Mind-Body Conditioning for Student Burnout

Overseen By Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University

Disqualifiers: Dance minor

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

40 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. It seems focused on mindfulness and stress reduction techniques, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mind-Body Conditioning Course for student burnout?

Research shows that mind-body skills courses can reduce stress and burnout in medical and nursing students, improve empathy, and enhance overall well-being. Similar courses teaching relaxation techniques have led to significant reductions in burnout and anxiety among medical students. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Mind-Body Conditioning safe for students?

The studies on Mind-Body Conditioning for students, including medical students, suggest that these programs are generally safe and focus on improving well-being and reducing stress. No specific safety concerns were reported in the evaluations of these programs. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How does the Mind-Body Conditioning Course treatment differ from other treatments for student burnout?

The Mind-Body Conditioning Course is unique because it focuses on teaching students self-care through mind-body skills, which include experiential exercises and small-group support, rather than relying on traditional medical treatments or medications. This approach is designed to help students manage stress and improve their well-being by integrating self-expression and mindfulness practices into their routine. ^{1 3 6 7 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) is an eight-week evidenced based program designed specifically to help participants learn practical stress reduction, burnout and resiliency building techniques. Content includes didactic instruction, community-building group discussion, mindfulness practices, and gentle yoga. Weekly themes include Willingness to Daily Practice, Mindful Sleep, Vision of Self, Supported by the Breath, Mindful Eating and Yoga, Movement Through Balance, Awareness of Sensation, Clarity and Release, and Staying Grounded and Moving Forward. An Ohio State University endorsed, ADA compliant companion smartphone app reinforces weekly content and offers a variety of individual mind-body and mediations practices. The evidence-based MIM content has been tailored to meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of student Dance majors at The Ohio State University and integrated into the Dance 2802 course content as Mind-Body Conditioning for second year students. Over the course of the second year student's fall semester, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of this integrated course content on students' perceived stress, burnout, resilience, musculoskeletal injury and discomfort, and weekly respiratory rates. After the semester long course is completed, the students will also assess how well the Mind-Body Conditioning course content was integrated into the required first year seminar for University Dance majors.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for second-year dance majors at The Ohio State University who are looking to reduce stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal injuries. It aims to improve resilience through a Mind-Body Conditioning course integrated into their curriculum.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a third-year OSU Dance major who completed Dance 2802 in the 2024-2025 academic year.

Access to personal smartphone, either iOS or Android, with sufficient memory to install the Mindfulness in Motion smartphone app, and WiFi (OSU eduroam while in class or on campus and LTE or personal WiFi off campus)

Ability to understand and read English

Exclusion Criteria

OSU student with a minor in Dance

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Mind-Body Conditioning Course

Participants engage in an eight-week Mindfulness in Motion program integrated into the Dance 2802 course, focusing on stress reduction, burnout, and resilience building techniques.

8 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in perceived stress, burnout, resilience, and musculoskeletal discomfort after the intervention.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Mind-Body Conditioning Course

Trial Overview The study tests an eight-week Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) program tailored for dancers. It includes mindfulness practices, gentle yoga, and uses an app for reinforcement. The effectiveness on stress, burnout, injury rates, and respiratory rates will be evaluated.

Participant Groups

Group I: Second Year Dance majors Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Second year Dance majors at The Ohio State University who are enrolled in the required Dance 2802 Seminar/Mind-Body Conditioning course

Group II: Third Year Dance majors Active Control 1 Intervention

The Third Year Dance majors completed Dance 2802 the previous year and did not receive the Mind-Body Conditioning course

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Findings from Research

A pilot Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was explored at a university, revealing that students face high levels of stress due to workload and a culture of perfectionism.

Participants reported that MBSR helped them gain perspective on their stressors and provided effective techniques for managing stress, suggesting that such programs could enhance student well-being and create a more supportive learning environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

There Is No Performance, There Is Just This Moment: The Role of Mindfulness Instruction in Promoting Health and Well-Being Among Students at a Highly-Ranked University in the United States. Kerrigan, D., Chau, V., King, M., et al.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-care strategies for medical students: an uncontrolled mixed-methods evaluation of a mind-body-medicine group course. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term benefits by a mind-body medicine skills course on perceived stress and empathy among medical and nursing students. [2022]

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

Impact of a University-Wide Interdisciplinary Mind-Body Skills Program on Student Mental and Emotional Well-Being. [2022]

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

Strategies against burnout and anxiety in medical education--implementation and evaluation of a new course on relaxation techniques (Relacs) for medical students. [2022]

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

Mindfulness Training for Health Profession Students-The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Psychological Well-Being, Learning and Clinical Performance of Health Professional Students: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Non-randomized Controlled Trials. [2022]

6. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Study Examining Biofeedback and Structured Napping to Promote Medical Student Wellbeing. [2023]

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

An adapted, four-week mind-body skills group for medical students: reducing stress, increasing mindfulness, and enhancing self-care. [2022]

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

There Is No Performance, There Is Just This Moment: The Role of Mindfulness Instruction in Promoting Health and Well-Being Among Students at a Highly-Ranked University in the United States. [2019]

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

Implementing a Mind-Body Skills Group in Psychiatric Residency Training. [2023]