Stress Free UC Merced: The Effect of 8 Weeks of Mindfulness App Headspace on Stress in a Sample of University Employees

Status unconfirmed · Phase 3

Conditions studied: Stress, Psychological Distress

In brief

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the app-based mindfulness intervention (i.e., the commercially available application Headspace) on overall physical and psychological health. Secondly, this study examines potential mindfulness mechanisms that may be driving these effects (i.e., decentering, attention regulation, acceptance, self-compassion, reactivity, exposure). This study will randomize UC Merced employees to 8-weeks of either a digital mindfulness intervention (Headspace) or a waitlist control condition. Participants assigned to the intervention group will be asked to download and use the Headspace mobile application for 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks. They will be asked to fill out questionnaires at baseline, week 4, week 8 (post intervention), 4-month, and 12-month follow up period (20-30 minutes each time). In addition, participants will be asked to complete surveys on their phone as a part of everyday life assessments (4 days per week during baseline, 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 8 weeks, up to 5-10 minutes a day). Participants will also wear a fitness watch, Fitbit, to assess their activity, sleep, and heart rate data. For the everyday life assessment part, participants will be asked to participate in one of our 60 minutes orientation sessions where you will receive training on using the mobile app and receive a fitness watch that will be collected upon the completion of the study.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03652168

Run by

University of California, Merced

People needed

200

Starts

2018-09-01

Expected to finish

2020-08-31

Last updated by the study team

2018-08-29

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Have access to a smartphone or computer with internet every day
• Are fluent in English
• Are a UC Merced employee
• 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

You may not qualify if…

• Individuals may not join if they are experienced meditators or have participated in a sitting meditation practice more than twice a week (for 10 minutes or greater) over the last three months.

Where it is running

• University of California, Merced — Merced, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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