2025
Landmark study to be published on January 21, 2025.
2024
Reichert M, De La Cruz B, Mitchell S, Gardiner P. Diabetes medical group visits and type 2 diabetes outcomes: A mediation analysis of diabetes distress. JMIR Preprints. 2024. doi: 10.2196/preprints.57526. [PMID: Not available]
This study explored how group medical visits for diabetes care can help low-income minority women better manage their type 2 diabetes. The findings show that these group visits improve blood sugar levels by easing the emotional burden of diabetes, especially for women with limited social support or symptoms of depression.
Datko M, Lutz J, Gawande R, Comeau A, Gan J, To MN, Desbordes G, Griswold T, King J, Loucks E, Napadow V, Schuman-Olivier Z. Neural regulation of pain anticipation is associated with mindful behavior change in patients with anxiety or depression: A pilot study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2024;111941. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2024.111941. PMID: 39752812.
This pilot study explores how mindful behavior change impacts the brain's regulation of pain anticipation in patients with anxiety or depression. The findings suggest that mindfulness practices may help improve emotional and physical well-being by influencing how the brain processes the expectation of pain.
Jackson M, Gardiner P, Leeman J, Roth I. Clinician experiences with integrative group medical visits for chronic pain. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2024;13:27536130241304772. doi: 10.1177/27536130241304772. PMID: 39619254.
This study explores clinicians’ experiences with integrative group medical visits for managing chronic pain. Findings highlight the potential benefits and challenges of group-based approaches to addressing pain, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and holistic care strategies.
Joss D, Datko M, Washington CI, Tresvalles MA, Mete M, Lazar SW, Schuman-Olivier Z, Hoge EA. Neural correlates of reduction in self-judgment after mindful self-compassion training: A pilot study with resting state fMRI. J Mood Anxiety Disord. 2025;9:100096. doi: 10.1016/j.xjmad.2024.100096. [PMID: Not available]
This pilot study examined how an eight-week mindful self-compassion (MSC) program helps reduce self-judgment in people with anxiety or depression. Researchers found that the program not only increased self-compassion but also altered brain connectivity, enhancing emotion regulation and reducing the influence of fear-related brain regions, particularly for participants with histories of childhood trauma.
Barnhill J, Baez J, Gardiner P, Greco C, Faurot K, Gaylord S, Harris E, Lawrence S, Miller V, Roth I, Sariahmed K, Thomas H, Weinberg J, Morone N. Findings from the incorporation of the Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions Screener in the OPTIMUM trial. J Pain. 2024 Apr;12. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.127. [PMID: Not available]
This abstract highlights a study that used a Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions Screener (COPCS) in a mindfulness trial for chronic low back pain (cLBP). Among participants, 83.6% reported at least one chronic pain condition, and 35% had cLBP along with other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. The findings suggest a high prevalence of widespread pain and related symptoms in the sample, with ongoing analysis expected to refine these insights.
Schuman-Olivier Z, Gawande R, Creedon TB, Comeau A, Griswold T, Smith LB, To MN, Wilson CL, Loucks EB, Le Cook B. Change starts with the body: Interoceptive appreciation mediates the effect of mindfulness training on behavior change—an effect moderated by depression severity. Psychiatry Res. 2024;342:116230. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116230. PMID: 39489994.
This study explored how mindfulness training helps people make health behavior changes by improving their ability to trust and listen to their body’s internal signals (a concept called interoceptive appreciation). Researchers found that mindfulness training directly supported behavior change, with body listening playing a key role—especially in people with depression, where rebuilding trust in the body’s signals was critical for initiating change.
Comeau A, Smith LJ, Smith L, Soumerai Rea H, Ward MC, Creedon TB, Sweezy M, Rosenberg LG, Schuman-Olivier Z. Online group-based Internal Family Systems treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Feasibility and acceptability of the program for alleviating and resolving trauma and stress. Psychol Trauma. 2024. doi: 10.1037/tra0001688. PMID: 38934934.
This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of PARTS, an online Internal Family Systems (IFS) program designed for individuals with PTSD. Participants experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, and improvements in self-compassion and emotion regulation, with most reporting the program was helpful and recommending it to others.
Lee CS, Chu SH, Dunne J, Spintzyk E, Locatelli G, Babicheva V, Lam L, Julio K, Chen S, Jurgens CY. Body listening in the link between symptoms and self-care management in cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional correlational descriptive study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2024;156:104809. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104809. PMID: 38788262.
This study examined how "body listening" (being attentive to internal bodily signals) influences self-care behaviors in adults with cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that people who actively listen to their body were better at managing symptoms like breathlessness and anxiety, while those who ignored discomfort struggled with self-care, highlighting the importance of awareness in improving health outcomes.
Incollingo Rodriguez AC, Nephew BC, Polcari JJ, Melican V, King JA, Gardiner P. Race-based differences in the response to a mindfulness-based integrative medical group visit intervention for chronic pain. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2024;13:27536130241254793. doi: 10.1177/27536130241254793. PMID: 38765807.
This study explored how racial identity influenced the outcomes of mindfulness-based integrative medical group visits (IMGV) for chronic pain. Results showed that while African American/Black participants initially experienced reduced pain severity, the benefits plateaued over time, unlike White participants, whose pain severity continued to improve. The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to address health disparities in chronic pain management.
To MN, Schuman-Olivier Z. Integrating choice points into mindfulness training for the dissociative subtype of PTSD: A case report. Psychiatry Res Case Rep. 2024 Jun;3(1):100218. doi: 10.1016/j.psycr.2024.100218. PMID: 38901234.
This case study explores how mindfulness training can be adapted to help individuals with dissociative PTSD (PTSD-D). By integrating choice points into mindfulness sessions, the program helped a participant with dissociative symptoms improve emotional regulation and self-compassion while maintaining a sense of safety throughout the training.
Rosansky JA, Howard L, Goodman H, Okst K, Fatkin T, Fredericksen AK, Sokol R, Gardiner P, Parry G, Cook BL, Weiss RD, Schuman-Olivier Z. Effects of live-online, group mindfulness training on opioid use and anxiety during buprenorphine treatment: A comparative effectiveness RCT. Contemp Clin Trials. 2024 Feb;137:107417. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107417. PMID: 37698123.
This randomized trial evaluates the Mindful Recovery Opioid Care Continuum (M-ROCC), a 24-week live-online mindfulness program, as an adjunct to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. Researchers aim to determine whether M-ROCC helps reduce opioid use, anxiety, and pain interference compared to a standard recovery support group, providing a promising new approach for individuals managing opioid addiction.
2023
Loucks EB, Kronish IM, Saadeh FB, Scarpaci MM, Proulx JA, Gutman R, Britton WB, Schuman-Olivier Z. Adapted mindfulness training for interoception and adherence to the DASH diet: A phase 2 randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(11):e2339243. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39243. PMID: 37487654.
This study tested the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction (MB-BP) program, which integrates mindfulness training with lifestyle strategies like the DASH diet to improve blood pressure and overall health. Participants who completed the program showed significant improvements in interoceptive awareness and adherence to the DASH diet, demonstrating that mindfulness can help people make healthier eating choices and support better blood pressure management.
Gawande R, Smith L, Comeau A, Creedon TB, Wilson CL, Griswold T, Cook BL, Loucks EB, Schuman-Olivier Z. Impact of warm mindfulness on emotion regulation: A randomized controlled effectiveness trial. Health Psychol. 2023 Oct;42(10):699-711. doi: 10.1037/hea0001303. PMID: 37412345.
This study evaluated the effects of Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC), an 8-week warm mindfulness program, on emotion regulation and health behavior change in patients with anxiety, depression, or stress-related disorders. Participants reported significant improvements in emotion regulation and were more likely to follow through on health-related action plans compared to those in a low-dose mindfulness group, highlighting MTPC’s potential for supporting chronic illness management.
Mitchell SE, Bragg A, De La Cruz BA, Winter MR, Reichert MJ, Laird LD, Moldovan IA, Parker KN, Martin-Howard J, Gardiner P. Effectiveness of an immersive telemedicine platform for delivering diabetes medical group visits for African American, Black and Hispanic, or Latina women with uncontrolled diabetes: The Women in Control 2.0 noninferiority randomized clinical trial. J Med Internet Res. 2023 May 10;25:e43669. doi: 10.2196/43669. PMID: 37163341.
