Recovery from stress: an experimental examination of focused attention meditation in novices.
Amy R Borchardt, Peggy M Zoccola
Journal of Behavioral Medicine May 30, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-018-9932-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 99 |
| Population | Undergraduate meditation novices |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Random allocation Adaptation, psychological Stress, psychological Emotions Attention Heart rate Female Young adult Coping Cardiovascular recovery |
| Key findings | After a standardized stressor, meditators' heart rate variability and skin conductance returned to baseline, while only heart rate variability returned to baseline in the audio book and control groups. Meditation also left positive and negative affect at baseline levels, whereas the other groups showed lower positive affect and higher negative affect. The authors suggest meditation uniquely affects the sympathetic nervous system and may aid emotional recovery in novices. |
Abstract
Identifying strategies that aid in recovery from stress may benefit cardiovascular health. Ninety-nine undergraduate meditation novices were randomly assigned to meditate, listen to an audio book, or sit quietly after a standardized stressor. During recovery, meditators' heart rate variability and skin conductance levels returned to baseline, whereas only heart rate variability returned to baseline for the audio book and control groups. Positive and negative affect were no different than baseline following meditation, whereas, both audio book and control groups had lower positive affect and higher negative affect following the intervention. Findings suggest that the sympathetic nervous system is uniquely affected by meditation, and novices may benefit emotionally from meditating after a stressor. Further research is needed to determine meditation's utility in recovering from stress.
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 5
- The Effect of a Brief Mindfulness Practice on Perceived Stress and Sustained Attention: Does Priming Matter? Mindfulness June 6, 2022
- Effect of a single session of yoga and meditation on stress reactivity: A systematic review. Stress and Health June 1, 2024
- Doing what matters in times of stress: No-nonsense meditation and occupational well-being in COVID-19. PLoS One 2023
- Electroencephalographic neural correlates and deep learning analysis of a single brief focused mindfulness meditation in young adults: A pilot study. Digital health 2025
- Comparing the Psychological Effects of Meditation- and Breathing-Focused Yoga Practice in Undergraduate Students Frontiers in Psychology November 12, 2020
Cites 6
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation Annals of Behavioral Medicine November 15, 2006
- Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences April 1, 2008
- Acute effects of transcendental meditation on hemodynamic functioning in middle-aged adults. Psychosomatic Medicine 1999
- A controlled study of the effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on cardiovascular reactivity and ambulatory blood pressure. International Journal of Neuroscience January 1997
and 1 more in the library