The effects of four days of intensive mindfulness meditation training (Templestay program) on resilience to stress: a randomized controlled trial.
Wu-Jeong Hwang, Tae Young Lee, Kyung-Ok Lim, Dahye Bae, Seoyeon Kwak, Hye-Yoon Park, Jun Soo Kwon
Psychology, Health & Medicine June 2018 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2017.1363400 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 51 |
| Population | Adults recruited into experimental and control groups (clinical and non-clinical populations implied) |
| Duration | 4 days of intervention, with 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS), modified Korean version of the Resilience Quotient Test (RQT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Relaxation Resilience Stress |
| Key findings | Both the 4-day Templestay meditation program and a relaxation control produced significant increases in mindfulness (CAMS) and resilience (RQT) scores immediately after the intervention. At 3-month follow-up, a significant interaction of intervention method and time was found for both measures. The authors argue that stress-reduction effects are predominantly mediated by mindfulness meditation practice, and that the long-term resilience gains in the Templestay group suggest it may be a possible treatment strategy for clinical populations such as patients with depression and anxiety. |
Abstract
The interest in mindfulness meditation interventions has surged due to their beneficial effects in fostering resilience and reducing stress in both clinical and non-clinical populations. However, the relaxation benefits that may occur while practicing mindfulness meditation and long-term benefits of these interventions remain unclear. Fifty-one participants were recruited and randomized into the experimental and control groups, which underwent 4 days of Intensive Meditation (Templestay program, n = 33) and Relaxation (Control, n = 18), respectively. The self-report measures of Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS) and the modified Korean version of the Resilience Quotient Test (RQT) were administered pre-, post- and 3 months after the intervention to measure participants' levels of mindfulness and resilience. Participants in both the Templestay program and Control groups showed significant increases in their scores on CAMS and RQT after completing the program. During the 3-month follow-up, a significant interaction effect of the intervention method and time was revealed for the individuals' CAMS and RQT scores. Our findings support the hypothesis that while relaxation practices may have certain stress reduction effects, the effects are predominantly mediated by the mindfulness meditation practice. Furthermore, the long-term benefits of increased resilience observed in the Templestay program group suggest that the practice may be a possible treatment strategy in clinical populations, such as patients with depression and anxiety.
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
Cited by 10
- The Value of Contemplative Practices: A Mixed Methods Approach Exploring Associations between Resilience and Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Older Adults International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health August 17, 2022
- Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based parenthood intervention for mothers and self compassion intervention for girls on resilience of teenage girls having parent-child conflict in COVID-19 Pandemic 2023
- A Self-Managed Online Mindfulness Program in a University-Wide Learning Management System Orientation Site: A Real-World Ecological Validation Study. Frontiers in Psychology May 6, 2022
- The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on resilience of vulnerable women at drop-in centers in the southeast of Iran BMC Women's Health June 27, 2021
- Brain Energy Metabolism in Two States of Mind Measured by Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2021
and 5 more in the library
Cites 4
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness Meditation, Anxiety Reduction, and Heart Disease Family & Community Health 2003
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research July 1, 2004
- An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry April 1, 1982