Differential Effects of Mindful Breathing and Loving Kindness Meditations: A Component Analysis Pilot Study
Sarah J. Bolognino, Tyler L. Renshaw, Mary L. Phan
PsyArXiv July 30, 2021 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/jd764 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study |
|---|---|
| Population | College undergraduates |
| Interventions | Mindful breathing meditation (MBM) loving-kindness meditation (LKM) relaxation control |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | All conditions improved substantially over time, with statistically significant and very large main effects of time. Significant time-by-condition interactions appeared for only one process variable and one mental health outcome. Descriptive between-group effect sizes suggested isolated mindful breathing and loving-kindness meditation performed favorably compared with combined and relaxation control conditions, though the authors characterize this as a modest contribution warranting further research. |
Abstract
Objectives: Mindful breathing meditation (MBM) and loving-kindness meditation (LKM) are common components of effective mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). This pilot study examined the differential effects of MBM and LKM on purported therapeutic process variables and mental health outcomes via component analysis.
Methods: The research design was a randomized controlled trial with four conditions: MBM, LKM, combined (MBM+LKM), and a relaxation control. Participants were college undergraduates. Condition effects were analyzed across seven therapeutic process variables and three mental health outcomes. Treatment integrity and treatment acceptability data were also collected.
Results: Findings indicated statistically significant and very large main effects of time, regardless of condition. Statistically significant time by condition interactions were only observed for one process variable and one mental health outcome. Follow-up descriptive evaluation of between-group effect sizes indicated patterns of favorable effects for MBM and LKM over the combined and relaxation control conditions. Treatment integrity and treatment acceptability data indicated very favorable social validity across conditions.
Conclusion: We conclude that the findings make a modest yet value-added contribution to the MBI component analysis literature, suggesting differentiated performance among isolated MBM and LKM exercises compared to combined and control conditions. Yet further research is warranted to improve upon the limitations of this study.
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 |