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PreprintCited by 13Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Who benefits most? Interactions between personality traits and outcomes of four incremental meditation and yoga treatments

Open access
Matko, Karin, Berghöfer, Anne, Jeitler, Michael, Sedlmeier, Peter, Bringmann, Holger Carl·2022·Journal of Clinical Medicine
DOI 10.31231/osf.io/9rbqePMC PMC9369882
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Abstract

Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) includes a broad range of interventions of proven pre-ventive and clinical value, such as yoga and meditation. However, people differ in their preferences and response to different MBM treatments, and it remains unclear who bene-fits most from what type of practice. Thus, finding moderators of treatment outcome seems to be a promising approach. This was the aim of the present study. We conducted a single-case multiple-baseline study investigating the outcomes and moderators of four different MBM treatments. Fifty-seven healthy participants with no prior experience were randomly assigned to three baselines (7, 14, and 21 days) and four eight-week treatments: mantra meditation alone, meditation plus physical yoga, meditation plus ethical education, and meditation plus yoga and ethical education. We analysed the data using effect size estima-tion, multiple regression and cluster analyses. High anxiety, high absorption, low spirituali-ty, low openness and younger age were associated with a range of positive outcomes, such as increased well-being or decentering and decreased mind-wandering. Receiving ethical education consistently improved well-being, while engaging in physical yoga reduced mind-wandering. In the cluster analysis, we found that participants with a more maladaptive per-sonality structure enhanced their emotion regulation skills more. Consequently, people do differ in their response to MBM interventions and more vulnerable people, or those high in absorption, seem to benefit more. These findings could guide the development of custom-tailored MBM interventions and help clinicians to make scientifically sound recommenda-tions for their patients.

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a single-case multiple-baseline study of four eight-week meditation/yoga treatments, 42 completers showed differential responses depending on personality and treatment components. More vulnerable participants and those high in absorption appeared to benefit more, while ethical education improved wellbeing and physical yoga reduced mind wandering.

Key findings

  • High anxiety, high absorption, low spirituality, low openness, and younger age were associated with positive outcomes across several variables, including increased wellbeing or decentering and decreased mind wandering.
  • Receiving ethical education consistently predicted improved wellbeing, while engaging in physical yoga predicted reduced mind wandering.
  • In cluster analysis, participants with a more maladaptive personality structure (cluster 1, n = 24) showed greater increases in emotion regulation than those with a more balanced personality (cluster 2, n = 18), t(29.9) = 3.61, p = 0.001, r = 0.36.
  • No personality predictors significantly predicted the total effect; model variance explained ranged from 0.20 for stress to 0.72 for emotion regulation.

Methods

  • Single-case multiple-baseline design: 57 healthy participants with no prior yoga/meditation experience were randomized to baselines of 7, 14, or 21 days and to four eight-week treatments: mantra meditation alone (MA), meditation plus physical Hatha yoga (MY), meditation plus ethical education (ME), and meditation plus yoga and ethical education (MYE).
  • 42 participants completed treatment: 83% women, mean age 26.62 (SD = 8.37), 86% students and 14% employees; 10 completed MA, 10 MY, 11 ME, and 11 MYE.
  • Daily online questionnaires during baseline and treatment; outcomes analyzed with Tau-U effect sizes, multiple regression with personality traits and covariates, and Ward’s hierarchical cluster analysis.

Limitations

  • The paper states that although 42 participants is exceptionally large for single-case research, the sample is small for personality effects and subgroup comparisons, and recommends replication with a conventional design and larger sample.
  • The paper notes that shortened/adapted questionnaires for body awareness and emotion regulation require thorough validation, and that some non-significant but relatively large regression coefficients might reach significance in larger samples.
  • The paper states that cluster analyses were exploratory and did not correct for multiple comparisons; it also notes that a longer baseline unexpectedly predicted higher mind wandering, possibly due to the extensive study period or a methodological artefact.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.31231/osf.io/9rbqe

Cites

92 of 92 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 47 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    There were no significant differences in the distribution of participants across treatment conditions between clusters, X2(3, N=42)=1.35, p=0.717.

