The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review
Abstract Background Meditation is defined as a mind and body practice focused on interactions between the brain, mind, body, and behaviour, containing four key elements: a quiet location with little distractions, a comfortable posture, a focus of attention, and an open attitude. We sought to review...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00585-8 |
| _version_ | 1818924493161103360 |
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| author | Gurleen K. Saini Saud B. Haseeb Zhala Taghi-Zada Jeremy Y. Ng |
| author_facet | Gurleen K. Saini Saud B. Haseeb Zhala Taghi-Zada Jeremy Y. Ng |
| author_sort | Gurleen K. Saini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Meditation is defined as a mind and body practice focused on interactions between the brain, mind, body, and behaviour, containing four key elements: a quiet location with little distractions, a comfortable posture, a focus of attention, and an open attitude. We sought to review the benefits of meditation on the alleviation of loneliness. Methods A scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework. Eligibility criteria included primary studies of any type that investigated the effects of meditation on loneliness. Search strategies were developed and conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and CINAHL. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and American Psychological Association websites were also searched. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were critically reviewed using a descriptive-analytical narrative method. Results Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria and were published between 2012 and 2020 across 10 countries. Eleven studies reported improvements in relation to loneliness. Of the remaining two studies (15%), one mentioned the alleviation of loneliness, but only looked primarily at social closeness in lonely individuals. The other study found a correlation between loneliness and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels, which was the measured outcome; however, the direct effects of meditation on loneliness were unclear. Three main themes emerged from our analysis, as follows: 1) positive results across all studies, 2) relatively small randomized control trials conducted over the last decade, and 3) lack of diverse demographic information. Conclusions While a small number of studies exist at this intersection, given all included studies indicated positive findings, the effects of meditation in alleviating loneliness are promising. Future research should be directed at understanding how meditation mitigates loneliness and how this intervention can impact practice for healthcare professionals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:26:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd52f6f3b00645b382e012281a1c85e8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:26:12Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd52f6f3b00645b382e012281a1c85e82022-12-21T19:56:41ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832021-05-019113010.1186/s40359-021-00585-8The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping reviewGurleen K. Saini0Saud B. Haseeb1Zhala Taghi-Zada2Jeremy Y. Ng3Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster UniversityAbstract Background Meditation is defined as a mind and body practice focused on interactions between the brain, mind, body, and behaviour, containing four key elements: a quiet location with little distractions, a comfortable posture, a focus of attention, and an open attitude. We sought to review the benefits of meditation on the alleviation of loneliness. Methods A scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework. Eligibility criteria included primary studies of any type that investigated the effects of meditation on loneliness. Search strategies were developed and conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and CINAHL. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and American Psychological Association websites were also searched. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were critically reviewed using a descriptive-analytical narrative method. Results Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria and were published between 2012 and 2020 across 10 countries. Eleven studies reported improvements in relation to loneliness. Of the remaining two studies (15%), one mentioned the alleviation of loneliness, but only looked primarily at social closeness in lonely individuals. The other study found a correlation between loneliness and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels, which was the measured outcome; however, the direct effects of meditation on loneliness were unclear. Three main themes emerged from our analysis, as follows: 1) positive results across all studies, 2) relatively small randomized control trials conducted over the last decade, and 3) lack of diverse demographic information. Conclusions While a small number of studies exist at this intersection, given all included studies indicated positive findings, the effects of meditation in alleviating loneliness are promising. Future research should be directed at understanding how meditation mitigates loneliness and how this intervention can impact practice for healthcare professionals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00585-8LonelinessMeditationMind–body medicineMindfulnessScoping review |
| spellingShingle | Gurleen K. Saini Saud B. Haseeb Zhala Taghi-Zada Jeremy Y. Ng The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review BMC Psychology Loneliness Meditation Mind–body medicine Mindfulness Scoping review |
| title | The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review |
| title_full | The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review |
| title_short | The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review |
| title_sort | effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness a scoping review |
| topic | Loneliness Meditation Mind–body medicine Mindfulness Scoping review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00585-8 |
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