Science & Research in Vitality & Mindfulness

In this section can be found access to scientific research in vitality and mindfulness stemming from two sources:  

BeVital and other, external research sources.   

Scientific Research From External Studies

How do you keep your body and your brain in top shape?   Interview with Prof. Anne Speckens psychiatrist, professor of anxiety and mood disorders at the Radboud University Nijmegen  

Psychologie Magazine

Nov 2011

 

How do you keep your body and your brain in top shape? Psychology Magazine sought out the precepts providing the fastest and best results.Interview with Prof. Anne Speckens psychiatrist, professor of anxiety and mood disorders at the Radboud University Nijmegen giving mindful health advice. "Make sure you lead the life you want to lead. I see too many people who have not done, and how much sadness and grief that does. Very unhealthy!"      read research  >>

 

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis

Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine
Alberto Chiesa, M.D., and Alessandro Serretti, M.D., Ph.D. 

2009

Review and meta-analysis of the current evidence about the efficacy of MBSR in healthy subjects, with a particular focus on its benefits for stressreduction. MBSR (Mindfulness-based stress reduction) is a clinically standardized meditation that has shown consistent efficacy for many mental and physical disorders. Results: MBSR showed a nonspecific effect on stress reduction in comparison to an inactive control. MBSR was able to reduce ruminative thinking and trait anxiety, as well as to increase empathy and self-compassion. Conclusions:  MBSR is able to reduce stress levels in healthy people. However, important limitations of the included studies underline the necessity of further research..      
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How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective

Perspectives on Psychological Science --  Association for Psychological Sciences 

Nov 2011

 

Tim Gard (now at the University of Maastricht, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience) co-published “How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective” with Britta K. Hölzel, Sara W. Lazar, et al. in 2011 November issues of Perspectives on Psychological Science [November 2011 vol. 6 no. 6537-559]

 

The researchers explore several components through which mindfulness meditation exerts its effects: (a) attention regulation, (b) body awareness, (c) emotion regulation (including reappraisal and exposure, extinction, and reconsolidation), and (d) change in perspective on the self. Recent empirical research provides evidence supporting these mechanisms. Functional and structural neuroimaging studies have begun to explore the neuroscientific processes underlying these components. Evidence suggests that mindfulness practice is associated with neuroplastic changes.      

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Scientific Research initiated by BeVital

We believe that evidence for the effects of vitality supports rational decisions based on peer-reviewed outcomes.  

 

As a consequence, the BeVital initiates and facilitates scientific research regarding the impact of vitality management, it makes these scientific insights accessible ​and brings together people who share these values for exchange and learning.

 

Ultimately, as a benefit to it's clients the BeVital disseminates scienctific insights and puts effective solutions at the disposal of individuals and organizations.

 

Informed choices based on peer-reviewed resarch saves energy and budgets, knowing which investments are most likely to bring relief and yield other desired results.

 

BeVital research efforts endeavor to find evidence for ... 

 

• the positive effects of vitality habits on sick leave, engagement and prevention of burn-out;

   

• the significance of  vitality habits in the convalescence of professionals recovering from burn-out or treatment from illness;
   

• the relevance of optimal vitality for developing assertiveness, fostering creativitiy and for dealing with conflict effectively; and

   

• the impact of mindfulness on building resilience for demanding conditions such as high-impact responsibility, seasonal stress and peak performance.

The effect of mindfulness-Meditation Training on Multitasking in a High-Stress Information Environment.

University of Washington, Information School 

Mar 2013

Multitasking is a widespread phenomenon in today’s information-saturated world, and there is considerable concern about its negative consequences for both personal health and effectiveness. This has resulted in strong requests for guidance and understanding from parents, educators, employers, and workers      read research >>

The Impact of Intensive Mindfulness Training on Attentional Control, Cognitive Style and Affect

Cognitive Therapy and Research Journal
Feb 2007

To evaluate the impact of an intensive period of mindfulness meditation training on cognitive and affective function, a non-clinical group of 20 novice meditators were tested before and after participation in a 10-day intensive mindfulness meditation retreat. They were evaluated with self-report scales measuring mindfulness, rumination and affect, as well as performance tasks assessing working memory, sustained attention, and attention switching.     
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Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation

Journal of Behavorial Medecine 

Feb-Mar 2014

With the widespread and growing use of meditative practices in hospitals and academic medical centers for outpatients presenting with a range of chronic stress and pain-related disorders and chronic diseases, under the umbrella of what has come to be called mind/body or integrative medicine, the question of possible biological mechanisms by which meditation may affect somatic, cognitive, and affective processes becomes increasingly important.      

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