Stress Free UCR: The Impact of 8 Weeks of Headspace on Stress in a Heterogeneous University Employee Cohort

University of California (UC), Riverside

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stress, Psychological

Treatments: Behavioral: Meditation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT03695627

HS-18-031

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample of high stress UCR employees. We will randomize UCR employees to 8-weeks of either a digital mindfulness intervention (using the commercially available application Headspace) or a waitlist control condition.

Participants assigned to the intervention group will be asked to download and use the Headspace mobile application for 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks. They will be asked to fill out short (no longer than 30 minutes long) questionnaires at baseline, week 4, week 8 (post intervention), and a 4-month follow up period. Participants who are randomized to the digital meditation intervention will also take part in a 1-year follow up. All activities will take place online (via computer or smartphone), and on the participants' own time.

Full description

High levels of psychosocial work-related stress have major implications for both the employee and the employer. Epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate associations between high work stress and worse self-reported mental and physical health, including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Job strain, a combination of high demands and low control, is a common model used to define psychosocial stress at work. Job strain is associated with worse mental and physical health, including anxiety and depressive disorders and increased blood pressure.

Past studies show the value in mindfulness applications. For example, participants who completed 25 or more meditation sessions over 8 weeks also had significantly lower self-measured systolic blood pressure over the course of one day compared to the control condition participants at the follow-up time point. This trial suggests that almost daily brief mindfulness meditations delivered via smartphone can improve outcomes related to workplace stress and well-being, with potentially lasting effects.

In this study, investigators hope to determine if a stress-reduction mindfulness application is more effective than a waitlist control condition in employees who are experiencing mild to moderate levels of stress in various health and productivity-related outcomes.

Enrollment: 165 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Have access to a smartphone or computer every day
• Are fluent in English
• Are a UCR employee
• Have moderate to high levels of stress
• Consent: demonstrates understanding of the study and willingness to participate as evidenced by voluntary informed consent and has received a signed and dated copy of the informed consent
• Are at least 18 years of age

Exclusion criteria

• Experienced meditator or have participated in a formal meditation practice in the last 6 months (defined as 3-4 times or more per week)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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165 participants in 2 patient groups

Meditation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the meditation group will use a digitally-based mindfulness intervention Headspace app (Basics + Stress packs) will be used for 10 minutes a day over the course of 8 weeks

Treatment:

Behavioral: Meditation

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Control group participants will continue their normal activities and not add any form of meditation during the study period.