mindfulness - evaluation

• EFFECTIVENESS - evidence that MBSR has positive effects on immune system and mood

  Davidson et al (2003) - 25 healthy employees completed 8 week MBSR programme> increased activity in brain areas associated with positive emotion > compared - 16 in control

  MBSR group - produced more antibodies after flu-jab comp to control

  quantifiable and measurable benefits to physical and mental health from taking part in MF course

  evidence suggests MF - only effective in group settings, and evidence supporting MF - weak
• EFFECTIVENESS - scientific evidence supports MF benefits

  Holzel et al - 30 minute meditation daily > improves density of grey matter in brain, in areas associated with memory, stress + empathy

  brings positive changes in physiology of the brain

  helps emotional states - stress and improved memory

  H -not everyone has characteristics needed to do meditation > to experience the success, have to be calm + patient
• EFFECTIVENESS - most effective if used with CBT than alone

  MB + CBT - alters thinking process and person's relationship with thoughts, rather than challenging thought content

  Teasdale et al (2000) - 8 week MB-CBT = significantly reduced depression for people who had 3/+ experiences > no difference in patients who had 2/- > compared to patients who had 'treatment as usual'

  problematic > suggests MF alone - not as effective , but is when combined with traditional therapies

  although, Teasdale research, suggests MB-CBT is effective and of benefit to certain people - e.g. recurrent depression
• ETHICAL - client's not fully informed about roots of MF

  key feature > practice of meditation > rooted in Buddhist religion > therefore people should be aware they're engaging in form of religious practice

  practicing meditation may conflict with individual's own religious/moral beliefs, so should be fully informed of links to Buddhism before engaging
• ETHICAL - doesn't involve bringing up the past + shouldn't provoke anxiety causing thoughts/memories

  unlike psychodynamic - MF doesn't attribute current issues to past

  unlike CBT - doesn't aim to challenge and change thought processes, but encourages awareness and acceptance of thoughts

  gentle approach to therapy, avoids issues of anxiety and feelings of guilt associated with other therapies
• ETHICAL - practicing MF > becoming more moral in aspects of life

  Ruedy + Schweitzer = people proficient in MF = less likely to cheat on task and more likely to uphold ethical standards in a decision making process

  improving our state of mind through MF - benefits to approach to life

  HOWEVER - difficult to establish cause + effect > could be that people with high sense of morality are likely to commit themselves to developing their level of MF