The Impact of 8 Weeks of a Digital Meditation Application on Work Stress

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms
• Interventions: Behavioral: Meditation

• Registration Number: NCT03527303
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample UCSF employees who report mild to moderate stress. We will randomize UCSF employees to either 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application Headspace) or a waitlist control condition.

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample UCSF employees who report moderate to high stress. We will randomize UCSF employees to either 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application Headspace) or a waitlist control condition.

Participants assigned to the intervention group will be asked to download and use the Headspace mobile application for at least 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks. All study participants will be asked to fill out short (no longer than 25 minutes) questionnaires at baseline, week 4, week 8 (post intervention), and a 4-month follow up period. Among participants who are randomized to the digital meditation intervention, they will also take part in a 1-year follow up. All activities will take place online (via computer or smartphone).

Prior to randomization, participants will go through an eligibility screening and complete the baseline questionnaire battery. The entirety of the study is digital and there are no in-person assessments. Adherence will be tracked remotely. The goal is to recruit as many as 2000 participants (1000 per condition).

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-04-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-05-15
• Study Start: 2018-05-16
• Study First Posted: 2018-05-17
• Primary Completion: 2019-12-05
• Study Completion: 2020-09-22
• Status Verified: 2020-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-11-17
• Last Update Posted: 2020-11-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1458

Inclusion Criteria

You may join if you:

• Have access to a smartphone or computer every day
• Are fluent in English
• Are a UCSF employee
• Report mild to moderate levels of stress
• Consent: demonstrate understanding of the study and willingness to participate as evidenced by voluntary informed consent and has received a signed and dated copy of the informed consent
• Are at least 18 years of age

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Exclusion Criteria

• You may not join if you are an experienced meditator or have participated in a formal meditation practice in the last 3 months (defined as 3 times per week or more for 10 minutes or more at each practice)

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Meditation Group	Meditation	Participants in the intervention group will assigned to a digitally-based meditation intervention (Headspace app- Basics + Stress packs) and asked to use this for at least 10 minutes a day over the course of 8 weeks

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in perceived stress score, as determined by the total score on the Perceived Stress Scale	Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks	The Perceived Stress Scale has a total score scale range of 0 to 40, with higher values indicating more perceived stress

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in job strain, as determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale	Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks	The job strain measure is a comprised of two sub scales, effort (5 items) and reward (11 items), each ranging from 1 to 4. The job strain score is calculated as the ratio of demand to reward, with a higher ratio reflecting more job strain.
Change in job overcommitment, as as determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale	Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks	The job overcommitment subscale of the Siegrist Job Strain Scale is comprised of 4 items providing a total score range from 4 to16. A higher total score reflects more job overcommitment.
Change in subjective mindfulness, as determined by total score on Mindful Attention Awareness Scale	Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks	The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale is a 15-item measure with each item ranging from a score of 1 to 6. To score the scale, we compute the average score across items, with a higher score reflecting higher levels of mindfulness.
Change in burnout, as determined by the Bergen Burnout Inventory	Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks	The Bergen Burnout Inventory is comprised of 9 items, ranging from 1 to 6. The total score range is from 9 to 54 with a higher score reflecting higher burnout.
Change in work engagement, as determined by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale	Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks	The Utrecht Work Engagement scale is comprised of 9 items, with a total score ranging from 0 to 54, with higher scores indicating more work engagement.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of California, San Francisco; 🇺🇸 San Francisco, California, United States