This study compared immersive telemedicine to in-person group visits for diabetes care among underserved African American, Black, and Hispanic women with uncontrolled diabetes. Both approaches led to similar improvements in blood sugar levels (HbA1c), showing that telemedicine is a viable and culturally adaptive option for diabetes management in underserved communities.
Barnhill JL, Roth IJ, Miller VE, Baratta JM, Chilcoat A, Kavalakatt BM, Tiedt MK, Thompson KL, Gardiner P. Pilot observational study of patient-reported outcome measures for long COVID patients in virtual integrative medical group visits. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2023;12:27536130231174236. doi: 10.1177/27536130231174236. PMID: 37205321.
This pilot study explored the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate virtual integrative medical group visits (IMGVs) for long COVID patients. Findings showed improvements in stress and anxiety, with certain PROMs, such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and MYMOP®, proving effective in tracking symptom changes.
Rosansky JA, Albanese M, Phillips J, Schuman-Olivier Z. Unfilled prescriptions: Surveying patients' experiences with buprenorphine treatment in Massachusetts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Addict. 2023 Nov;32(6):615-618. doi: 10.1111/ajad.13460. PMID: 37543849.
This study examined challenges in accessing buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in Massachusetts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results revealed increased difficulties in filling prescriptions during the pandemic, which were linked to higher rates of opioid use and could help explain rising overdose deaths during this period.
Loucks EB, Schuman-Olivier Z, Saadeh FB, Scarpaci MM, Nardi WR, Proulx JA, Gutman R, King J, Britton WB, Kronish IM. Effect of adapted mindfulness training in participants with elevated office blood pressure: The MB-BP Study: A randomized clinical trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2023 Jun 6;12(11):e028712. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.122.028712. PMID: 37218591.
This randomized trial evaluated the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction (MB-BP) program for participants with elevated blood pressure. Results showed that MB-BP significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared to usual care, suggesting that mindfulness training may be an effective lifestyle intervention for hypertension management.
Kishimoto S, Watanabe N, Yamamoto Y, Imai T, Aida R, Germer C, Tamagawa-Mineoka R, Shimizu R, Hickman S, Nakayama Y, Etoh T, Sahker E, Carnie MB, Furukawa TA. Efficacy of integrated online mindfulness and self-compassion training for adults with atopic dermatitis: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2023 Jun 1;159(6):628-636. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.0975. PMID: 37163257.
This randomized clinical trial evaluated online mindfulness and self-compassion training for adults with atopic dermatitis (AD). The intervention significantly improved quality of life, reduced eczema severity, and enhanced psychological well-being, highlighting it as a promising complement to standard dermatological care.
Estave PM, Margol C, Beeghly S, Anderson R, Shakir M, Coffield A, Byrnes J, O'Connell N, Seng E, Gardiner P, Wells RE. Mechanisms of mindfulness in patients with migraine: Results of a qualitative study. Headache. 2023 Mar;63(3):390-409. doi: 10.1111/head.14481. PMID: 36853655.
This qualitative study explored how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) impacts patients with migraines. Participants reported reduced pain perception, better awareness of migraine triggers, and improved emotional regulation, suggesting mindfulness can help mitigate the burden of migraine and enhance overall well-being.
Barceló-Soler A, Morillo-Sarto H, Fernández-Martínez S, Monreal-Bartolomé A, Chambel MJ, Gardiner P, López-Del-Hoyo Y, García-Campayo J, Pérez-Aranda A. A systematic review of the adherence to home-practice meditation exercises in patients with chronic pain. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 2;20(5):4438. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054438. PMID: 36901448.
This systematic review analyzed the frequency, duration, and effects of home meditation practice in patients with chronic pain undergoing mindfulness-, compassion-, and acceptance-based therapies. Results showed moderate adherence levels, with significant health benefits linked to regular practice, but adaptations may be needed to improve engagement and effectiveness.
Shillington KJ, Morrow D, Meadows K, Labadie CT, Tran B, Raza Z, Qi C, Vranckx DJ, Bhalla M, Bluth K, Cousineau TM, Cunningham DE, Estrada M, Massey J, Ncube N, Irwin JD. Leveraging kindness in Canadian post-secondary education: A conceptual paper. Coll Teach. 2023;71(4):231-238. doi: 10.1080/87567555.2023.2181307. [PMID: Not available]
This conceptual paper highlights the importance of fostering kindness in post-secondary education to create positive academic climates that support student well-being. Insights from a collaborative event suggested actionable strategies for integrating kindness into institutional culture and encouraging student-led initiatives.
