Effectiveness of a Multimodal Mindfulness Program to Alleviate Graduate Student Stress

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: The purpose of this pilot study is to develop and assess a multimodal mindfulness activity program for physical and occupational therapy students intended to teach management of stressors impacting educational performance. This study will use a two group, randomized controlled design in which approximately 25 students will be randomized to an intervention group and 25 to a control group. Intervention will be implemented in an 8-week period with pre- and post-study measures administered at 1-week prior to and 1-week following intervention.

Detailed Description: College students have reported increasing stress levels in the last 5 years with 1 in 6 students experiencing anxiety levels that adversely impact school function. This study's intervention uses a variety of media and both online and in-person delivery strategies. For example, students will have the opportunity to participate in yoga, Tai Chi, guided imagery meditation, creative arts, journaling, and pet therapy. Students will additionally have the opportunity to participate in activities delivered through online media and accessible at all times throughout the study. Approximately 50 occupational and physical therapy students will be recruited to participate in this study. Half will be selected by chance to participate in the 8-week program; the remaining half will be selected by chance to participate in a non-intervention group in which they do not receive the program but are still assessed at pre- and post-program to measure perceived stress levels. It is anticipated that study results will provide information to educational institutions to help students better manage stress levels.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Participants will be student volunteers in the Columbia University Physical and Occupational Therapy Programs.
Students must be in their first or second year, second semester in order to compare GPA pre- and post-intervention.

Exclusion Criteria

Students who are practiced meditators or who have prior experience with mindfulness training will be excluded from study participation, as such previous experience could bias intervention results.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Multimodal Mindfulness Activity Program	Multimodal mindfulness activity program	Students assigned to the intervention will receive 8 weeks of the mindfulness activity intervention.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Perceived Stress Scale	10 minutes	The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a 10-item, 5-point, self-report Likert scale (0 = no stress, 5 = high stress) that requires 5 minutes to complete. The scale yields a total score ranging from 0 (no stress) to 50 (highest stress) with scores 25+ indicating a possible stress disorder. The PSS measures stress level in the last month and was intended for use by community-dwelling adults.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Grade Point Average (GPA)	5 minutes	GPA will be calculated for the semester prior to and directly after study participation.
Number of Student Wellness Center Visits	5 minutes	The number of Student Wellness Center visits prior to and directly after study participation will be collected.
Student Stress Management Questionnaire	10 minutes	The Student Stress Management Questionnaire (SSMQ) is a 12-item, 5-point Likert scale (0 = no stress, 5 = high stress) that requires 5 minutes to complete. The scale yields a total score ranging from 0 (no stress) to 60 (highest stress) with scores 40+ indicating a possible stress disorder. The SSMQ measures stress level in the last month and was intended for use by college students.
Daily Log	10 minutes	The daily log is a 6-item questionnaire that allows students to record the number and length of mindfulness activities in which they participated that day. Students also report their level of stress before and after participation using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = no stress, 5 = high stress). Scores of 15+ indicate higher stress levels.