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Mindfulness-Informed Guided Imagery to Target Physical Activity: A Mixed Method Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study.

Frontiers in psychology
May 5, 2021
Alexis D Mitchell et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to develop and test a brief mindfulness-informed guided imagery intervention to promote physical activity enjoyment and engagement by targeting cognitive and affective processes.

Results Summary

Participants found the guided imagery easy to use, enjoyable, and helpful, reporting increased physical activity frequency, enjoyment, mindfulness during exercise, self-efficacy, and satisfaction. Qualitative data indicated positive shifts in behavior, affect, and future-oriented thinking related to physical activity.

Population

Not specified (general population of underactive individuals implied).

Effective Dosage

~4-minute audio files (frequency not specified).

Duration

2 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
intervention feasibility and acceptability
participants
-
endorsed as easy to use, enjoyable and helpful
#1
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
behavior change
participants
-
reported positive shifts in
#2
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
physical activity enjoyment
participants
-
reported positive shifts in
#3
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
mindfulness during physical activity
participants
-
reported increased
#4
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
physical exercise self-efficacy
participants
-
reported increased
#5
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
satisfaction
participants
-
reported increased
#6
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
physical activity
participants
-
increased their frequency of
#7
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
positive affect during physical activity
participants
-
tended to experience
#8
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
future oriented thinking
participants
-
engaged in
#9
mindfulness informed guided imagery
increase
physical activity in a more positive light
participants
-
able to view
#10
Abstract

Physical activity offers substantial mind-body health benefits and reduced mortality, yet many individuals are chronically underactive. Physical activity interventions may benefit from integrative approaches that join components of mindfulness and neurobiological models of behavior. Mindfulness increases one's awareness of cognitions and physical sensations to potentially facilitate self-regulation, while neurobiological models such as the dual system model of health behavior offer guidance on improving physical activity intervention targets. This 2-phase study includes an initial development process to create brief (∼4 min) mindfulness informed guided imagery audio files that target distinct cognitive and affective processes to promote physical activity. In the second phase, participants completed a 2-week pilot intervention study to gather qualitative and quantitative data on intervention feasibility and acceptability. Participants endorsed the mindfulness informed guided imagery as easy to use, enjoyable and helpful. Over a 2-week intervention period participants reported positive shifts in behavior change, physical activity enjoyment, increased mindfulness during physical activity, and increased physical exercise self-efficacy and satisfaction. Interview data revealed that participants increased their frequency of physical activity and tended to experience positive affect during physical activity, engaged in future oriented thinking and were able to view physical activity in a more positive light. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of an integrative online mindfulness informed guided imagery intervention to promote physical activity enjoyment and engagement. This study extends health behavior change intervention research and provides supporting evidence for a flexible and tailorable online mindfulness-based intervention.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.61
NIH Percentile32.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.22
Normalized Score0.69
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