    “When we compared the number of participants in each cluster with respect to treatment condition, we found no significant differences, X2 (3, N = 42) = 1.35, p = 0.717.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    No significant predictors were found for changes in attention, body awareness, emotion regulation, self-reflection, stress, or valence.

    “There were no significant predictors of changes in attention, body awareness, emotion regulation, self-reflection, stress or valence.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Receiving ethical education predicted higher gains in wellbeing.

    “Further, participants high in absorption and those who received ethical education in their treatment reported higher gains in wellbeing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Personality traits measured at pre-test are stable over the eight-week treatment period and can be used as moderators of treatment outcome.
  • Findingown data

    High extraversion predicted increased arousal over time.

    “arousal increased over time for participants high in extraversion”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Personality traits measured at pre-test are stable over the eight-week treatment period and can be used as moderators of treatment outcome.
  • Findingown data

    Receiving physical yoga predicted decreases in mind wandering.

    “as did receiving physical yoga.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Personality traits measured at pre-test are stable over the eight-week treatment period and can be used as moderators of treatment outcome.
  • May combine two claims. 11
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 41
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants in cluster 1 exhibited a more maladaptive personality structure than cluster 2, with higher anxiety and neuroticism and lower distress tolerance, life satisfaction, sattva proportion, self-compassion, absorption, extraversion, openness, need for cognition, and spirituality.

    “Participants in the first cluster exhibited a rather maladaptive personality structure, with higher levels of anxiety and neuroticism and lower levels of distress tolerance, life satisfaction, sattva proportion and self-compassion. They also had lower levels of absorption, extraversion, openness, need for cognition and spirituality.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    In the mantra-meditation-alone condition, seven participants were classified as cluster 1, compared to three in cluster 2.

    “However, in the mantra-meditation-alone condition, seven participants were classified as belonging to cluster 1, compared to only three participants in cluster 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In earlier studies, higher openness was associated with greater engagement in MBM activities at home.

    “In contrast, in earlier studies, higher openness was associated with better outcomes in MBM interventions [69] and greater engagement in MBM activities at home [70].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [70] Barkan T. Hoerger M. Gallegos A.M. Turiano N.A. Duberstein P.R. Moynihan J.A. Personality predicts utilization of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction during and post-intervention in a community sample of older adults J. Altern. Complement. Med. 2016 22 390 395 10.1089/acm.2015.0177 27031734 PMC4860670

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Experienced meditators score higher on trait absorption.

    “Likewise, experienced meditators score higher on trait absorption [68].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [68] Berkovich-Ohana A. Glicksohn J. Meditation, absorption, transcendent experience, and affect: Tying it all together via the Consciousness State Space (CSS) model Mindfulness 2017 8 68 77 10.1007/s12671-015-0481-9

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Participants high in absorption at the onset of the study were more likely to report increased wellbeing, body awareness, and decentering as well as decreased mind wandering.

    “Participants high in this trait at the onset of the study were more likely to report increased wellbeing, body awareness and decentering as well as decreased mind wandering.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Personality traits measured at pre-test are stable over the eight-week treatment period and can be used as moderators of treatment outcome.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Participants high in absorption meditated more frequently and with more effortlessness, which might have increased motivation and effectivity.

    “This implies that participants high in absorption meditated more frequently and with more effortlessness, which might have increased motivation and effectivity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Individual practice time, age, gender, occupation, and baseline length were statistically controlled by including them in the regression model.

    “Moreover, we statistically controlled individual practice time, age, gender, occupation and baseline length by including them in the model.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    No correction for multiple comparisons was applied because of the exploratory nature of the analysis.

    “We did not correct for multiple comparisons because of the exploratory nature of our analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Participants were randomly assigned to three baseline lengths (7, 14, or 21 days) and four treatment conditions using simple random sampling without replacement.

    “We randomised participants across these four conditions and across three baseline lengths (7, 14 or 21 days) using simple random sampling without replacement.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In earlier studies, higher openness was associated with better outcomes in MBM interventions.

