Effects of Sitting Meditation and Hatha Yoga in Adolescents

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Anxiety; Psychological Stress

• Registration Number: NCT02339363
• Lead Sponsor: Alliant International University

Brief Summary

The present study was a randomized controlled trial that explored the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of short-term mindfulness training among adolescents. The primary purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of two main Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction components-sitting meditation and hatha yoga-on working memory, stress, anxiety and mindfulness. The influence of daily home practice compliance on intervention outcomes was also examined.

Detailed Description

The present study was a randomized controlled trial that explored the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of short-term mindfulness training among adolescents. The primary purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of two main Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction components-sitting meditation and hatha yoga-on working memory, stress, anxiety and mindfulness. The influence of daily home practice compliance on intervention outcomes was also examined. Participants (N = 198 adolescents) were recruited from a large public middle school in southern California. Participants were randomly assigned to sitting meditation, hatha yoga, or a waitlist control group. Participants were asked to complete a computerized working memory task, and self-report measures of perceived stress, anxiety, and mindfulness at pre- and post-intervention/waitlist, as well as one-month follow-up. A series of mixed-design analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to examine changes in working memory, stress, anxiety, and mindfulness between groups at pre- and post- intervention.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-03
• Primary Completion: 2013-06
• Study Completion: 2013-07
• Status Verified: 2015-01
• Study First Submitted: 2015-01-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-01-14
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-01-14
• Study First Posted: 2015-01-15
• Last Update Posted: 2015-01-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 198

Inclusion Criteria

• Students currently enrolled in school
• Between the ages of 12 - 17 years old
• English speaking-to understand and complete the measures
• Able to attend the weekly hatha yoga or sitting meditation sessions
• Not reporting any injuries or health condition(s) that might limit their physical activity

Exclusion Criteria

• hearing impairments, injuries, or physical disabilities that would hinder them from fully participating in intervention

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Working Memory Capacity: Automated Operational Span Task (AOSPAN)	pre-intervention and post-intervention (waitlist), t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period	Participants completed the AOSPAN prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Stress: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)	pre-intervention and post-intervention (waitlist), t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period	Participants completed the PSS-10 prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.
Anxiety: Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)	pre-intervention and post-intervention, t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period	Participants completed the SCARED prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.
Mindfulness: Child Acceptance and Mindfulness Measure (CAMM)	pre-intervention and post-intervention (waitlist), t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period	Participants completed the CAMM prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.