Schuman-Olivier Z, Fatkin T, Creedon TB, Samawi F, Moore SK, Okst K, Fredericksen AK, Oxnard AS, Roll D, Smith L, Cook BL, Weiss RD. Effects of a trauma-informed mindful recovery program on comorbid pain, anxiety, and substance use during primary care buprenorphine treatment: A proof-of-concept study. Am J Addict. 2023 May;32(3):244-253. doi: 10.1111/ajad.13364. PMID: 36470641.
This proof-of-concept study examined the impact of the 24-week Mindful Recovery Opioid Use Care Continuum (M-ROCC) program on patients with opioid use disorder undergoing buprenorphine treatment. The program significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and substance use, while increasing mindfulness, self-compassion, and body awareness. Participants reported using mindfulness practices to manage stress and pain, suggesting this trauma-informed approach could enhance care for individuals with opioid addiction.
2022
Cauley AW, Green AR, Gardiner PM. Lessons learned from clinicians in a Federally Qualified Health Center: Steps toward eliminating burnout. J Integr Complement Med. 2023 Mar;29(3):196-203. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0401. PMID: 36508262.
This study explored clinician perspectives on burnout at a Federally Qualified Health Center after a year-long wellness initiative. The findings highlighted systemic and team-level factors contributing to burnout, emphasizing the need for multifaceted strategies to improve clinician well-being in underserved primary care settings.
Schuman-Olivier Z. Multidisciplinary Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2). In: Medvedev ON, Krägeloh CU, Siegert RJ, Singh NN, editors. Handbook of Assessment in Mindfulness Research. Cham: Springer; 2022. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-77644-2_40-1. [PMID: Not available]
This chapter explores the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) and its updated version, MAIA-2, which assess interoceptive capacities often targeted by mindfulness-based interventions. It highlights the tool's psychometric properties and its value in evaluating the connection between interoception, mindfulness, and self-regulation.
Datko M, Lutz J, Gawande R, Comeau A, To MN, Desel T, Gan J, Desbordes G, Napadow V, Schuman-Olivier Z. Increased insula response to interoceptive attention following mindfulness training is associated with increased body trusting among patients with depression. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2022 Dec;327:111559. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111559. PMID: 36308976.
This study examined the effects of an 8-week mindfulness training program on brain activity and body awareness in patients with anxiety or depression. Results showed increased activity in the insula, a brain region linked to interoception, which was associated with enhanced trust in bodily sensations, particularly in patients with more severe depression.
Meints SM, Garcia RG, Schuman-Olivier Z, Datko M, Desbordes G, Cornelius M, Edwards RR, Napadow V. The effects of combined respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation and mindfulness meditation for chronic low back pain: A pilot study. Pain Med. 2022 Aug 31;23(9):1570-1581. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnac025. PMID: 35148407.
This pilot study evaluated the combination of mindfulness meditation (MM) and respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation (RAVANS) for chronic low back pain. Findings showed that the intervention was feasible and well-tolerated, with potential benefits for pain reduction, especially in patients with greater negative affect.
Estey EE, Roff C, Kozlowski MB, Rovig S, Guyker WM, Cook-Cottone CP. Efficacy of Eat Breathe Thrive: A randomized controlled trial of a yoga-based program. Body Image. 2022 Sep;42:427-439. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.07.009. PMID: 37698210.
This study evaluated the Eat Breathe Thrive (EBT) program, a 7-week yoga-based intervention aimed at preventing eating disorders and promoting positive body image. Participants reported significant reductions in eating disorder symptoms, depression, and emotional dysregulation, as well as improvements in mindfulness, self-care, and overall well-being, with many benefits lasting for six months after the program.
Rohela P, Olendzki B, McGonigal LJ, Villa A, Gardiner P. A teaching kitchen medical group visit with an eHealth platform for hypertension and cardiac risk factors: A qualitative feasibility study. J Altern Complement Med. 2021 Nov;27(11):974-983. doi: 10.1089/acm.2021.0148. PMID: 34357790.
