Journal article
Effects of an Online Meditation Course on Quality of Life and Positive Emotions: A Prospective Observational Study (EXPANSION Study)
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, Vol.30(6), pp.518-531
06/2024
Metrics
13 Record Views
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Abstract
Background: Several meditation interventions showed positive effects on physical and mental health. The aim of this study is a first evaluation of the (within-group) effects of a 21-day online meditation course of the "expansion method." Methods: For this exploratory observational study, parameters were assessed at baseline, at 1 month, and at a 3-month follow-up. Exploratory endpoints were health-related quality of life (PROMIS Preference Score), global health (PROMIS) with the subscales physical and mental health, stress perception (Perceived Stress Scale), positive and negative affect regulation (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), flourishing (Flourishing Scale), self-efficacy (Short Scale for Measuring General Self-Efficacy Beliefs), gratitude and awe (Gratitude and Awe Questionnaire), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), spirituality (Aspects of Spirituality), and mysticism (Mysticism Scale) on validated inventories. In addition, self-constructed questions (NRS) assessed health status, lifestyle, and concept evaluation. Results: Data from 359 participants were included in this study (response rate: 68% at 1 month, 46% at 3 months). The main analysis was based on the complete cases at 1 month (n = 244 participants; 84% female; 51 ± 11 years; 89% German). Medium effect sizes were found for mental health (p < 0.0001; d = 0.6), flourishing (p < 0.0001; d = 0.63), and negative affect (p < 0.0001; d = 0.68) at 1 month. Small effect sizes were obtained for physical health, stress, positive affect, self-efficacy, spirituality, and mysticism at 3 months. In a sensitivity analysis, the strongest effects at 1 month were found in the subgroup that completed per-protocol (n = 140), followed by those with complete data at all time points (n = 159). Effects were lowest in the intention-to-treat analysis (n = 359). The content of the course was positively evaluated by the participants. Conclusions: The online meditation course based on the expansion method had potentially beneficial effects, especially on mental health parameters. Based on the feasibility results, further research using randomized controlled designs is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04950543.
Details
- Title
- Effects of an Online Meditation Course on Quality of Life and Positive Emotions: A Prospective Observational Study (EXPANSION Study)
- Creators
- Hannah Maja Figura - University Hospital Carl Gustav CarusFelix Joyonto Saha - Kliniken Essen-MitteSonja Seibt - Kliniken Essen-MitteHeidemarie Haller - University of Duisburg-EssenHolger C Bringmann - Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinChristian S Kessler - Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinJoachim Kugler - University Hospital Carl Gustav CarusHolger Cramer - University Hospital Tübingen (Tübingen, Germany)Andreas Michalsen - Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinFarid I Kandil - Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinMichael Jeitler - Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- Publication Details
- Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, Vol.30(6), pp.518-531
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
- Identifiers
- 991013152813302368
- Copyright
- Copyright 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article