satisfaction ( p = 0.024) in EG2. Observing predicted smaller gains in satisfaction with life ( p = 0.042) in EG2. The findings highlight that individual mindfulness facets exert distinct influences on the psychological and physiological outcomes of Yoga Nidra. Describing and Nonjudging emerged as the most consistent moderators, reflecting mechanisms of emotional labeling and acceptance that align closely with Yoga Nidra. In contrast, Observing appeared to function particularly well in music-based interventions, where awareness unfolds without deliberate cognitive monitoring. These results emphasize the importance of trait mindfulness for understanding personalized mechanisms of relaxation and self-regulation. This study was not preregistered in a publicly accessible registry.
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
Cites 9
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Mindfulness-Based and Mindfulness-Informed Interventions at the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of RCTs. Mindfulness May 11, 2023
and 4 more in the library