    “In contrast, in earlier studies, higher openness was associated with better outcomes in MBM interventions [69] and greater engagement in MBM activities at home [70].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [69] Krick A. Felfe J. Who benefits from mindfulness? The moderating role of personality and social norms for the effectiveness on psychological and physiological outcomes among police officers J. Occup. Health Psychol. 2020 25 99 112 10.1037/ocp0000159 31219270

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    Study design and conductcitation

    The study followed the Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioral interventions (SCARBE).

    “we follow the Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioral interventions [33].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [33] Tate R.L. Perdices M. Rosenkoetter U. Shadish W. Vohra S. Barlow D.H. Horner R. Kazdin A. Kratochwill T. McDonald S. The Single-Case Reporting guideline In Behavioural Interventions (SCRIBE) 2016 statement Phys. Ther. 2016 96 e1-10 10.2522/ptj.2016.96.7.e1 27371692

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    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT04252976.

    “This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT04252976.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Tau-U, a non-parametric effect size estimate developed for experimental single-case research that controls for trends in both phases, was used.

    “We employed Tau-U, which is a non-parametric effect size estimate specifically developed for experimental single-case research that allows for controlling trends observed in both phases [62].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [62] Parker R.I. Vannest K.J. Davis J.L. Sauber S.B. Combining nonoverlap and trend for single-case research: Tau-U Behav. Ther. 2011 42 284 299 10.1016/j.beth.2010.08.006 21496513

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    Study design and conductnone given

    The institutional review board of the Chemnitz University of Technology approved the experimental protocol.

    “The institutional review board of the Chemnitz University of Technology approved the experimental protocol.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    High trait absorption is related to both greater meditation depth and intense spiritual experiences.

    “Several studies indicate that high trait absorption is related to both greater meditation depth [66] and intense spiritual experiences [67].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [66] Hölzel B.K. Ott U. Relationships between meditation depth, absorption, meditation practice, and mindfulness: A latent variable approach J. Transpers. Psychol. 2006 38 179 199

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [67] Lifshitz M. van Elk M. Luhrmann T.M. Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms Conscious. Cogn. 2019 73 102760 10.1016/j.concog.2019.05.008 31228696

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    Premisecitation

    Spirituality or spiritual experiences moderated positive MBM intervention outcomes.

    “Likewise, spirituality or spiritual experiences moderated positive MBM intervention outcomes [71,72]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [71] Greeson J.M. Smoski M.J. Suarez E.C. Brantley J.G. Ekblad A.G. Lynch T.R. Wolever R.Q. Decreased symptoms of depression after mindfulness-based stress reduction: Potential moderating effects of religiosity, spirituality, trait mindfulness, sex, and age J. Altern. Complement. Med. 2015 21 166 174 10.1089/acm.2014.0285 25695903 PMC4365440

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    • cites [72] Ratcliff C.G. Fowler S.N. Sinclair K.L. Prinsloo S. Chaoul A. Zepeda S.G. Spelman A. Yang W.T. Cohen L. Who benefits most from a brief mindfulness intervention to reduce anxiety during stereotactic breast biopsy: The moderating effect of trait mindfulness, spiritual well-being, and distress tolerance Mindfulness 2021 12 1127 1137 10.1007/s12671-020-01581-6 PMC11823682 39950152

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    Premisecitation

    A recent study indicated that physical yoga reduced mind wandering.

    “A recent study indicated that physical yoga reduced mind wandering and this effect was amplified by additional yoga breathing practice [83].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [83] Saoji A.A. Raghavendra B.R. Madle K. Manjunath N.K. Additional practice of yoga breathing with intermittent breath holding enhances psychological functions in yoga practitioners: A randomized controlled trial EXPLORE 2018 14 379 384 10.1016/j.explore.2018.02.005 30122326

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    Premisecitation

    Physicians expressed a high interest in implementing and recommending MBM interventions.