This study evaluated the feasibility of an eHealth toolkit called OWL-H, which combines online hypertension management with in-person teaching kitchen medical group visits. Participants found the intervention acceptable but highlighted the need for more personalized features, community support, and solutions for technical challenges like poor internet connectivity.
Janzow GE, Harding C, Flores M, Borodovsky J, Steinkamp J, Marsch LA, Schuman-Olivier Z. Assessing the feasibility, usability and acceptability of the MySafeRx platform among individuals in outpatient buprenorphine treatment: Lessons learned from a pilot randomized controlled trial. Drug Alcohol Depend Rep. 2022 Mar 17;3:100045. doi: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100045. PMID: 36845988.
This pilot study evaluated the MySafeRx platform, which combines mobile coaching and electronic medication dispensing to support buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. Results showed high usability and acceptability, but recruitment challenges and limited engagement impacted feasibility, especially as relaxed monitoring requirements became more common in community prescribing.
Giachos D, Paschali M, Datko MC, Fatkin T, Lazaridou A, Kaptchuk TJ, Napadow V, Edwards RR, Schuman-Olivier Z. Characterizing nature videos for an attention placebo control for MBSR: The development of Nature-Based Stress Reduction (NBSR). Mindfulness. 2022;13:1577-1589. doi: 10.1007/s12671-022-01948-4.
This study introduced Nature-Based Stress Reduction (NBSR), a structured program using nature videos as an attention placebo control for mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). The results showed that nature videos with varied valence levels closely mimicked the diverse emotional experiences of mindfulness meditation, offering a promising comparator for future randomized trials.
Moore SK, Okst K, Smith L, Fatkin T, Creedon T, Fredericksen AK, Gawande R, Schuman-Olivier Z. "Today I can look in the mirror and like myself": Effects of a trauma-informed mindful recovery program on self-compassion. Front Psychol. 2022 Jun 2;13:780383. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.780383. PMID: 35719537.
This study explored how the trauma-informed Mindful Recovery OUD Care Continuum (M-ROCC) enhanced self-compassion among individuals with opioid use disorder. Results showed increased compassionate self-responding and decreased self-criticism, particularly in participants with higher childhood adversity, suggesting mindfulness training's potential to support recovery.
Luberto CM, Wang A, Li R, Pagliaro J, Park ER, Bhatt A. Videoconference-delivered mind-body resiliency training in adults with congenital heart disease: A pilot feasibility trial. Int J Cardiol Congenit Heart Dis. 2022 Mar;7:100324. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcchd.2022.100324. PMID: 39712260.
This pilot study examined the feasibility of videoconference-delivered Mind-Body Resiliency Training (SMART-3RP) for adults with congenital heart disease. Results showed promising improvements in health anxiety, mindfulness, and resiliency, highlighting the intervention's potential to enhance emotional health in this population.
2021
Meints S, Edwards R, Datko M, Garcia R, Desbordes G, Schuman-Olivier Z, Cornelius M, Napadow V. Negative affect moderates the effect of respiratory gated vagal nerve stimulation on pain severity in patients with chronic low back pain. J Pain. 2021 May;22(5):587. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.041. PMID: 33992786.
This study examined how respiratory-gated vagal nerve stimulation (RAVANS) combined with mindfulness meditation impacts chronic low back pain. Results showed that negative affect was a key factor in pain improvement with RAVANS, while mindfulness appeared to independently provide significant analgesic effects.
Lim CT, Fulwiler CE, Carson NJ, Huang H, Robinson LA, Schuman-Olivier Z, O'Brien CJ, Wang PS, Tepper MC. Promoting population behavioral health in a safety-net health system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatr Serv. 2021 Oct 1;72(10):1225-1228. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000546. PMID: 33882680.
This article describes how a safety-net health system applied population behavioral health principles during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand care access. Strategies like stepped care models, targeted interventions, and measurement-based care were shown to improve behavioral health capacity and equity.
Donovan E, Bluth K, Scott H, Mohammed M, Cousineau TM. Feasibility and acceptability of implementing the Making Friends with Yourself intervention on a college campus. J Am Coll Health. 2023 Jan;71(1):266-273. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1891077. PMID: 33759721.
