Group Mindfulness Training May Reduce Psychological Stress

Researchers claim that in-person mindfulness training groups can enhance people's experiences with mental health.

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 75% of American adults admitted to being stressed in the past month, and the National Institutes of Mental Health reports that around one in 75 adults undergo panic disorder during their life. With such a high percentage, it is important to stay vigilant and mentally healthy.

You may practice mindfulness to be present and involved in the present without passing judgment on anything. Yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation are all examples of mindfulness activities that help you focus on the here and now. It assists people in being more conscious of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations to better regulate them without becoming overwhelmed.

Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) — or group mindfulness — have become popular resources for mental health in the past ten years. The treatments are described as aiming to reduce "psychological distress," a phrase that encompasses negative mental or emotional states like despair or anxiety.

A rising number of research has been conducted on the efficacy of MBPs, with results frequently needing more consistency. The group from the University of Cambridge set out to perform a thorough, extensive investigation examining information from MBP randomized clinical trials done in person and provided in public locations.

According to lead researcher Julieta Galante, it was still unclear in the earlier research if these group mindfulness programs might advance mental health in various community settings.

This study is the highest quality confirmation so far that the in-person mindfulness courses typically offered in the community do actually work for the average person.

- Galante

How was the study conducted?

The scientists obtained and examined anonymized data from 2,371 individuals who participated in 13 trials that evaluated the efficacy of MBPs, which frequently include components of contemporary psychology, meditation, and body awareness. Throughout several one to two-hour sessions, groups of participants were guided by mindfulness instructors.

About 50% of participants in the trials under consideration received eight-week MBP placements at random, and the results of their self-report questionnaires were compared to those of those who were not assigned to MBPs. The trials had an average age of 34-year-old volunteers representing eight nations.

Galante and the team claim that MBPs lessen adult psychological distress by a "small to moderate" amount. About 13% of participants benefit from MBP sessions compared to others who don't attend them.

The findings, published in Nature Mental Health, showed that this benefit is unaffected by factors like age, gender, educational level, or existing psychological suffering.

In a group context, with a teacher present, individuals who take a mindfulness course would, on average, benefit from it in terms of lowering their psychological discomfort, which will enhance their mental health, according to Galante.

However, research indicates that mindfulness only works for some individuals, suggesting that there are more answers for everyone.

She adds: "We're also not saying you should absolutely choose a mindfulness class instead of something else you might benefit from, for example a football club – we have no evidence that mindfulness is better than other feel-good practices but if you're not doing anything, these types of mindfulness courses are certainly among the options that can be helpful."

Galante recommends taking in-person classes if they are available as well. Based on this study, she recommends individuals attempt an in-person, four-or-eight-week mindfulness course with a teacher if interested.

She concludes: "And for organizations wondering about offering these types of mindfulness courses to members of their community – this research suggests it may be a good investment if their communities express an interest."