Top

Gepubliceerd in:

13-12-2024 | COMMENTARY

Expanding the Reach of Mindfulness: A Mechanistic Approach and AI Applications

Auteur: Kean Sian Tan

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 3/2025

Abstract

In response to Oman’s “Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda” call for greater integration of mindfulness into global public health, this commentary proposes three complementary approaches: examining core psychological mechanisms of mindfulness, understanding its developmental progression, and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance accessibility. The commentary reviews some contemporary theoretical models of mindfulness to identify fundamental psychological mechanisms. Analysis included examination of mindfulness developmental progression (skill to state to trait) and exploration of artificial intelligence applications, specifically large language models (LLMs), in enhancing intervention delivery and accessibility. The identified psychological mechanisms—attention regulation and non-judgemental acceptance—represent fundamental psychological processes that transcend cultural differences, addressing Oman’s concerns about epidemiologic foundations (Axis A6) and cultural adaptability (Axis A10). Analysis of developmental progression revealed how mindfulness evolves from learned skill to psychological trait, informing implementation strategies. Analysis of LLM applications demonstrated potential for addressing equity concerns (Axis A9) through increasing accessibility among underserved populations while enabling culturally responsive adaptations. By examining mindfulness through its core psychological mechanisms, developmental progression, and AI-enabled delivery approaches, this commentary provides perspectives to address some challenges of global implementation identified by Oman. The mechanistic approach strengthens empirical foundations of mindfulness while supporting cultural adaptability, and emerging AI technologies present unprecedented opportunities to increase accessibility. However, realising this potential requires careful attention to ethical considerations and continued empirical validation of AI-supported mindfulness interventions.

vorige artikel What Mindfulness, and for Whom? And Why Might it Work?

volgende artikel Decentering Mindfulness: Toward Greater Meditative Diversity in Global Public Health

Adams, C. E., Chen, M., Guo, L., Lam, C. Y., Stewart, D. W., Correa-Fernández, V., Cano, M. A., Heppner, W. L., Vidrine, J. I., Li, Y., Ahluwalia, J. S., Cinciripini, P. M., & Wetter, D. W. (2014). Mindfulness predicts lower affective volatility among African Americans during smoking cessation. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors: Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 28(2), 580–585. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036512

Anić, Z. (2022). Mechanisms and mechanistic reasoning in medicine [Doctoral dissertation, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Philosophy]. Retrieved October 20, 2024, from https://ffri.uniri.hr/files/vijesti/2021-2022/Doktorska_disertacija-Z_Anic.pdf

Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg015CrossRef

Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191105283504CrossRefPubMed

Baminiwatta, A., & Solangaarachchi, I. (2021). Trends and developments in mindfulness research over 55 years: A bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in Web of Science. Mindfulness, 12(9), 2099–2116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01681-xCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Banerjee, S., Dunn, P., Conard, S., & Ali, A. (2024). Mental health applications of generative AI and large language modeling in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(7), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070910CrossRef

Bednar, K., Voracek, M., & Tran, U. S. (2020). Common factors underlying the five facets of mindfulness and proposed mechanisms: A psychometric study among meditators and non-meditators. Mindfulness, 11(12), 2804–2817. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01492-6CrossRef

Bhambhani, Y., & Gallo, L. (2022). Developing and adapting a mindfulness-based group intervention for racially and economically marginalized patients in the Bronx. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(4), 771–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.04.010CrossRef

Billot, M., Chalmers, R. A., Cervin, M., Sutton, A., Reid, V. M., Singh, N. N., & Medvedev, O. N. (2023). Network analysis reveals unique associations of mindfulness and distress with immunity in Māori and non-Māori New Zealanders. Mindfulness, 14(9), 2211–2223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02211-7CrossRef

Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., Segal, Z. V., Abbey, S., Speca, M., Velting, D., & Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph077CrossRef

Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822–848. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822CrossRefPubMed

Brown, K. W., Ryan, R. M., & Creswell, J. D. (2007). Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry, 18(4), 211–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/10478400701598298CrossRef

Burzler, M. A., Voracek, M., Hos, M., & Tran, U. S. (2019). Mechanisms of mindfulness in the general population. Mindfulness, 10(3), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-0988-yCrossRef

Campaner, R. (2011). Understanding mechanisms in the health sciences. Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics, 32(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11017-010-9166-5CrossRefPubMed

Carbonell, Á., Navarro-Pérez, J.-J., & Mestre, M.-V. (2020). Challenges and barriers in mental healthcare systems and their impact on the family: A systematic integrative review. Health & Social Care in the Community, 28(5), 1366–1379. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12968CrossRef

Cardaciotto, L., Herbert, J., Forman, E., Moitra, E., & Farrow, V. (2008). The assessment of present-moment awareness and acceptance: The Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale. Assessment, 15, 204–223. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191107311467CrossRefPubMed

