Is meditation always relaxing? Investigating heart rate, heart rate variability, experienced effort and likeability during training of three types of meditation

Lumma, Anna‐Lena; Kok, Bethany E.; Singer, Tania

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2015.04.017

Cited by 107 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…With regard to levels of perceived stress and relaxation following an isolated practice, the pre-and post-class measures of the once-weekly class reflected a consistent decrease in perceived stress, and an increase of perceived relaxation and enjoyment, despite MM being considered a more demanding task than PMR, as also found by Lumma, Kok, and Singer (2015). The immediate calming effect of a single brief dose of relaxation (Dolbier & Rush, 2012;Krajewski et al, 2011;Rausch et al, 2006) and mindfulness meditation (Creswell, Pacilio, Lindsay, & Brown, 2014;Rausch et al, 2006) techniques have been reported previously.…”

Section: Study Feasibilitysupporting

confidence: 73%

An 8‐Week Relaxation Program Consisting of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress and Attenuate Stress‐Driven Eating

Masih

Dimmock

Epel

et al. 2019

Applied Psych Health & Well

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Background Stress is often associated with the intake of energy‐dense palatable foods. This trial examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8‐week worksite‐based relaxation intervention to address psychological stress and unhealthy food intake. Methods Thirty‐six men and women were exposed to an acute stressor, while physiological and psychological responses were assessed, prior to being offered a test meal. Participants were then randomised to a relaxation intervention (RELAX; face‐to‐face classes and daily home practice of progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation), or a wait‐list control (CON). All measures were repeated after the intervention. Results Intervention compliance was high (80% ± 19% face‐to‐face; 79% ± 18% home practice), and each session acutely reduced perceived stress (p < .001) and increased relaxation (p < .001). After 8 weeks, trait mindfulness was increased (p = .025), along with reduced tension (p = .013) and increased relaxation (p < .05) post‐acute stressor in the intervention group. There was no effect of the intervention on palatable eating, cravings, or energy intake at a laboratory test meal, with small associated effect sizes (d = 0.01–0.3). Conclusions The program studied here is feasible and sessions transiently reduce perceived stress and improve mindfulness; however, the program may not influence the physiological response to an acute stressor or appetite and eating variables.

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Section: Study Feasibilitysupporting

confidence: 73%

An 8‐Week Relaxation Program Consisting of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress and Attenuate Stress‐Driven Eating

Masih

Dimmock

Epel

et al. 2019

Applied Psych Health & Well

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show abstract

“…In line with this, the study demonstrated improvements in cognitive tasks immediately after Vajrayana but not after Theravada meditations, potentially indicating that the Vajrayana practice increased phasic alertness. Similarly, when meditation novices engaged over a 3-month period in either breath awareness, thought awareness or loving-kindness meditation differential effects on ANS functions ensued (Lumma et al 2015).…”

Section: Mindfulness Meditation and Cognitive Skill Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meditation and Cognitive Ageing: the Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Building Cognitive Reserve

Malinowski

Shalamanova

2017

J Cogn Enhanc

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Mindfulness-related meditation practices engage various cognitive skills including the ability to focus and sustain attention, which in itself requires several interacting attentional subfunctions. There is increasing behavioural and neuroscientific evidence that mindfulness meditation improves these functions and associated neural processes. More so than other cognitive training programmes, the effects of meditation appear to generalise to other cognitive tasks, thus demonstrating far transfer effects. As these attentional functions have been linked to age-related cognitive decline, there is growing interest in the question whether meditation can slowdown or even prevent such decline. The cognitive reserve hypothesis builds on evidence that various lifestyle factors can lead to better cognitive performance in older age than would be predicted by the existing degree of brain pathology. We argue that mindfulness meditation, as a combination of brain network and brain state training, may increase cognitive reserve capacity and may mitigate age-related declines in cognitive functions. We consider available direct and indirect evidence from the perspective of cognitive reserve theory. The limited available evidence suggests that MM may enhance cognitive reserve capacity directly through the repeated activation of attentional functions and of the multiple demand system and indirectly through the improvement of physiological mechanisms associated with stress and immune function. The article concludes with outlining research strategies for addressing underlying empirical questions in more substantial ways.

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“…It has been used for ECG measurements in both healthy and clinical populations, presenting a very high-to-perfect correlation with classical hospital or laboratory devices(Brooks et al, 2013;Yoon, Shah, Arnoudse, & De La Garza, 2014). The Bioharness TM both provides comfort for the participant and allow reliable HRV extraction for the researcher(Lumma, Kok, & Singer, 2015). The chest strap's sensor measures electrical activity corresponding to V4 lead measurement (5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line) through conductive Lycra fabric.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Resting high frequency heart rate variability selectively predicts cooperative behavior

Beffara

Bret

Vermeulen

et al. 2016

Physiology & Behavior

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Is meditation always relaxing? Investigating heart rate, heart rate variability, experienced effort and likeability during training of three types of meditation

Cited by 107 publications

References 36 publications

An 8‐Week Relaxation Program Consisting of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress and Attenuate Stress‐Driven Eating

An 8‐Week Relaxation Program Consisting of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress and Attenuate Stress‐Driven Eating

Meditation and Cognitive Ageing: the Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Building Cognitive Reserve

Resting high frequency heart rate variability selectively predicts cooperative behavior

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