This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the "Making Friends with Yourself" mindfulness and self-compassion program for college students. Results showed high retention rates and significant increases in mindfulness and self-compassion, though academic stress increased, suggesting further research is needed in this population.
Trombka M, Demarzo M, Campos D, Antonio SB, Cicuto K, Walcher AL, García-Campayo J, Schuman-Olivier Z, Rocha NS. Mindfulness training improves quality of life and reduces depression and anxiety symptoms among police officers: Results from the POLICE study—a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 26;12:624876. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624876. PMID: 33716824.
The POLICE study demonstrated that mindfulness-based health promotion significantly improved quality of life and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in police officers. Benefits were maintained at six months, with self-compassion, mindfulness traits, and spirituality identified as key mechanisms of change.
Chumachenko SY, Cali RJ, Rosal MC, Allison JJ, Person SJ, Ziedonis D, Nephew BC, Moore CM, Zhang N, King JA, Fulwiler C. Keeping weight off: Mindfulness-based stress reduction alters amygdala functional connectivity during weight loss maintenance in a randomized control trial. PLoS One. 2021 Jan 11;16(1):e0244847. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244847. PMID: 33428638.
This study found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a change linked to reduced depression symptoms but not directly to weight maintenance. While the MBSR group maintained their weight, the control group experienced a BMI increase, suggesting mindfulness may support weight stability through neural and emotional regulation mechanisms.
Fatkin T, Moore SK, Okst K, Creedon TB, Samawi F, Fredericksen AK, Roll D, Oxnard A, Cook BL, Schuman-Olivier Z. Feasibility and acceptability of mindful recovery opioid use care continuum (M-ROCC): A concurrent mixed methods study. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2021 Nov;130:108415. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108415. PMID: 34118705.
This pilot study tested the Mindful Recovery Opioid Use Care Continuum (M-ROCC), a 24-week mindfulness program designed to complement buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. Participants with significant trauma histories found the program highly acceptable, with strong retention rates and increased mindfulness skills. Results suggest that integrating mindfulness into primary care opioid treatment may enhance patient retention and address co-occurring mental health challenges.
2020
Dunne J, Flores M, Gawande R, Schuman-Olivier Z. Losing trust in body sensations: Interoceptive awareness and depression symptom severity among primary care patients. J Affect Disord. 2021 Mar 1;282:1210-1219. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.092. PMID: 33601698.
This study found that individuals with moderate or severe depression exhibit lower trust in their body sensations, highlighting a key component of interoceptive dysregulation in depressive disorders. The findings suggest that targeting body trust could help in understanding and managing depression, especially in patients with co-occurring anxiety.
Luberto CM, Goodman JH, Halvorson B, Wang A, Haramati A. Stress and coping among health professions students during COVID-19: A perspective on the benefits of mindfulness. Glob Adv Health Med. 2020 Dec 13;9:2164956120977827. doi: 10.1177/2164956120977827. PMID: 33403158.
This study explored how mindfulness training helped health professions students manage stress and novel challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students reported that mindfulness skills like focus, non-reactivity, and cognitive de-centering improved their ability to cope with physical, mental, and academic stressors.
Luberto CM, Huberty J, Puzia M, Vranceanu AM. Usage patterns of the Calm meditation app among people with cardiovascular disease. Mindfulness (N Y). 2021 Apr;12(4):983-993. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01567-4. [PMID: Not available]
This study analyzed how individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) use the Calm meditation app, finding that frequent use was associated with improvements in sleep, stress, and overall health, particularly for those with co-occurring anxiety or depression. The findings suggest the potential of meditation apps like Calm to support health promotion, though further trials are needed to confirm their efficacy for CVD patients.
Thiermann UB, Sheate WR, Vercammen A. Practice Matters: Pro-environmental Motivations and Diet-Related Impact Vary With Meditation Experience. Front Psychol. 2020 Dec 16;11:584353. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.584353. PMID: 33391103.
This study found that experienced meditators are more likely to make environmentally friendly choices, such as eating less meat, which lowers their environmental impact. They feel more connected to nature and are motivated by care for the planet. Meditation practices not only enhance personal well-being but also encourage habits that benefit the environment, making them a valuable tool for individuals and programs promoting sustainability and health.
