2016 Mindfulness Stats Complete.xlsx

This pilot study employed a single group quasi-experimental, simultaneous mixed-methods design by utilizing quantitative pre and post testing paired with a written qualitative post-assessment. Thirteen (13) healthcare practitioners employed at a community outpatient mental health clinic in Amherst, Nova Scotia were recruited for the study (table 1). Convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants. The Mindfulness Awareness Practices (MAPs) program is a 6-week, validated protocol delivered by a trained instructor. The intervention has demonstrated usefulness in reducing distress in clinical populations (26, 27). Participants completed the MAPs 6-week course, including weekly 90-minute facilitated group classes. Participants were encouraged to complete and record ‘homework’ activities, including guided meditation practice. The program was delivered on-site at the clinic during the participants’ regular workday. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), first proposed in 2006 is a robust, 39-item self-report, Likert type scale measuring 5 correlates of mindfulness; observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reacting (28, 29). The scale exhibits reliable construct validity across facets (30). The Perceived Stress Scale (10) (PSS) is a widely used 10-item, self-report questionnaire designed to measure individual stress, demonstrating high internal consistency across populations ( 0.82) (31, 32). Participants completed the FFMQ and the PSS prior to the first session (week 1) and post-participation in the protocol (week 6). Qualitative data was obtained using a brief, written questionnaire that allowed for narrative-style feedback from participants, completed post-intervention. The questions were as follows:<i> </i><i>“In what way has the six-week mindfulness training influenced your personal life?”</i><i> </i><i>“In what way has the six-week mindfulness training influenced your clinical practice?”</i> <b>Statistical Analysis</b>FFMQ and PSS scores were set as primary outcome measures. Continuous data from the quantitative questionnaires was entered into SPSS. Paired samples t-tests were then conducted. Statistical significance was assumed at 0.05%. Corresponding<i> Cohen's d</i> values were determined, and effect sizes established. Outcome variables included overall mindfulness, perceived stress and the five FFMQ subscales. Secondary outcome measures sought to explore the relationship between engagement and change in outcome scores, however statistical analysis was impacted by poor response rates. <b>Data Analysis</b>Participants were provided with the two questions stated above, and in turn provided the researchers with written responses. The written responses were transcribed to text and some minor substitutions (e.g., replacing shorthand with full words) were made to aid legibility, with no impact to the meaning of the responses. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data to observe themes that arose across participants’ varying experiences of the program.