Characterizing Nature Videos for an Attention Placebo Control for MBSR: The Development of Nature-Based Stress Reduction (NBSR).
Danielle Giachos, Myrella Paschali, Michael Datko, Thomas Fatkin, Asimina Lazaridou, Ted J Kaptchuk, Vitaly Napadow, Robert R Edwards, Zev Schuman-Olivier
Mindfulness June 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01903-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational validation study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 127 |
| Population | Amazon Mechanical Turk Workers |
| Intervention | unpleasant |
| Measures | emotional valence ratings, self-reported arousal |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Nature video clips were successfully categorized into pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral valence groups, with significant differences in mean valence ratings between all three categories (ANOVA p<0.001; pairwise t-tests p<0.01 to p<0.001). The authors argue that this pattern of affective variability parallels the heterogeneity of subjective experiences during mindfulness meditation, supporting the use of these videos as an attention- and valence-matched placebo control. |
Abstract
Various active control interventions for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) have been developed, though many can fall short in controlling for non-specific or placebo effects. We developed a Nature-Based Stress Reduction (NBSR) program based on previously reported positive results from virtual natural environment exposure on mental health. In the present study, we validated the nature video component of NBSR as an attention-matched activity equivalent to the formal meditation practice components of MBSR. Key components of MBSR were matched in NBSR to ensure equality in structure, duration, contacts, and intensity, but not in specific active components (i.e., mindfulness meditation). MBSR meditation during group sessions was matched in NBSR by videos consisting of scenes of nature. Each video had a ratio of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral valence clips consistent with the documented heterogeneity of affective experiences during mindfulness meditation. Amazon Mechanical Turk Workers (n=127) rated emotional valence and self-reported arousal for each video clip. Mean valence ratings significantly differed between the three categories of nature videos clips using an ANOVA test (p<0.001). Follow-up pairwise t-tests revealed significant differences between valence ratings for pleasant vs. unpleasant (p<0.001), neutral vs. unpleasant (p<0.001), and pleasant vs. neutral (p<0.01). The subjective experience of NBSR nature videos was reported as pleasant, with higher variability reported for unpleasant clips. This pattern generally parallels the variability and heterogeneity of subjective experiences during mindfulness meditation. These findings demonstrate that the nature video component of NBSR provides a promising attention- and valence-matched placebo activity unrelated to mindfulness meditation.
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 10
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry October 22, 2018
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 2, 2019
and 5 more in the library