title: A Pilot Study Using Mindfulness-Guided-Relaxation & Biofeedback To Alleviate Stress In A Group.
abstract: The following study investigated the efficacy of a mindfulness intervention to reduce staff stress at a university in Melbourne that was undergoing a restructure and relocation. Using mindfulness guided-relaxation that incorporated positive emotions, controlled breathing and biofeedback monitors, 13 university staff recorded their sympathetic and parasympathetic activity over a four week period. They also supplied qualitative reflections of their experience. After one session of guided-relaxation and biofeedback there were significant increases in parasympathetic activity. For those people that continued practicing guided-relaxation by listening to a digital recording of the session, these gains continued to increase.
authors.affiliation: Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theiler
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology