Mindfulness Training for Stress Reduction

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Dartmouth College Media and Health Behaviors Lab

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Trustees of Dartmouth College

Disqualifiers: Non-undergraduate students, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Biology Course with Integrated Mindfulness for stress reduction?

Research shows that mindfulness-based stress reduction training can reduce stress and anxiety in healthcare students and improve well-being in cancer patients. Additionally, mindfulness interventions have been found to decrease stress symptoms and enhance well-being in medical students, with benefits lasting for months or years. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is mindfulness training generally safe for humans?

Mindfulness training is generally considered safe, but some studies have reported possible side effects, mainly related to mental health, such as increased anxiety or emotional distress. It's important for participants to be screened properly to minimize risks. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the Biology Course with Integrated Mindfulness treatment differ from other stress reduction treatments?

The Biology Course with Integrated Mindfulness treatment is unique because it combines mindfulness training with a biology course, offering a structured educational approach to stress reduction. This integration of mindfulness into an academic setting is different from traditional mindfulness programs, which typically focus solely on meditation and stress management techniques. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This proposed study aims to evaluate whether integrating mindfulness into an undergraduate biology course (Mindful Physiology) influences student applied mindfulness and stress regulation. The primary questions are 1. Would completing the Mindful Physiology course increase applied mindfulness? 2. Would completing the course increase self-efficacy in stress regulation? 3. Would completing the course reduce perceived reactivity to acute stressors?

Research Team

Diane Gilbert-Diamond, ScD

Principal Investigator

Dartmouth College

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for current Dartmouth students who chose the Biology 3: Mindful Physiology course during the Spring term of 2024. Students who were waitlisted after attempting to register are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Current Dartmouth student who selected Biology 3: Mindful Physiology during 2024 Spring term course enrollment period.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants complete a 10-week biology course with integrated mindfulness practice

10 weeks

Weekly course sessions

Stress Test

Participants undergo the Trier Social Stress Test to assess reactivity to an acute social stressor

1-2 weeks

1 in-person lab visit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in applied mindfulness and stress regulation self-efficacy

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Biology Course with Integrated Mindfulness

Trial Overview The study tests if adding mindfulness practice into a college biology course can improve student mindfulness, reduce stress, foster positive academic emotions, and enhance health outcomes compared to waitlisted students.

Participant Groups

Group I: Biology 3 students Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm consists of students enrolled in the Mindful Physiology course (Biology 3) at Dartmouth College during the Spring 2025 term who will have access to the course offerings and usual university wellness resources.

Group II: Biology 3 waitlisted students Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm consists of students waitlisted for the Biology 3 course during the Spring 2025 term. They will receive university wellness resources as usual. These include access to wellness counselors, mental health advisors, and psychiatrists at the university's counseling center, wellness advising at the student wellness center, and campus-wide wellness programs, such as weekly group yoga and meditation sessions and a free subscription to the Headspace app. On-campus mindfulness retreats will also be advertised and accessible to the control group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Trustees of Dartmouth College

Lead Sponsor

Trials

32

Recruited

14,500+

Dartmouth College

Collaborator

Trials

93

Recruited

1,415,000+

Findings from Research

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) significantly decreased anxiety levels in healthcare graduate students after 8 weeks of training, with improvements maintained at 3 weeks post-course.

MBSR also increased empathy among students at the end of the program, although this effect did not persist at the 3-week follow-up, and no significant changes in burnout were observed between the intervention and control groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction training is associated with greater empathy and reduced anxiety for graduate healthcare students. Barbosa, P., Raymond, G., Zlotnick, C., et al.[2013]

Mindfulness-based stress reduction training significantly improved quality of life and reduced physical symptoms in 47 cancer patients, with benefits observed immediately after training and even stronger effects reported one year later.

Participants experienced decreased mood disturbances, such as depression and anger, indicating that mindfulness training can help cancer patients manage stress and enhance their overall well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction training for oncology patients: patients' appraisal and changes in well-being. Kieviet-Stijnen, A., Visser, A., Garssen, B., et al.[2008]

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to improve mental health in 11 studies compared to waitlist controls or treatment as usual, demonstrating its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) effectively reduces the risk of depressive relapse, showing similar efficacy to treatment as usual in two studies, indicating its potential as a preventive measure for depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Fjorback, LO., Arendt, M., Ornbøl, E., et al.[2022]

Mindfulness meditation (MM) can have side effects, particularly related to mental health, physical health, and spiritual well-being, highlighting the need for safety considerations in research.

