Fostering adaptive stress management via technology‑mediated mindfulness practice: self‑report and psychophysiological evidence

Background: Several studies have recently observed the efficacy of mindfulness practices in individuals’ psychophysical well-being and stress management [1]. Mindfulness suggested by traditional approaches are based on the acceptance of one’s own mental states and require individual constant commitment and an intense exercise, which usually inhibit beginners. Whereas research have shown the usefulness of body-sensing devices, that are able to control and provide a feedback on meditation progress, in reducing the negative impact of traditional approaches demand [2,3]. So, the potential effects of a mindfulness intervention, supported by using a wearable device, were investigated considering results on stress management and subjective well-being evaluation. Materials and Method: A 4-week mindfulness intervention consisting of daily sessions was tested on forty participants, divided randomly into an active control and experimental group. Experimental group participants were asked to perform daily mindfulness practices supported by the use of a wearable device with an embedded EEG recording system. To evaluate the mindfulness practice effects, physiological and subjective stress-related markers were collected before and after intervention. Results: Results highlighted the efficacy of mindfulness intervention on stress levels decrease for the experimental group participants compared to controls. Specifically, an improvement in physiological markers and parasympathetic activity (standard deviation of inter-beat intervals) was observed during resting-state condition and cognitive stressful performance. Conclusions: These findings suggested the efficacy of an intensive technology-mediated mindfulness intervention in the enhancement of subjective well-being and in stress management, demonstrated by a decrease of anxiety and an increased control on stressful events References 1. Siegel DJ. Mindfulness training and neural integration: Differentiation of distinct streams of awareness and the cultivation of well-being. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2007; 2:259–63. 2. Balconi M, Fronda G, Venturella I, Crivelli D. Conscious, pre-conscious and unconscious mechanisms in emotional behaviour. Some applications to the mindfulness approach with wearable devices. Appl Sci. 2017; 7:1280. 3. Balconi M, Crivelli D. Wearable devices for self-enhancement and improvement of plasticity: effects on neurocognitive efficiency. In: Esposito A, Cordasco G, editors. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies: Dynamics of Signal Exchanges. Heidelberg: Springer. In Press.