Chiesa, A., Anselmi, R., & Serretti, A. (2014). Psychological mechanisms of mindfulness-based interventions: What do we know? Holistic Nursing Practice, 28(2), 124–148. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000017CrossRefPubMed

Chin, B., Lindsay, E. K., Greco, C. M., Brown, K. W., Smyth, J. M., Wright, A. G. C., & Creswell, J. D. (2019). Psychological mechanisms driving stress resilience in mindfulness training: A randomized controlled trial. Health Psychology, 38(8), 759–768. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000763CrossRefPubMed

Crane, R. S., Brewer, J., Feldman, C., Kabat-Zinn, J., Santorelli, S., Williams, J. M. G., & Kuyken, W. (2017). What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft. Psychological Medicine, 47(6), 990–999. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291716003317CrossRefPubMed

Dalgleish, T., Black, M., Johnston, D., & Bevan, A. (2020). Transdiagnostic approaches to mental health problems: Current status and future directions. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(3), 179–195. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000482CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Fish, J., Brimson, J., & Lynch, S. (2016). Mindfulness interventions delivered by technology without facilitator involvement: What research exists and what are the clinical outcomes? Mindfulness, 7(5), 1011–1023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0548-2CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Foale, S., Botma, Y., & Heyns, T. (2024). Mindfulness-based interventions to support wellbeing of adults in low socio-economic settings: A realist review. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04263-7CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Glennan, S., Illari, P., & Weber, E. (2022). Six theses on mechanisms and mechanistic science. Journal for General Philosophy of Science, 53(2), 143–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-021-09587-xCrossRef

Gull, D. (2023). My tech-enabled meditation journey. Retrieved October 20, 2024, from https://medium.com/vital-ai/my-tech-enabled-meditation-journey-a0924f15179d

Guo, Z., Lai, A., Thygesen, J. H., Farrington, J., Keen, T., & Li, K. (2024). Large language models for mental health applications: Systematic review. JMIR Mental Health, 11(1), e57400. https://doi.org/10.2196/57400CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Hölzel, B. K., Lazar, S. W., Gard, T., Schuman-Olivier, Z., Vago, D. R., & Ott, U. (2011). How does mindfulness meditation work? Proposing mechanisms of action from a conceptual and neural perspective. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(6), 537–559. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691611419671CrossRefPubMed

Howick, J., Glasziou, P., & Aronson, J. K. (2010). Evidence-based mechanistic reasoning. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 103(11), 433–441. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2010.100146CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016CrossRef

Ke, L., Tong, S., Cheng, P., & Peng, K. (2024). Exploring the frontiers of LLMs in psychological applications: A comprehensive review. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2401.01519

Kiken, L. G., Garland, E. L., Bluth, K., Palsson, O. S., & Gaylord, S. A. (2015). From a state to a trait: Trajectories of state mindfulness in meditation during intervention predict changes in trait mindfulness. Personality and Individual Differences, 81, 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.044CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Koenig, H. G. (2023). Person-centered mindfulness: A culturally and spiritually sensitive approach to clinical practice. Journal of Religion and Health, 62(3), 1884–1896. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01768-wCrossRefPubMed

Kulshrestha, V., & Shahid, S. M. (2022). Barriers and drivers in mental health services in New Zealand: Current status and future direction. Global Health Promotion, 29(4), 83–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579759221099312CrossRef

Kumar, H., Wang, Y., Shi, J., Musabirov, I., Farb, N. A. S., & Williams, J. J. (2023). Exploring the use of large language models for improving the awareness of mindfulness. Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544549.3585614

Kushman, M. E., Kraft, A. D., Guyton, K. Z., Chiu, W. A., Makris, S. L., & Rusyn, I. (2013). A systematic approach for identifying and presenting mechanistic evidence in human health assessments. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 67(2), 266–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2013.08.005CrossRefPubMed

Lessler, J., Azman, A. S., Grabowski, M. K., Salje, H., & Rodriguez-Barraquer, I. (2016). Trends in the mechanistic and dynamic modeling of infectious diseases. Current Epidemiology Reports, 3(3), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-016-0078-4CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Lindsay, E. K., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and acceptance theory (MAT). Clinical Psychology Review, 51, 48–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.011CrossRefPubMed

Maddock, A., & Blair, C. (2023). How do mindfulness-based programmes improve anxiety, depression and psychological distress? A systematic review. Current Psychology, 42, 10200–10222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02082-y

Maloney, S., Kock, M., Slaghekke, Y., Radley, L., Lopez-Montoyo, A., Montero-Marin, J., & Kuyken, W. (2024). Target mechanisms of mindfulness-based programmes and practices: A scoping review. BMJ Mental Health, 27, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300955

Marchionni, C., & Reijula, S. (2019). What is mechanistic evidence, and why do we need it for evidence-based policy? Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, 73, 54–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2018.08.003CrossRef

