Methods: Three groups of nursing students, pilots and officers of the law were cognitively situated in the moment of a controlled stress induced environment where they were given seconds to critically think while being required to mitigate chaos. A paralleled control group along with two other groups participated. Initial blood draw and spit test were completed to baseline the study; then each of the three groups were immersed into the stress induced scenario; upon completion each group underwent another blood draw and spit test. At this point each group spent six weeks receiving the intervention of either biofeedback, meditation or placebo. Beyond the 6 weeks, the three groups were immersed into the stress inducing scenario again and upon completion, submitted to a spit test and blood draw.
Results: These results were compared to the baseline results in an attempt to understand if meditation and/or biofeedback actually enhanced the outcome of the groups’ performance under and within the stress induced scenario. Meditation trains the body to insulate itself within those experiences which strengthen. Biofeedback teaches us to focus on areas which comfort and control where these emotions are called upon in times of stress.
Conclusion:
It may be concluded that meditation and biofeedback can mitigate a stressful situation thereby facilitating better situational outcomes in health care, policing and nursing. Both interventions distracts the focus of the individual from increase stimuli and increased fight or flight hormones (adrenaline) to situational management of the current stressful reduction.