Research

ACC recognizes and acknowledges the ongoing worldwide research being done regarding the benefits of applied mindfulness as this helps strengthen our efforts to introduce mindfulness into a variety of community/ organizational settings. The ACC does not directly fund  research on mindfulness we but want to share some the research being undertaken locally.

A study of mindfulness as intervention for adolescents undergoing painful medical procedures. The study was conducted by Mark Petter. The ACC, through faculty member Robin Trail, was able to help recruit subjects for the study who had previous experience with mindfulness. The results indicated that adolescents who had previous experience with mindfulness could use mindfulness to reduce their reactivity to pain.

Reference: Petter M, McGrath P, Chambers CT, Dick BD The effects of mindful attention and state mindfulness on acute experimental pain among adolescents. J Pediatr Psychol. 2014 Jun;39(5):521-31.

A study of mindfulness and self-compassion ratings in people with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. The study was conducted by Dr. Ashwin Varghese and was presented to the Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry and the Mind and Life Summer Institute. Additional publication is being prepared. The ACC, through Dr. Whitehorn, provided support and advice for the study. This was the first study to measure mindfulness and self-compassion in this population. The results showed that self-reported mindfulness and self-compassion are strongly and positively correlated.

A mindfulness-based support group for parents of young people with psychosis. The study was led by Dr. David Whitehorn and Mary Campbell, with co-investigators in the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program and the Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry. Preliminary results were presented at the International Conference on Early Psychosis (2012). Additional publication is being prepared. The results suggest that mindfulness practice can help parents of young people with psychosis to be less emotionally reactive, have an overall enhanced sense of confidence, and improve communication with their child.