Mind-Body Medicine Training for Incarcerated Men and Women

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Mind-Body Medicine

Background:

• Mind-body programs and peer-led yoga show benefits for incarcerated populations.
• No studies have evaluated comprehensive self-care programs combining diverse techniques with group support for prisoners.
• This study addresses the gap by evaluating a novel training program for incarcerated individuals in the U.S.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of an 8-day mind-body medicine training program on incarcerated individuals.
• To assess the program's impact on psychological well-being and coping skills.
• To determine if participants could teach learned skills to peers.

Main Methods:

• 38 incarcerated men and women participated in an 8-day training; 31 completed it.
• Techniques included breathing exercises, meditation, autogenics, biofeedback, guided imagery, mindful eating, and creative self-expression.
• Outcomes measured resilience, depression, anxiety, stress, coping self-efficacy, optimism, meaning, and purpose in life pre-training, post-training, and at 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in resilience, depression, anxiety, stress, coping self-efficacy, optimism, meaning, and purpose in life post-training.
• These improvements were sustained at the 6-month follow-up.
• Soft belly breathing, meditation, and mindful eating were the most frequently practiced skills.

Conclusions:

• The mind-body training equipped participants with lasting skills, positively impacting their well-being.
• Participants were trained to share these self-care techniques with their incarcerated peers.
• Findings suggest this mind-body medicine program could benefit individuals in other correctional settings.