Evaluating the Impact of Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy on Burnout Syndrome Among University Students.
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrollment
- 55
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Burnout Score
Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a mindfulness-based physical therapy intervention can reduce burnout syndrome and improve musculoskeletal pain and quality of life among undergraduate Allied Health Sciences students aged 18-30 years who are experiencing burnout symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and reduced quality of life.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program reduce burnout symptoms compared to standard physical therapy alone?
- Does MBPT improve musculoskeletal pain and quality of life compared to standard physical therapy alone?
Researchers will compare a Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy intervention group to a control group receiving a standardized physical therapy program to determine whether the addition of mindfulness techniques results in greater improvements in burnout, pain, and quality of life.
Participants will:
- Be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.
- Attend supervised 60-minute sessions three times per week for six weeks (total of 18 sessions).
- Receive a standardized baseline physical therapy program consisting of full-body active range of motion and general mobility exercises within pain-free limits.
- If assigned to the intervention group, receive structured mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, posture correction, stretching, progressive muscle relaxation, and group reflection during each session.
- Complete 10-15 minutes of daily home mindfulness practice (intervention group only).
- Complete validated questionnaires at baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention.
Detailed Description
Burnout and musculoskeletal pain are common issues affecting university students, often resulting from prolonged stress, poor posture, and high academic demands. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress, enhance resilience, and improve mental well-being. Physical therapy interventions, including exercise and rehabilitative techniques, target musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations. Combining mindfulness with physical therapy may provide a holistic, non-invasive approach to improving both mental and physical health in students.
This study evaluates the impact of a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program on burnout syndrome, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life among undergraduate Allied Health Sciences students aged 18-30 years. Participants will engage in a six-week program supervised by trained professionals, incorporating mindfulness exercises, stretching, posture correction, progressive muscle relaxation, and home practice. The control group will receive standard physical therapy, allowing the study to assess the additional benefits of the mindfulness component.
The findings of this trial may provide evidence for a low-cost, integrative intervention that universities can implement to support student health and wellness. If effective, MBPT could serve as a model for combined mind-body programs, helping to reduce burnout, improve functional capacity, and enhance quality of life, potentially contributing to better academic performance and long-term health outcomes. This research addresses a gap in the literature on combined mindfulness and physical therapy interventions for university populations and may inform the development of future student wellness initiatives.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
Assessor Blinded RCT
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 30 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •University Students aged 18-30 years enrolled in an undergraduate Allied Health Sciences program.
- •Reporting burnout symptoms as assessed by the School Burnout Inventory (SBI).
- •Having musculoskeletal pain in at least one body region during the past 7 days or past 12 months (Assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire).
- •Having decline in the quality of life in at least one domain (physical, psychological, social, or environmental) (Assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire).
Exclusion Criteria
- •Current diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder or taking any medicine.
- •Current participation in another mindfulness, yoga or meditation intervention.
- •Musculoskeletal injury requiring surgical or medical care.
- •Student who has had major life upheavals recently, such as a family member loss.
Arms & Interventions
Standard Physical Therapy (Control Group)
The control group will receive a standardized baseline physical therapy program consisting of supervised full-body active range of motion exercises and general mobility exercises (shoulder rolls, arm swings, and pelvic tilts) throughout the study duration. All exercises will be performed within pain-free limit
Intervention: Standard Physical Therapy (Behavioral)
Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT)
The intervention group will undergo a standardized baseline physical therapy program followed by a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program delivered over six consecutive weeks, three supervised 60-minute sessions per week, under the guidance of a registered physical therapist. Participants will also be instructed to perform daily home practice for 10-15 minutes.
Intervention: Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Burnout Score
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
The primary outcome is the change in student burnout, measured with the School Burnout Inventory (SBI), which evaluates three domains: exhaustion related to study demands, cynicism toward academic work, and sense of inadequacy as a student. Higher scores indicate greater burnout. The study will assess the mean subscale scores at baseline and Week 6. A decrease in scores indicates a reduction in burnout symptoms following the intervention.
Secondary Outcomes
- Reduction in Musculoskeletal Pain(Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention))
- Improvement in Quality of Life(Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention))
Investigators
Fansub Choudhary
Dr. Fansub Choudhary
University of Health Sciences Lahore