    “Physicians expressed a high interest in implementing and recommending MBM interventions, but reported sizeable barriers, such as lack of training, expertise or clinic time [87].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [87] Sierpina V. Levine R. Astin J. Tan A. Use of mind-body therapies in psychiatry and family medicine faculty and residents: Attitudes, barriers, and gender differences EXPLORE 2007 3 129 135 10.1016/j.explore.2006.12.001 17362848

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    Premisecitation

    A large survey study reported that middle-aged and older adults had higher levels of decentering than younger ones.

    “A large survey study reported that middle-aged and older adults had higher levels of decentering than younger ones [74]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [74] Naragon-Gainey K. McMahon T.P. Strowger M. Lackner R. Seah T. Moore M.T. Fresco D.M. A comparison of decentering across demographic groups and meditation experience: Support for the measurement invariance of the Experiences Questionnaire Psychol. Assess. 2020 32 197 204 10.1037/pas0000767 31464465 PMC6980891

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    Premisecitation

    Increased mindfulness has been proposed as a central mechanism of yoga's effectiveness on stress and general health.

    “Fittingly, increased mindfulness has been proposed as a central mechanism of yoga’s effectiveness on stress and general health [85,86].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [85] Riley K.E. Park C.L. How does yoga reduce stress? A systematic review of mechanisms of change and guide to future inquiry Health Psychol. Rev. 2015 9 379 396 10.1080/17437199.2014.981778 25559560

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    • cites [86] Tellhed U. Daukantaitė D. Maddux R.E. Svensson T. Melander O. Yogic breathing and mindfulness as stress coping mediate positive health outcomes of yoga Mindfulness 2019 10 2703 2715 10.1007/s12671-019-01225-4

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    Premisecitation

    There have been mixed findings regarding the moderating role of extraversion on MBM intervention outcomes.

    “There have been mixed findings regarding the moderating role of extraversion on MBM intervention outcomes [25,76].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [25] Nyklíček I. Irrmischer M. For whom does Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction work? Moderating effects of personality Mindfulness 2017 8 1106 1116 10.1007/s12671-017-0687-0 28757903 PMC5506177

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    • cites [76] Kobylińska D. Lewczuk K. Marchlewska M. Pietraszek A. For body and mind: Practicing yoga and emotion regulation Soc. Psychol. Bull. 2018 13 1 21 10.5964/spb.v13i1.25502

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    Premisecitation

    Previously reported findings show beneficial effects of ethical education.

    “This supports our previously reported findings on the beneficial effects of ethical education [17].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Matko K. Sedlmeier P. Bringmann H.C. Differential effects of ethical education, physical Hatha yoga, and mantra meditation on well-being and stress in healthy participants—An experimental single-case study Front. Psychol. 2021 12 672301 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672301 34421729 PMC8375679

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    Premisecitation

    It is increasingly being acknowledged in psychotherapy and psychiatry, for example, in acceptance and commitment therapy.

    “Furthermore, it is increasingly being acknowledged in psychotherapy and psychiatry, for example, in acceptance and commitment therapy [80].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [80] Hayes S.C. Strosahl K.D. Wilson K.G. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change 2nd ed. Guilford Press New York, NY, USA 2011

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    Premisecitation

    Physicians reported sizeable barriers to implementing and recommending MBM interventions, such as lack of training, expertise or clinic time.

    “Physicians expressed a high interest in implementing and recommending MBM interventions, but reported sizeable barriers, such as lack of training, expertise or clinic time [87].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [87] Sierpina V. Levine R. Astin J. Tan A. Use of mind-body therapies in psychiatry and family medicine faculty and residents: Attitudes, barriers, and gender differences EXPLORE 2007 3 129 135 10.1016/j.explore.2006.12.001 17362848

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There is little research on physical yoga's impact on mind wandering, in contrast to meditation research.

    “Surprisingly, there is little research on physical yoga’s impact on mind wandering, in contrast to meditation research [82].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [82] Brandmeyer T. Delorme A. Meditation and the wandering mind: A theoretical framework of underlying neurocognitive mechanisms Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 2021 16 39 66 10.1177/1745691620917340 32598855 PMC7769998

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In that recent study, the effect of physical yoga on mind wandering was amplified by additional yoga breathing practice.

    “A recent study indicated that physical yoga reduced mind wandering and this effect was amplified by additional yoga breathing practice [83].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [83] Saoji A.A. Raghavendra B.R. Madle K. Manjunath N.K. Additional practice of yoga breathing with intermittent breath holding enhances psychological functions in yoga practitioners: A randomized controlled trial EXPLORE 2018 14 379 384 10.1016/j.explore.2018.02.005 30122326

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Openness and spirituality were positively related to psychological wellbeing.

    “and openness and spirituality were positively related to psychological wellbeing [73].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [73] Unterrainer H.F. Ladenhauf K.H. Moazedi M.L. Wallner-Liebmann S.J. Fink A. Dimensions of religious/spiritual well-being and their relation to personality and psychological well-being Personal. Individ. Differ. 2010 49 192 197 10.1016/j.paid.2010.03.032

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    Interpretationcitation

    The physical yoga component in this study integrated yoga postures and simple breathing practice, which might have enhanced its effects on mind wandering.

    “The physical yoga component in this study integrated yoga postures and simple breathing practice, which might have enhanced its effects.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Earlier studies reported greater declines in stress for participants high in neuroticism or distress tolerance.

    “This seems surprising considering that earlier studies reported greater declines in stress for participants high in neuroticism or distress tolerance [24,78].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [24] de Vibe M. Solhaug I. Tyssen R. Friborg O. Rosenvinge J.H. Sørlie T. Halland E. Bjørndal A. Does personality moderate the effects of mindfulness training for medical and psychology students? Mindfulness 2015 6 281 289 10.1007/s12671-013-0258-y 25798208 PMC4359274

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    • cites [78] Gawrysiak M.J. Leong S.H. Grassetti S.N. Wai M. Shorey R.C. Baime M.J. Dimensions of distress tolerance and the moderating effects on mindfulness-based stress reduction Anxiety Stress Coping 2016 29 552 560 10.1080/10615806.2015.1085513 26293679 PMC6130202

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    Premisecitation

    Contemporary yoga theories often attribute a reduction in mind wandering to the meditation component of traditional yoga.

    “Contemporary yoga theories often attribute a reduction in mind wandering to the meditation component of traditional yoga [22,81].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [22] Schmalzl L. Powers C. Henje Blom E. Neurophysiological and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the effects of yoga-based practices: Towards a comprehensive theoretical framework Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2015 9 235 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00235 26005409 PMC4424840

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    • cites [81] Gard T. Noggle J.J. Park C.L. Vago D.R. Wilson A. Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2014 8 770 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00770 25368562 PMC4179745

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    Premisecitation

    In an earlier publication, the authors reported similar positive effects for all four MBM treatments on emotion regulation.

    “In an earlier publication, we reported similar positive effects for all four MBM treatments on emotion regulation [51].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [51] Matko K. Sedlmeier P. Bringmann H.C. Embodied cognition in meditation, yoga, and ethics: An experimental single-case study on differential effects of four treatments PsyArXiv 2021 Available online: https://psyarxiv.com/kvw34/ (accessed on 28 September 2021) PMC9517053 36142006

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    Premisecitation

    Smillie et al. showed that positive affect could best be conceptualised as a combination of positive valence and high activation/arousal.

    “Smillie et al. [77] showed that this positive affect could best be conceptualised as a combination of positive valence and high activation/arousal.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [77] Smillie L.D. DeYoung C.G. Hall P.J. Clarifying the relation between extraversion and positive affect J. Pers. 2015 83 564 574 10.1111/jopy.12138 25234441

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    Premisecitation

    Excessive mind wandering has been linked to several psychological disorders, such as depression or anxiety.

    “Excessive mind wandering, for example, has been linked to several psychological disorders, such as depression or anxiety [88].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [88] Chaieb L. Hoppe C. Fell J. Mind wandering and depression: A status report Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2022 133 104505 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.028 34929225

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    Premisecitation

    Mind wandering and mindfulness are inversely related.

