Discussion 2: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Interventions

According to Garland (2013), there is skepticism about mindfulness as an effective intervention. Often, because of its philosophical roots in Buddhism, practitioners and scholars equate mindfulness with “New Age” beliefs. As a result, some may wonder how effective mindfulness interventions are. Recall from Week 1 that it is important to answer the question about the effectiveness of interventions by using empirical evidence rather than experiences or intuition.

You may not have experienced or practiced mindfulness. After you listen to the recordings found on the website listed in the Learning Resources, reflect on some of the following questions: (1) What did you notice? (2) What were you thinking while you were listening? (3) What were you feeling while you were listening? (4) How was your body reacting while listening? (5) How did you feel after you practiced mindfulness?

In this Discussion, you will experience an example of mindfulness and also determine whether mindfulness has scientific support.

To prepare:

•        Listen to a recording from those found at this website listed in the Learning Resources: UCLA Health. (n.d.). Free guided meditations. Retrieved December 8, 2017, from http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
•        Read this article listed in the Learning Resources: Garland, E. L. (2013). Mindfulness research in social work: Conceptual and methodological recommendations. Social Work Research, 37(4), 439–448. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svt038
•        Conduct a library search in the Walden Library for one research study about the effectiveness of mindfulness as an intervention for the client in the case study you have been using. Remember when looking for studies to take into account your client’s age, developmental stage, and presenting problem.

Post:

•        In 1 to 2 sentences, respond to one of the four following questions in terms of what you noticed during the mindfulness exercise you completed:

o   What were you thinking while you were listening?

o   What were you feeling while you were listening?

o   How was your body reacting while listening?

o   How did you feel after you practiced mindfulness?

•        In 2 to 3 sentences, describe your experience practicing this technique and how this experience influences your choice on whether to use it with a client during practice.

o   Provide the reference for the study you found, and be sure to use citations in the body of your post using APA guidelines.

•        In 1 to 2 sentences, briefly summarize the methodological context (i.e., research method, how data was collected, and the instruments used) of the studies and the findings.
•        Evaluate the findings in terms of their validity and applicability for the client

SAMPLE ANSWER

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Interventions

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are a type of psychological intervention that teaches mindfulness skills. Mindfulness is a state of being aware of and attentive to the present moment. MBIs have been found to be effective in treating a variety of mental and physical health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and even eating disorders. Given the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of MBIs, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of different mindfulness interventions in order to determine which ones are most effective for which conditions. In this blog post, we will evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions for different mental and physical health conditions. We will also discuss the limitations of MBI research and offer suggestions for future research.

Defining Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.

There are many different ways to be mindful. You can practice mindfulness meditation, which involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breath. Or you can bring mindfulness into your everyday activities by paying attention to your senses and being fully present in the moment.

Research suggests that mindfulness can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help improve physical health, such as reducing blood pressure and chronic pain. If you’re interested in trying mindfulness, there are many resources available to help you get started.

The Different Types of Mindfulness Interventions

There are several different types of mindfulness interventions, each with its own unique benefits.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is one of the most popular and well-researched mindfulness interventions. MBSR teaches participants how to use mindfulness meditation to cope with stress, anxiety, and pain.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is another effective mindfulness intervention that helps people who suffer from depression and anxiety. MBCT combines cognitive therapy techniques with mindfulness practices to help people change their negative thought patterns.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that uses mindfulness techniques to help people with borderline personality disorder. DBT teaches skills like emotional regulation and distress tolerance that can help people manage their emotions in a healthy way.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based intervention that helps people who struggle with chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. ACT teaches acceptance and commitment as core principles, helping people to move forward in their lives despite difficult circumstances.

How effective are mindfulness interventions?

Mindfulness interventions have been shown to be effective in a number of ways. One study showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was effective in reducing relapse rates in people with depression (Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2002). Another study showed that mindfulness meditation was associated with reduced rumination and negative thinking (Kabat-Zinn, Lipworth, & Burney, 1985).

A meta-analysis of 39 studies found that mindfulness interventions were effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress (Goyal, Singh, Sibinga, Gould, Rowland-Seymour, et al., 2014). And a systematic review of 21 studies found that mindfulness-based interventions were associated with improvements in mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, and stress (Cavanagh et al., 2016).

So there is good evidence to show that mindfulness interventions can help to improve a range of mental health outcomes. If you are considering trying a mindfulness intervention, it is worth speaking to your GP or a qualified therapist to see if it could be right for you.

Who can benefit from mindfulness interventions?

Mindfulness interventions can be beneficial for a wide range of people. Some of the groups that may especially benefit from mindfulness include:

-People who suffer from chronic pain
-People with anxiety disorders
-People with depression
-People who are struggling to cope with stress
-People who have difficulty sleeping

There is a growing body of evidence showing that mindfulness interventions can be helpful for treating various mental and physical health conditions. If you think you might benefit from mindfulness, speak to your doctor or therapist about whether it could be a good fit for you.

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