Research Article

Potential Impacts of Heartfulness Relaxation on Interpreting Performance: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Liqun Wu Department of English, University of Macau, Macau, China

Abstract

This mixed-methods pilot study investigates the effects of a brief seven-minute heartfulness relaxation intervention on interpreting students’ cognitive performance, perceived stress, and consecutive interpreting skills. Seven participants completed pre- and post-intervention measures, including the Stroop test, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and consecutive interpreting tasks. Qualitative data were collected through participant interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The quantitative results revealed significant improvements in executive function (p<.001), perceived stress (p=.078), and Chinese to English and English to Chinese consecutive interpreting (p=.028) following the intervention. The qualitative findings indicated predominantly positive effects on interpreting performance, concentration, and focus, with mixed responses regarding relaxation, environmental factors, and effect sustainability. The convergence of the qualitative themes and quantitative improvements suggested that the heartfulness relaxation intervention enhanced the participants’ cognitive function, reduced fatigue, and optimized essential skills. These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating a brief relaxation practice into interpreter training and professional development. Limitations and future research directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for larger controlled trials to confirm the generalizability and long-term effects of the intervention. Overall, this pilot study provides a foundation for further investigations into the application of the brief heartfulness relaxation technique in the interpreting field.

Article information

Journal

International Journal of Translation and Interpretation Studies

Volume (Issue)

4 (3)

Pages

34-45

Published

2024-08-19

How to Cite

Wu, L. (2024). Potential Impacts of Heartfulness Relaxation on Interpreting Performance: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Translation and Interpretation Studies, 4(3), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijtis.2024.4.3.5

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