    “In addition, mind wandering and mindfulness were shown to be inversely related, representing opposite sides of the same coin [84].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [84] Mrazek M.D. Smallwood J. Schooler J.W. Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs Emotion 2012 12 442 10.1037/a0026678 22309719

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  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The measure of self-reflection was more specific and less reliable than other measures.

    “Admittedly, our measure of self-reflection was more specific and less reliable than other measures, which might explain the null findings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationown data

    The personality structure and desired skills/goals of people interested in MBM practices can be taken into account.

    “Overall, our results showed that participants differ in their response to MBM interventions and that the personality structure and desired skills/goals of people interested in MBM practices can be taken into account.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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    Interpretationreasoning

    The very heterogeneous and contradictory results are possibly due to the so-far undifferentiated indication.

    “The very heterogeneous and contradictory results are possibly due to the so-far undifferentiated indication.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Individualised selection and adaptation to symptomatology and personality traits has hardly been done so far and the evidence is insufficient.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The larger improvement in participants with a less favourable personality profile might be due to stronger motivation or higher potential for improvement.

    “The reasons for this might be a stronger motivation or a higher potential for improvement.”
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    Premisecitation

    Several researchers proposed that MBM practices might train another mindful form of emotion regulation associated with interoceptive awareness and non-reactively observing all emotions.

    “In addition, several researchers proposed that MBM practices might train another mindful form of emotion regulation that is associated with interoceptive awareness and non-reactively observing all emotions [97,98,99].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [97] Chambers R. Gullone E. Allen N.B. Mindful emotion regulation: An integrative review Clin. Psychol. Rev. 2009 29 560 572 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.06.005 19632752

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    • cites [98] Iani L. Lauriola M. Chiesa A. Cafaro V. Associations between mindfulness and emotion regulation: The key role of describing and nonreactivity Mindfulness 2019 10 366 375 10.1007/s12671-018-0981-5

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    • cites [99] Price C.J. Hooven C. Interoceptive awareness skills for emotion regulation: Theory and approach of Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (MABT) Front. Psychol. 2018 9 798 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00798 29892247 PMC5985305

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Regression to the mean or spontaneous remission is unlikely because in outpatients with clinical depression, MBLM was more effective than treatment as usual.

    “However, this might be unlikely, as in outpatients with clinical depression, MBLM turned out to be more effective than treatment as usual [92].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Another potential explanation for the larger improvement is regression to the mean or spontaneous remission for participants who experienced more difficulties.

    “Another potential explanation could be a regression to the mean or a spontaneous remission for those participants that experienced more difficulties.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Emotion regulation difficulties are at the core of various forms of psychopathology.

    “Given that emotion regulation difficulties are at the core of various forms of psychopathology [93,94], our findings might be of particular importance in this regard.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [93] Gross J.J. Muñoz R.F. Emotion regulation and mental health Clin. Psychol. Sci. Pract. 1995 2 151 164 10.1111/j.1468-2850.1995.tb00036.x

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [94] Aldao A. Nolen-Hoeksema S. Schweizer S. Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review Clin. Psychol. Rev. 2010 30 217 237 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.004 20015584

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    If one only looks at the significant results of the regression analyses, one might argue that their number is not much higher than the one to be expected by a Type-1 error.

    “If one only looks at the significant results of the regression analyses, one might argue that their number is not much higher than the one to be expected by a Type-1 error.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In psychotherapy, there are high proportions of non-responders and a stagnation of effectiveness despite constant further developments.

    “A look at the more recent developments in psychotherapy shows that here, too, against the background of high proportions of non-responders and a stagnation of effectiveness, despite constant further developments, a shift to an individualised indication based on biopsychosocial patient characteristics is called for [101].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [101] Brakemeier E.-L. Herpertz S.C. Innovative Psychotherapieforschung: Auf dem Weg zu einer evidenz- und prozessbasierten individualisierten und modularen Psychotherapie Nervenarzt 2019 90 1125 1134 10.1007/s00115-019-00808-9 31659372

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Another limitation concerns the shortened and adapted questionnaires used to measure body awareness and emotion regulation.

