NCT05771649

Recovery Strategies Based on Mindfulness and Physical Exercise on Levels of Stress and Inmunoglobulin A

Differential Effectiveness of Two Recovery Strategies, Based on Mindfulness and Physical Exercise, on Levels of Stress, Academic Performance, and Inmunoglobulin A. A Controlled Trial. A, and Cortisol. A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The present study aims to compare the differential effects of mindfulness meditation (MBI) and physical exercise (PE) on different stress, academic performance and health variables (self-report means and biological measure of IgA levels). A controlled trial of three groups is proposed, with pretest, posttest and two follow-ups at 1 and 3 months that would be developed among the Guardia Civil (Spanish military police) non-commissioned officers and officers academies.

Detailed description

Recovery from fatigue and daily stress involves mentally disconnecting from the journal. To achieve this disconnection (or psychological detachment), research has shown that engaging in a variety of interesting and motivating activities for individuals after the day allows them to achieve this disconnected state of mind and, consequently, facilitates recovery from work. Previous research has shown that two of the most effective recovery activities are physical exercise (PE) and mindfulness meditation (MBI), although the results on the differential effects of the two are not conclusive (Karabinski et al, 2021; Steed et al., 2021; Wendsche et al., 2021). Thus, the present study aims to compare the differential effects of MBI and PE on different stress, academic performance and health variables (self-report means and biological measure of IgA salivary levels). A non-randomized controlled trial (participant chooses to take of three groups proposed) with pretest, posttest and two follow-ups at 1 and 3 months. It would be developed among the Guardia Civil (Spanish military police) non-commissioned officers and officers academies (N ≥ 150). An MBI (focused attention meditations), an aerobic PE program (running with mental association strategies) and an inactive control / waiting list (LE) condition will be contrasted. The dependent variables considered are: 1) recovery experiences; 2) perceived stress; 3) general health; 4) academic performance; 5) positive and negative affect; 7) daily states of fatigue, stress, psychological distancing, mindfulness, and sleep; 8) IgA levels in saliva. The intervention program is structured for four weeks, during which the two intervention groups will carry out their recovery strategy (MBI or PE), starting and increasing the practice 5 minutes every two weeks. The control group will continue as usual. The investigators believe that this study is a quasi-pioneering initiative because of its theme, and will have an important scientific and technical impact. The importance of the topic addressed in terms of health and academic performance is associated with important contributions in terms of knowledge transfer to the educational field and society in general.

Conditions

• Mental Health Wellness

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-based intervention	A mindfulness instructor will guide focused attention meditations that will last from 15 to 30 minutes. Participants will be instructed at the beginning of the intervention and will have audio files to guide the exercises during their practice.
BEHAVIORAL	Physical exercise	An instructor will guide to running with mental association strategies that will last from 15 to 30 minutes. Participants will be instructed at the beginning of the intervention and will have audio files to guide the exercises during their practice.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-06
• Primary completion: 2023-03-30
• Completion: 2023-06-30
• First posted: 2023-03-16
• Last updated: 2024-01-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain