A multisensory mindfulness experience: exploring the promotion of sensory awareness as a mindfulness practice

Summary & key facts

This was a small, preliminary study that tested two short mindfulness setups: (a) an audio-only guided practice and (b) a multisensory experience (smell, sound, light) followed by a biofeedback display of the user’s heartbeat. Sixty-eight people took part. Heart-rate variability (HRV) data showed an increase in parasympathetic activity after the experiences, but self-reported state anxiety did not change significantly. The authors say the multisensory, tech-assisted design was acceptable to participants and worth more research.

Key facts:

• The study collected valid data from 68 participants.
• The researchers compared two conditions: audio-only guided mindfulness and a multisensory experience with olfactory, audio, visual stimulation plus real-time heartbeat biofeedback.
• Heart-rate variability (HRV) was measured at baseline, during each stage of the experience, and after the intervention.
• Physiological results showed an increase in parasympathetic activity after the experiences for both groups, with only small differences between the two conditions.
• There were no significant pre-to-post changes in self-reported state (test) anxiety.
• Participants reported very high acceptance of the designed multisensory stimuli, and the authors describe the work as preliminary and in need of further research.

Abstract

Objectives: In this preliminary and multidisciplinary exploratory study, we assess whether mindfulness practice could be enhanced through a multisensory expe...

Topics

Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies Urban Green Space and Health

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Anthropology Anxiety Biofeedback Clinical psychology Cognitive psychology Computer science Computer security Developmental psychology Exploratory research Heartbeat Mindfulness Programming language Psychiatry Psychology Sociology Trait