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A Web-Based Gentle Body Stretching to Alleviate Loneliness and Improve Mental Fitness During COVID-19 Isolation Period

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Mental Health Issue
Interventions
Behavioral: Mindfulness intervention
Behavioral: Non-Mindfulness intervention
Registration Number
NCT04394013
Lead Sponsor
Monash University Malaysia
Brief Summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are having to stay at home in quarantine to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. Depending on the number of occupants and the dwelling space available, this can lead to household crowding, which can have an effect on mental health. In addition, the closing of leisure facilities, including restaurants, cafes and, with the need to self-isolate and socially distance, has led to loneliness. The focus on "loneliness" has recently been on a rise, and being described as an epidemic, especially when it has been shown to be associated with various diseases as well as increased risk of mortality. Studies conducted on participants in isolation has shown increased mental health issues including anxiety, stress and depression.

Mindfulness intervention has been shown to alleviate mental health issues including loneliness. However, to date, there is limited studies examining the effectiveness of a remote mindfulness intervention. This proposal aims to deliver a remote mindfulness program that can be accessible by participants easily and even during the isolation period. This intervention will investigate the effectiveness and safety in elevating mental health issues faced by the general population.

Detailed Description

Loneliness, mindfulness and quality of life will be assessed as the primary outcome of the study. A mindfulness video will be used as the intervention for participants, and is compared with a group with similar video content without mindfulness component. The effect of changes in primary outcome will be assessed between groups after 2-4weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
70
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult participants
Exclusion Criteria
  • None

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Mindfulness ArmMindfulness interventionThe content of the approximately 20 minutes video is recorded in advance of the intervention by a certified teacher with teaching experience. The 20 minutes session consists of a series of body stretching exercises (around 17 different gentle and simple stretches from head to toe) with the incorporation of breathing technique (i.e. when to breathe in and breathe out). The whole body stretching exercise is performed with a sitting position, ideally on an exercise mat. As mentioned above, the participants are required to conduct the stretching exercise by following the guidance video for at least 5 days weekly for at least 2 weeks duration. The video will be uploaded onto a webpage which requires participants to log in and view the video. The webpage and video will be accessible through computers and mobile phones.
Non-mindfulness ArmNon-Mindfulness interventionIn this study, for control group, the participants are instructed with a similar video content as the intervention group, minus the incorporation of breathing technique, as breathing technique is hypothesised to be a key component of mindfulness.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Loneliness (UCLA-8 Loneliness Scale)2-4weeks

Measured using University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)-8 Loneliness Scale; Higher score indicates higher loneliness level

Mindfulness (FFMQ)2-4weeks

Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ); Higher score indicates higher mindfulness level

Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire)2-4weeks

EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire; Higher score indicates higher quality of life

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Monash University Malaysia

🇲🇾

Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

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