Medvedev, O. N., Siegert, R. J., Feng, X. J., Billington, D. R., Jang, J. Y., & Krägeloh, C. U. (2016). Measuring trait mindfulness: How to improve the precision of the mindful attention awareness scale using a Rasch model. Mindfulness, 7(2), 384–395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0454-zCrossRef

Miłkowski, M., Hohol, M., & Nowakowski, P. (2019). Mechanisms in psychology: The road towards unity? Theory & Psychology, 29(5), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354319875218CrossRef

Naveed, H., Khan, A. U., Qiu, S., Saqib, M., Anwar, S., Usman, M., Akhtar, N., Barnes, N., & Mian, A. (2024). A comprehensive overview of large language models. ArXiv. Retrieved October 20, 2024, from http://arxiv.org/abs/2307.06435

Oman, D. (2023). Mindfulness for global public health: Critical analysis and agenda. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02089-5

Parmentier, F. B. R., García-Toro, M., García-Campayo, J., Yañez, A. M., Andrés, P., & Gili, M. (2019). Mindfulness and symptoms of depression and anxiety in the general population: The mediating roles of worry, rumination, reappraisal and suppression. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 506. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00506CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Patil, S., Oo, T., & Knight, H. (2024). Exploring the utilities of LLM’s in robot-supported mindfulness practices. In Companion of the 2024 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.15692.01921

Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E., Astin, J. A., & Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 373–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20237CrossRefPubMed

Shonin, E., & Van Gordon, W. (2016). The mechanisms of mindfulness in the treatment of mental illness and addiction. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 14(5), 844–849. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9653-7CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Spears, C. A. (2018). Mindfulness-based interventions for addictions among diverse and underserved populations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 30, 11–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.12.012CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Sun, S., Goldberg, S. B., Loucks, E. B., & Brewer, J. A. (2021). Mindfulness-based interventions among people of color: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychotherapy Research: Journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, 32(3), 277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2021.1937369CrossRefPubMed

Szanton, S. L., Wenzel, J., Connolly, A. B., & Piferi, R. L. (2011). Examining mindfulness-based stress reduction: Perceptions from minority older adults residing in a low-income housing facility. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-44CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Tang, Y.-Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(4), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916CrossRefPubMed

Tang, Y.-Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2016). Traits and states in mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 17(1), 59–59. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2015.7CrossRefPubMed

Thomas, J. G., & Sharp, P. B. (2019). Mechanistic science: A new approach to comprehensive psychopathology research that relates psychological and biological Phenomena. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(2), 196–215. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702618810223CrossRef

Vago, D. R., & Silbersweig, D. A. (2012). Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): A framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 6, 296. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00296

Van Gordon, W., & Shonin, E. (2020). Second-generation mindfulness-based interventions: Toward more authentic mindfulness practice and teaching. Mindfulness, 11(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01252-1CrossRef

Williams, T., Lynch, E., Jones, P., Bass, J., Harrison, R., Williams, T., Lynch, E., Jones, P., Bass, J., & Harrison, R. (2022). Mindfulness-based stress reduction as a culturally relevant treatment for racial or ethnic minorities. In Counseling and Therapy—Recent Developments in Theories and Practices. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103911

Titel: Expanding the Reach of Mindfulness: A Mechanistic Approach and AI Applications
Auteur: Kean Sian Tan
Publicatiedatum: 13-12-2024
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 3/2025
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02486-4

Andere artikelen Uitgave 3/2025

From Clinic to Community: A Public Health Approach to Mindfulness

Editorial

Christian Mindfulness and Global Public Health: A Commentary and Agenda

COMMENTARY

Mind the Echo Chamber: Mindfulness as a Contemplative Practice That can Contribute to Public Health

Open Access
COMMENTARY

Being in the Present Moment: Toward an Epidemiology of Mindfulness

COMMENTARY

Cultivating Global Health: Exploring Mindfulness Through an Organisational Psychology Lens

Open Access
COMMENTARY

Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda

Open Access
ORIGINAL PAPER

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij Scalda & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

Expanding the Reach of Mindfulness: A Mechanistic Approach and AI Applications

Abstract

Andere artikelen Uitgave 3/2025

From Clinic to Community: A Public Health Approach to Mindfulness

Christian Mindfulness and Global Public Health: A Commentary and Agenda

Mind the Echo Chamber: Mindfulness as a Contemplative Practice That can Contribute to Public Health

Being in the Present Moment: Toward an Epidemiology of Mindfulness

Cultivating Global Health: Exploring Mindfulness Through an Organisational Psychology Lens

Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij Scalda & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

Abstract

Log in om toegang te krijgen

From Clinic to Community: A Public Health Approach to Mindfulness

Christian Mindfulness and Global Public Health: A Commentary and Agenda

Mind the Echo Chamber: Mindfulness as a Contemplative Practice That can Contribute to Public Health

Being in the Present Moment: Toward an Epidemiology of Mindfulness

Cultivating Global Health: Exploring Mindfulness Through an Organisational Psychology Lens

Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda