Mindfulness Training with PMU in Salzburg

The RESONATE management team from the University of Vienna recently visited the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg to meet with the team in charge of Case Study 5. Together they […]

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The RESONATE management team from the University of Vienna recently visited the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg to meet with the team in charge of Case Study 5. Together they field-tested the nature-based mindfulness intervention for their upcoming study.

Nature-based Therapies and Metabolic Syndrome

The aim of Case Study 5 is to examine the potential causal relations between NbTs (Nature-based Therapies) and health/well-being along with biopsychosocial resilience mechanisms. Whilst other RESONATE case studies focus on the general public, or people with existing mental and/or physical conditions, CS5 focuses on at-risk populations in the form of sedentary individuals with metabolic syndrome (a combination of at least 3 of 5 risk factors: large waistline, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid levels, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar). This condition is common across Europe and associated with an increased risk of stress and allostatic load related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the randomized controlled clinical study is to find out if green exercise in combination with mindfulness training on the city mountains of Salzburg increases quality of life and decreases certain stress parameters of people affected by metabolic syndrome. The multiple-week intervention will extend existing mindfulness-in-nature practices and involve elements of movement, rest, and mindful contemplation through different sensory modalities. Whilst later sessions are supported through a mobile application that helps people navigate nature routes, the initial sessions will be led by a guide. It was one of those sessions that the Vienna and Salzburg team trialled together.

Mindfulness Training in the Mountains of Salzburg

Together the team took a short hike across Mönchsberg in Salzburg. Knowing where exactly one is, can be very important and giving participants a sense of place is crucial. Mindfulness can only occur if somebody knows where they are and the context of the location they are in. Without a sense of place, the positive effects of such an intervention might not be long-lasting. Arnulf Hartl, who knows the city and landscape very well, gave us a tour and explanation of the local terrain. He can also be seen in the top picture, pointing in the direction of the nearest hospital. This hospital is where people with metabolic syndrome might end up, if they are not able to adjust their lifestyle. This form of terror management is important, as remembering sickness and its consequences can be just as important towards personal growth, as focusing on the positive health outcomes of an intervention.

After we had reached the top of the mountain, it was time for the mindfulness intervention. Sabine Weyringer, a local therapist, guided us through the exercise in which we closed our eyes and tried to focus our mind on the present as much as possible. We felt the tips of our fingers, the wind in our hair, and the ground below our feet. Even though we could still hear cars driving past in the background, the chirping of the birds reminded us, that we were (at least temporarily) in nature. Whilst the advanced measuring tools we carried with us (such as ones that could measure microscopic particles, biological traces, and even biodiversity through a microphone and A.I.-supported bird call analysis) all indicated the high quality of our surrounding, the most important thing was, that we felt could unwind and feel like a part of nature.

Taking a break from the day-to-day stressors of the city and having a relaxing experience in nature can be very beneficial to both physical and mental health, so we can count ourselves lucky for having this nature experience baked into our job. We hope that all future participants are going to have as therapeutic of a time as we did!

Group Picture including the CS5 researchers from Paracelsus Medical University (Christina Pichler, Arnulf Hartl, & Yara Meilinger), organisational managers from the University Vienna team (Julia Egger & Addi Wala), as well as our guides and experts for the day (Sabine Weyringer, Vera Foisner, Magdalena Enzenberger, & René Zechner).