Effects of an eight-session mindfulness training program on mindfulness skills and the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio in psychiatric nurses: A quasi-experimental pilot study
Mina Kohansal, Farzin Farahbod, Hamidreza Rezaee Kelidbari, Kiomars Najafi
Iranian Journal of Burns and Wound Research September 30, 2026 DOI: 10.66224/ijbwr.2.3.73 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pilot study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Psychiatric nurses |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training |
| Duration | Eight weekly 60-minute sessions |
| Measures | Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), electroencephalography (EEG) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training was associated with significantly higher post-test mindfulness scores across all four KIMS components, with adjusted mean differences of 6.38, 4.45, 5.89, and 7.66 points for observing, describing, concentration, and acceptance. The Cz EEG theta/beta ratio increased from 1.29 to 2.11 in the intervention group, but a complete between-group statistical comparison could not be reconstructed, so the authors interpret this descriptively and describe the findings as preliminary and exploratory. |
Abstract
Psychiatric nurses experience substantial occupational stress and emotional demands, but few studies have assessed both self-reported mindfulness and electrophysiological outcomes following mindfulness training. This quasi-experimental pilot study evaluated an eight-session mindfulness training program in 20 psychiatric nurses randomly allocated to intervention and control groups (10 per group). The intervention group received eight weekly 60-minute sessions, while controls received no intervention. Mindfulness was assessed using the 39-item Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), and electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance. Post-test mindfulness scores were significantly higher in the intervention group (Pillai's Trace = 0.931, F (3,17) = 119.880, P = 0.001, partial η² = 0.933), with significant differences across all four KIMS components (all P = 0.001). Adjusted mean differences were 6.38, 4.45, 5.89, and 7.66 points for observing, describing, concentration, and acceptance, respectively. The Cz EEG theta/beta ratio increased from 1.29 at pre-test to 2.11 at post-test in the intervention group; however, a complete between-group pre–post statistical comparison could not be reconstructed from the available records, so this finding was interpreted descriptively. Overall, mindfulness training was associated with improved mindfulness skills and an observed increase in the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio. Given the small sample and methodological limitations, particularly in EEG analysis, the findings are preliminary and exploratory. Larger, adequately powered multicenter randomized controlled studies with standardized EEG procedures and longer follow-up are warranted.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- Mindfulness meditation training alters cortical representations of interoceptive attention Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience June 11, 2012
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
- Quantitative change of EEG and respiration signals during mindfulness meditation Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation May 14, 2014
and 4 more in the library