Hoge EA, Acabchuk RL, Kimmel H, Moitra E, Britton WB, Dumais T, Ferrer RA, Lazar SW, Vago D, Lipsky J, Schuman-Olivier Z, Cheaito A, Sager L, Peters S, Rahrig H, Acero P, Scharf J, Loucks EB, Fulwiler C. Emotion-related constructs engaged by mindfulness-based interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness (N Y). 2021 May;12(5):1041-1062. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01561-w. PMID: 34149957.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated how mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), influence emotional well-being and related constructs. The analysis included 72 studies and found significant improvements in depression, anxiety, stress, and overall mental health compared to inactive controls, with MBCT showing slightly stronger effects than MBSR. However, MBIs did not outperform active controls, such as other therapeutic interventions. The study provides valuable insights for clinicians and researchers, highlighting the potential of MBIs to improve emotional health while recommending careful selection of measurement tools for future studies.
Schuman-Olivier Z, Trombka M, Lovas DA, Brewer JA, Vago DR, Gawande R, Dunne JP, Lazar SW, Loucks EB, Fulwiler C. Mindfulness and Behavior Change. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2020 Nov-Dec;28(6):371-394. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000277. PMID: 33156156.
This review explores how mindfulness influences health behavior changes essential for managing chronic medical and psychiatric conditions. It presents an integrated model combining mindfulness with neuroscience findings on motivation and learning. Mindfulness, by fostering acceptance and nonjudgment, enhances self-regulation, aiding behavior changes like healthier eating or reduced substance use. The review synthesizes clinical research, highlighting mindfulness's potential in psychiatric care, and outlines mechanisms to study and apply in future practice to maximize its benefits.
Berry MP, Lutz J, Schuman-Olivier Z, Germer C, Pollak S, Edwards RR, Gardiner P, Desbordes G, Napadow V. Brief Self-Compassion Training Alters Neural Responses to Evoked Pain for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study. Pain Med. 2020 Oct 1;21(10):2172-2185. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa178. PMID: 32783054; PMCID: PMC7593799.
Lutz J, Berry MP, Napadow V, Germer C, Pollak S, Gardiner P, Edwards RR, Desbordes G, Schuman-Olivier Z. Neural activations during self-related processing in patients with chronic pain and effects of a brief self-compassion training – A pilot study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2020 Oct 30;304:111155. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111155. Epub 2020 Jul 30. PMID: 32799058.
Thiermann, U.B., Sheate, W.R. The Way Forward in Mindfulness and Sustainability: a Critical Review and Research Agenda. J Cogn Enhanc (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-020-00180-6
Ute B. Thiermann, William R. Sheate, Motivating individuals for social transition: The 2-pathway model and experiential strategies for pro-environmental behaviour, Ecological Economics, Volume 174, 2020, 106668, ISSN 0921-8009, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106668.
Wells RE, Seng EK, Edwards RR, Victorson DE, Pierce CR, Rosenberg L, Napadow V, Schuman-Olivier Z. Mindfulness in migraine: A narrative review. Expert Rev Neurother. 2020 Mar;20(3):207-225. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1715212. Epub 2020 Feb 12. PMID: 31933391; PMCID: PMC7213534.
Sokol R, Albanese M, Albanese C, Coste G, Grossman E, Morrill D, Roll D, Sobieszczyk A, Schuman-Olivier Z. Implementing group visits for opioid use disorder: A case series. Subst Abus. 2020;41(2):174-180. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1635958. Epub 2019 Aug 16. PMID: 31418638; PMCID: PMC7440777.
2019
Gawande R, Pine E, Griswold T, Creedon T, Vallejo Z, Rosenbaum E, Lozada A, Schuman-Olivier Z. Insurance-Reimbursable Mindfulness for Safety-Net Primary Care Patients: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Mindfulness (N Y). 2019 Sep;10(9):1744-1759. doi: 10.1007/s12671-019-01116-8. Epub 2019 Mar 18. PMID: 32042349; PMCID: PMC7009938.
2018
Gawande R, To MN, Pine E, Griswold T, Creedon TB, Brunel A, Lozada A, Loucks EB, Schuman-Olivier Z. Mindfulness Training Enhances Self-Regulation and Facilitates Health Behavior Change for Primary Care Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Feb;34(2):293-302. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4739-5. Epub 2018 Dec 3. PMID: 30511291; PMCID: PMC6374253.
