Meditation

Researchers are studying the immediate and long-term effects of structured breathing exercises on mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep quality. The study focuses on healthcare professionals experiencing burnout and aims to assess how these breathing practices might support their mental well-being. This behavioral intervention is sponsored by Mayo Clinic and targets adults aged 18 to 85 years. Participants will engage in self-guided structured breathing sessions lasting 15, 30, or 36 minutes, tailored to their personal skill level. The study monitors the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of these breathing exercises over a four-month period. The intervention is delivered via a mobile app, allowing participants to practice breathing exercises on their own schedule. During the study, participants will be assessed on recruitment ease, retention, mobile app engagement, satisfaction with the breathing intervention, and adherence to the program. Researchers will collect data through mobile app usage metrics and self-reported measures to evaluate how well the intervention fits into the participants' routines. The total participation time for each individual is four months, during which their progress and experience with the breathing practice will be closely monitored.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of traditional Chinese medicine combined with intradermal acupuncture on girls with idiopathic precocious puberty, a condition characterized by early onset of puberty without an identifiable cause. This phase 3 randomized controlled trial aims to determine if combining acupuncture point stimulation with herbal treatment can improve symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. The study focuses on girls with mild to moderate precocious puberty and explores whether this combined approach offers benefits beyond traditional herbal medicine alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive Ziyin-Xiehuo traditional Chinese medicine granules twice daily along with intradermal acupuncture point stimulation targeting specific points, applied three times daily with needles changed every two days, for a duration of six months. The other group will receive only the traditional Chinese medicine granules twice daily for the same six-month period. This design allows comparison between combined therapy and herbal medicine alone. During the study, researchers will monitor participants' breast development changes, particularly the reduction or disappearance of mammary nucleus size at three months. They will also assess bone age changes compared to chronological age over six months. Various evaluations such as ultrasound measurements of uterus and ovary size, Tanner staging, and hormone treatment history will be collected. Safety and efficacy will be carefully observed throughout the six-month treatment period.

This research aims to evaluate the effects of Adapted Physical Activity (APA) programs on reducing state anxiety and improving functional capacities in people with severe blood cancers admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Anxiety is a major concern for these patients, and the study compares traditional APA, APA combined with Exergaming, and APA with biofeedback relaxation to see if any approach offers additional benefits. The goal is to lessen anxiety and psychological fatigue while maintaining or improving physical function. Participants are assigned to one of three groups practicing aerobic activity three times a week, with each session lasting 30 to 60 minutes at a light to moderate intensity. The groups include a classical APA group using a cyclo-ergometer, an APA group with Exergaming devices, and an APA group that combines exercise with biofeedback relaxation. Each session includes warm-up, training, and cool-down phases, with the relaxation group using a biofeedback device during cool-down to promote relaxation. During the study, functional capacities are measured at the start and end of the program using submaximal tests like the 2-minute Walk Test and the 5 Times Sit to Stand Test. Anxiety and fatigue levels are assessed with questionnaires such as the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Multi-Fatigue Inventory. Participants also provide feedback on satisfaction and adherence by comparing planned versus completed sessions. The study tracks changes in anxiety, physical performance, and quality of life throughout the intervention and shortly after discharge.

This research aims to evaluate whether aromatherapy can improve mental health and quality of life for women experiencing infertility and awaiting In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. Infertility often causes emotional distress such as anxiety, stress, and depression. This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of true lavender essential oil inhalation, synthetic lavender aroma inhalation, and routine care on mental well-being in women on the IVF waiting list. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: the intervention group will inhale five drops of true lavender essential oil twice daily using a personal nasal inhaler for 15 minutes each time over four weeks; the placebo group will inhale synthetic lavender aroma in the same manner; and the control group will receive routine care without inhalation. The intervention is designed to be accessible and easy to follow with adherence monitored through aromatherapy diaries and weekly schedules. Women in the study will be assessed at the start, at four weeks (end of intervention), and at eight weeks (four weeks after intervention) using validated scales measuring anxiety, depression, stress, quality of life, insomnia, flourishing, religiosity, pain, and general health. Participants will also complete qualitative questionnaires to capture their experiences. The study includes close monitoring to track adherence and evaluate changes in mental health and quality of life over time.

This research aims to evaluate the benefits of a pulmonary rehabilitation program using breathing exercises for people with chronic airway diseases, including COPD and asthma. The study focuses on improving functional capacity measured by the six-minute walking distance test, reducing breathlessness using the Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, and enhancing lung function and arterial blood gases. It highlights the importance of breathing techniques to improve respiratory muscle efficiency and ventilation, which can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receives usual medication treatment for chronic airway diseases without breathing exercises, while the other group receives medication combined with breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing, and use of an incentive spirometer. The study measures lung function outcomes like forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) over a 6-month period. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including lung function tests and walking distance evaluations to track improvements. Researchers monitor symptoms and breathing capacity to understand the impact of the breathing exercises. The study includes adults aged 18 and older who have clinically stable COPD or asthma and have not previously participated in exercise training. The total study duration and follow-up details correspond to the 6-month outcome measurement period.

This research aims to evaluate a flexible, online mindfulness program called Wakeful designed for pediatric residents who often experience high levels of stress during medical training. The study addresses the limitations of traditional mindfulness programs that are usually in-person or have fixed schedules, which may not suit the busy and varied schedules of medical trainees. The goal is to understand if allowing participants to choose the length of their mindfulness program improves engagement, satisfaction, and completion rates. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group selects the duration of their Wakeful mindfulness program (3, 5, or 7 weeks), while the other group is assigned a program length without choice. Both groups complete one module per week, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes, including didactic content, guided meditation, and optional reflection. The program is web-based and can be accessed remotely via computer, tablet, or smartphone. Optional independent mindfulness practice is encouraged throughout the study. During the study, participants complete questionnaires before and after the intervention, and some may take part in optional debrief interviews. Researchers will collect usage data from the platform to measure engagement, program completion, frequency of meditation practice, user satisfaction, and dropout rates. Secondary outcomes include exploring changes in mindfulness and compassion, though the study is not designed to assess clinical mental health improvements. Participation lasts according to the chosen or assigned program length, and all data is handled confidentially.

This research aims to evaluate ways to reduce preoperative anxiety in adult orthopedic patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. High anxiety before surgery can lead to poor sleep, increased pain after surgery, and more use of painkillers. Since there are no current standard recommendations to prevent this anxiety, the study compares two relaxation methods to help improve patient well-being before their operation. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a 20-minute virtual reality hypnosis session using the HypnoVR headset, a 20-minute relaxation session with PSiO glasses that provide light therapy and music, or a 20-minute waiting period without any relaxation tool. Both devices aim to induce relaxation through visual and auditory experiences tailored to the patient. During the study, researchers will monitor changes in anxiety using the APAIS scale, and track physiological signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. They will also record the amount of anesthesia used, time spent in the recovery room, and pain levels. These assessments occur within one hour after the relaxation or waiting session to evaluate the effects on preoperative anxiety and related outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a contemplative practice called Feeding Your Demons (FYD), based on a secular adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism, in improving psychological well-being, body image, body acceptance, compassion, and self-deconstruction in adult women aged 30 to 60. This randomized controlled trial compares FYD with an active control group practicing mindfulness meditation, aiming to understand how these practices impact mental and emotional health. The study includes 122 women fluent in Spanish, with prior meditation experience. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the FYD or mindfulness meditation group. Both interventions are delivered online over eight weeks, involving weekly home practice sessions guided by audio. Each group receives three expert-led sessions: an initial individual meeting, a group session at week 4, and a final group session at week 8. The FYD practice involves a structured process of identifying internal challenges and transforming them through acceptance and compassion, while the mindfulness group focuses on breath awareness and non-judgmental observation. Participants will complete assessments before and after the intervention, and again at a six-month follow-up. These include psychological measures such as the Delusion of Me Index, Body Appreciation Scale, and various questionnaires on mindfulness, self-compassion, and body acceptance. A subgroup will also take part in qualitative interviews. Researchers will analyze changes over time and relationships between variables to understand the effects of both practices on well-being, compassion, and self-perception.

Researchers are investigating how relaxation techniques involving virtual reality and binaural beats affect stress in healthy adults. This study is a non-clinical part of the larger DESTRESS research program, focusing on adults without medical conditions or treatments. It aims to understand these relaxation methods' effects on physiological and psychological stress markers outside of a clinical setting. Participants are randomly assigned to one of five groups: experiencing virtual reality natural environments with or without binaural beats, listening to natural soundscapes with or without binaural beats, or completing control activities without relaxation interventions. Each participant takes part in a single session lasting about 30 minutes, during which their physiological responses and self-reported stress levels are recorded. During the session, researchers measure heart rate variability and electrodermal activity continuously using non-invasive sensors. Participants also complete questionnaires and cognitive tests before and after the session to assess stress, anxiety, and cognitive flexibility. The study focuses on changes occurring within this single 30-minute period to evaluate the feasibility and potential stress-reducing effects of these relaxation approaches.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of the 4-7-8 breathing technique on shoulder pain and lung function after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a common surgery for gallbladder removal. This technique is being studied because many patients experience shoulder pain and reduced lung function after surgery, which can affect breathing and recovery. The study will randomly assign 96 patients to either the breathing exercise group or a control group receiving routine care, to compare outcomes. The study group will learn the 4-7-8 breathing technique, which involves controlled breathing cycles, starting about four hours after surgery. They will practice one set of four breaths every two hours, with initial training lasting about 15 minutes. The control group will receive usual care without specific breathing exercise training, though use of a breathing aid is recommended but not monitored. Participants will be monitored for shoulder pain and lung function through tests conducted within the first 24 hours and again at discharge. The study will assess lung volumes and airflow measures to understand breathing recovery. Data will be analyzed statistically. The total duration of participation varies with hospital stay but includes monitoring through the early postoperative period for safety and effectiveness.