The paper provides practical tools for researchers, including screening procedures to assess participant contraindications and guidelines for MM training, based on a review of 17 primary studies and 5 secondary reports on meditation side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation research: issues of participant screening, safety procedures, and researcher training. Lustyk, MK., Chawla, N., Nolan, RS., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 144 patients with bipolar disorder undergoing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), adverse effects (AEs) were reported by 29 patients, with most occurring within the first three weeks and decreasing thereafter.

Despite the occurrence of AEs, most patients viewed them as part of a therapeutic process rather than harmful, indicating that while AEs are present, they are generally not serious and can be perceived positively in the context of treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse or therapeutic? A mixed-methods study investigating adverse effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in bipolar disorder. Hanssen, I., Scheepbouwer, V., Huijbers, M., et al.[2021]

A brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program significantly improved nursing students' attitudes towards medical errors and reduced the number of medical errors made in a simulation environment, based on a study of 78 third-year nursing students.

While the program enhanced awareness of medical errors, it did not significantly affect self-confidence or satisfaction levels among the students.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program on strengthening awareness of medical errors and risks among nursing students. Tarhan, M., Elibol, E.[2023]

In a 21-day mindfulness-based intervention with 82 participants, 87% reported at least one momentary adverse effect during meditation, primarily anxiety, indicating that mindfulness practice can sometimes lead to temporary increases in anxiety.

Despite these momentary effects, 25% of participants experienced sustained adverse effects in daily life after the intervention, but these were not linked to the momentary effects during meditation, suggesting that increased awareness of internal states may contribute to these post-intervention challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

First, do no harm: An intensive experience sampling study of adverse effects to mindfulness training. Aizik-Reebs, A., Shoham, A., Bernstein, A.[2021]

A classroom-based mindfulness intervention (MBI) over eight weeks significantly improved self-compassion and coping self-efficacy in 61 college students, particularly in areas like common humanity and emotion-focused coping.

The study suggests that integrating mindfulness practices into college courses can effectively enhance students' psychological well-being and stress management skills.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Common humanity in the classroom: Increasing self-compassion and coping self-efficacy through a mindfulness-based intervention. Taylor, SB., Kennedy, LA., Lee, CE., et al.[2022]

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses delivered online during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be feasible and acceptable, with course completion rates similar to in-person sessions (84.1% vs 67.6%).

Participants reported significant benefits from the online MBSR, including improved stress coping, quality of life, and morale, suggesting that online formats can effectively expand access to mental health resources during challenging times.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Live Online During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. Riley, TD., Roy, S., Parascando, JA., et al.[2022]

References

1. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction training is associated with greater empathy and reduced anxiety for graduate healthcare students. [2013]

2. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction training for oncology patients: patients' appraisal and changes in well-being. [2008]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. [2022]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of mindfulness-based interventions in medical students: a systematic review. [2023]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of two different mindfulness interventions among health care students in Finland: a randomised controlled trial. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation research: issues of participant screening, safety procedures, and researcher training. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse or therapeutic? A mixed-methods study investigating adverse effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in bipolar disorder. [2021]

8. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program on strengthening awareness of medical errors and risks among nursing students. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Integration of the Workable Range Model into a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course: a Practice-Based Case Study. [2020]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

First, do no harm: An intensive experience sampling study of adverse effects to mindfulness training. [2021]

11. Norway pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Training in mindfulness for patients with stress and chronic illness]. [2015]

12. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Mindfulness training for psychiatrists in residency: a pilot study]. [2018]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Mindfulness Program Addressing Sleep Quality and Stress: Transition to a Telehealth Format for Higher Education Students During COVID-19. [2022]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Common humanity in the classroom: Increasing self-compassion and coping self-efficacy through a mindfulness-based intervention. [2022]

15. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Live Online During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. [2022]