Mindfulness-based approaches with children and adolescents: meditation vs walking

Burke, C. A. (2010). Mindfulness-based approaches with children and adolescents: A preliminary review of current research in an emergent field. Journal of child and family studies19(2), 133-44, 10.5455/jbh.20180727033842. Full text.

Extract from Abstract. We conducted a side-to-side comparison of mindfulness meditation versus mindfulness-based walking on psychological functioning.

Participants (23 young adults) completed three laboratory visits (1-week apart). Session 1 included a familiarization trial. Sessions 2 and 3 (counterbalanced) included either a 10-minute guided mindfulness session or a 10-minute mindfulness-based treadmill walk (employing mindfulness meditation techniques while walking). . . .

The psychological outcomes, assessed before and after each visit, included various cognitive (e.g., executive function), affect (e.g., perceived valence, distinct emotions, and arousal), and psychological (e.g., anxiety and fatigue) outcomes.

Both mindfulness meditation and mindfulness-based walking had similar effects on improving various cognitive, affect, and psychological parameters. Such findings demonstrate the health-enhancing effects of these brief interventions and provide individuals and health professionals with various options (based on preference) to choose from to facilitate improved psychological well-being.