    “Another limitation concerns the shortened and adapted questionnaires that we used to measure body awareness and emotion regulation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The authors reported some non-significant, but relatively high, betas in their regression analyses, which might reach significance in larger samples.

    “Therefore, we reported some non-significant, but relatively high, betas in our regression analyses, which might reach significance in larger samples.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Although the measures proved valuable in the study and extensive piloting was performed, a thorough validation is required.

    “Although these measures proved valuable in our study and the extensive piloting we performed, a thorough validation is required.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
47 of 47

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Personality traits measured at pre-test are stable over the eight-week treatment period and can be used as moderators of treatment outcome.

    “we assessed a multitude of personality traits during pre-test to find possible moderators of the observed effects.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Individualised selection and adaptation to symptomatology and personality traits has hardly been done so far and the evidence is insufficient.

    “While patient preference is at the forefront of the decision to carry out yoga or not, individualised selection and adaptation to symptomatology and personality traits has hardly been done so far and the evidence is insufficient.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Some studies point to an overall improvement of IS without specifying the subdomains.

    “Some studies point to an overall improvement of IS without specifying the subdomains [126,131,132,134,136].”

    From Interoceptive Ability and Emotion Regulation in Mind–Body Interventions: An Integrative Review (2024) · cites this paper as [134]

    The Discussion (§4.1; page unavailable) reports increased body awareness among participants high in trait absorption, and Methods (§2.5; page unavailable) describes an overall body-awareness measure without reporting subdomain outcomes. The paper does not establish an overall improvement in interoceptive sensibility across participants; the body-awareness finding is limited to a subgroup. (LLM, conf=0.79)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Individual characteristics might influence a participant's response to the different yoga components.

    “Similarly, individual characteristics might influence a participant’s response to the different yoga components [9,48,84].”

    From Embodied Cognition in Meditation, Yoga, and Ethics—An Experimental Single-Case Study on the Differential Effects of Four Mind–Body Treatments (2022) · cites this paper as [48]

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentχ²(3) = 1.35reported p = .717 · recomputed p = .717

    “X2 (3, N = 42) = 1.35, p = .717”

  • Consistentt(29.9) = 3.61reported p = .001 · recomputed p = .001

    “t (29.9) = 3.61, p = .001”

2 of 2

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Self-check results appear here once an independent check has confirmed them.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [6]Feuerstein G. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice 3rd ed. Hohm Press Prescott, AZ, USA 2012
  2. [30]Barlow D.H. Nock M. Hersen M. Single Case Experimental Designs: Strategies for Studying Behavior for Change 3rd ed. Pearson Boston, MA, USA 2009
  3. [48]Puta M. Promoting health by Sattva-Guna [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. [Chemnitz, Germany]: Chemnitz University of Technology 2015 Available online: http://www.qucosa.de/fileadmin/data/qucosa/documents/22407/Maika_Puta_2015_Promoting_Health_by_Sattva_Guna_mit_Link.pdf (accessed on 24 October 2018)
  4. [80]Hayes S.C. Strosahl K.D. Wilson K.G. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change 2nd ed. Guilford Press New York, NY, USA 2011

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Matko, K., Berghöfer, A., Jeitler, M., Sedlmeier, P., & Bringmann, H. C.
Affiliations
  • Chemnitz University of Technology (DE)
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
Corresponding author
Matko, Karin
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Publisher
Center for Open Science
Published
2022-07-13
Volume
11
Issue
15
Pages
4553-4553
ISSN
2077-0383 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.31231/osf.io/9rbqe
PMC
PMC9369882
OpenAlex
W4289832148
Cited by
13
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1
FWCI
2.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • MindRxiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
  • MindRxiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Technische Universität Chemnitz
  • Technische Universität Dresden
  • Karl und Veronica Carstens-Stiftung (KVC 0/098/2018)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords
mind-body medicine, meditation, yoga, personality traits, moderators of treatment outcome, treatment response heterogeneity, ethics education, well-being, decentering, mind wandering, anxiety, absorption, spirituality, openness to experience, emotion regulation, personalized interventions

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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