Effects of an eight-session mindfulness training program on mindfulness skills and the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio in psychiatric nurses: A quasi-experimental pilot study
- 1Department of Public Administration, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
- 2Kavosh Cognitive Behavior Sciences and Addiction Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Abstract
Psychiatric nurses experience substantial occupational stress and emotional demands, but few studies have assessed both self-reported mindfulness and electrophysiological outcomes following mindfulness training. This quasi-experimental pilot study evaluated an eight-session mindfulness training program in 20 psychiatric nurses randomly allocated to intervention and control groups (10 per group). The intervention group received eight weekly 60-minute sessions, while controls received no intervention. Mindfulness was assessed using the 39-item Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), and electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance. Post-test mindfulness scores were significantly higher in the intervention group (Pillai's Trace = 0.931, F (3,17) = 119.880, P = 0.001, partial η² = 0.933), with significant differences across all four KIMS components (all P = 0.001). Adjusted mean differences were 6.38, 4.45, 5.89, and 7.66 points for observing, describing, concentration, and acceptance, respectively. The Cz EEG theta/beta ratio increased from 1.29 at pre-test to 2.11 at post-test in the intervention group; however, a complete between-group pre–post statistical comparison could not be reconstructed from the available records, so this finding was interpreted descriptively. Overall, mindfulness training was associated with improved mindfulness skills and an observed increase in the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio. Given the small sample and methodological limitations, particularly in EEG analysis, the findings are preliminary and exploratory. Larger, adequately powered multicenter randomized controlled studies with standardized EEG procedures and longer follow-up are warranted.
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BibTeX
@article{kohansal2026effects,
title = {{Effects of an eight-session mindfulness training program on mindfulness skills and the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio in psychiatric nurses: A quasi-experimental pilot study}},
author = {Mina Kohansal and Farzin Farahbod and Hamidreza Rezaee Kelidbari and Kiomars Najafi},
journal = {Iranian Journal of Burns and Wound Research},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.66224/ijbwr.2.3.73},
url = {https://doi.org/10.66224/ijbwr.2.3.73},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of an eight-session mindfulness training program on mindfulness skills and the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio in psychiatric nurses: A quasi-experimental pilot study
AU - Mina Kohansal
AU - Farzin Farahbod
AU - Hamidreza Rezaee Kelidbari
AU - Kiomars Najafi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Iranian Journal of Burns and Wound Research
DO - 10.66224/ijbwr.2.3.73
UR - https://doi.org/10.66224/ijbwr.2.3.73
AB - Psychiatric nurses experience substantial occupational stress and emotional demands, but few studies have assessed both self-reported mindfulness and electrophysiological outcomes following mindfulness training. This quasi-experimental pilot study evaluated an eight-session mindfulness training program in 20 psychiatric nurses randomly allocated to intervention and control groups (10 per group). The intervention group received eight weekly 60-minute sessions, while controls received no intervention. Mindfulness was assessed using the 39-item Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), and electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance. Post-test mindfulness scores were significantly higher in the intervention group (Pillai's Trace = 0.931, F (3,17) = 119.880, P = 0.001, partial η² = 0.933), with significant differences across all four KIMS components (all P = 0.001). Adjusted mean differences were 6.38, 4.45, 5.89, and 7.66 points for observing, describing, concentration, and acceptance, respectively. The Cz EEG theta/beta ratio increased from 1.29 at pre-test to 2.11 at post-test in the intervention group; however, a complete between-group pre–post statistical comparison could not be reconstructed from the available records, so this finding was interpreted descriptively. Overall, mindfulness training was associated with improved mindfulness skills and an observed increase in the Cz EEG theta/beta ratio. Given the small sample and methodological limitations, particularly in EEG analysis, the findings are preliminary and exploratory. Larger, adequately powered multicenter randomized controlled studies with standardized EEG procedures and longer follow-up are warranted.
SN - 3060-8414
ER -