Stress Free UC Merced: The Effect of 8 Weeks of Mindfulness App Headspace on Stress in a Sample of University Employees
| Status: | Not yet recruiting |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 8/31/2018 |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2020 |
| Contact: | Matthew J Zawadzki, PhD |
| Email: | mzawadzki@ucmerced.edu |
| Phone: | (209) 228-4787 |
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.
(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.
Stress at work has shown to be an important health risk for employees. It is associated with
poor mental and physical health including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances,
gastrointestinal problems, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Work stress also has
major implications for employers as evidence suggests that high levels of work stress predict
employee burnout, turnover intent, absenteeism, and poor job performance.
Mindfulness and its positive effects on a variety of outcomes, including stress reduction,
have been documented in many studies. The most common definition of mindfulness is as the
state of being attentive to and aware of the present moment with an attitude of openness and
acceptance. Several mechanisms by which mindfulness exerts its positive effects have been
proposed in the literature including cultivating the attitude of non-judgement and
acceptance, ability to observe one's experiences objectively without reacting to them, and
ability to be more patient and kind toward oneself. Recent evidence suggests that teaching
mindfulness in the workplace not only reduces stress but also improve psychological
well-being.
With advances in technology, technology-based delivery of many interventions has become
popular. App-based treatments for improving psychological health are becoming increasingly
important due to high accessibility and cost-effectiveness of smartphone technology. Despite
a great number of app-based interventions, there has been little research evaluating their
efficacy. Support for the use of smartphone app-based mindfulness interventions comes from a
few small studies that found these interventions to produce benefits comparable to
traditional delivery methods. While app-based interventions offer a convenient alternative to
traditional delivery methods as well as promising initial empirical evidence, more research
is needed in order to further evaluate and promote these interventions.
The proposed study has several goals. The first goal is to investigate the effects of the
app-based mindfulness intervention on overall physical and psychological health (e.g.,
perceived stress, mindfulness, sleep quality, self-reported health, anxiety symptoms). The
second goal is to examine the effect of the intervention on a variety of work-related
outcomes (e.g., work stress, job satisfaction, work-related burnout). Further, the study will
examine potential mindfulness mechanisms that may drive these effects (e.g., acceptance,
reactivity, decentering).
poor mental and physical health including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances,
gastrointestinal problems, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Work stress also has
major implications for employers as evidence suggests that high levels of work stress predict
employee burnout, turnover intent, absenteeism, and poor job performance.
Mindfulness and its positive effects on a variety of outcomes, including stress reduction,
have been documented in many studies. The most common definition of mindfulness is as the
state of being attentive to and aware of the present moment with an attitude of openness and
acceptance. Several mechanisms by which mindfulness exerts its positive effects have been
proposed in the literature including cultivating the attitude of non-judgement and
acceptance, ability to observe one's experiences objectively without reacting to them, and
ability to be more patient and kind toward oneself. Recent evidence suggests that teaching
mindfulness in the workplace not only reduces stress but also improve psychological
well-being.
With advances in technology, technology-based delivery of many interventions has become
popular. App-based treatments for improving psychological health are becoming increasingly
important due to high accessibility and cost-effectiveness of smartphone technology. Despite
a great number of app-based interventions, there has been little research evaluating their
efficacy. Support for the use of smartphone app-based mindfulness interventions comes from a
few small studies that found these interventions to produce benefits comparable to
traditional delivery methods. While app-based interventions offer a convenient alternative to
traditional delivery methods as well as promising initial empirical evidence, more research
is needed in order to further evaluate and promote these interventions.
The proposed study has several goals. The first goal is to investigate the effects of the
app-based mindfulness intervention on overall physical and psychological health (e.g.,
perceived stress, mindfulness, sleep quality, self-reported health, anxiety symptoms). The
second goal is to examine the effect of the intervention on a variety of work-related
outcomes (e.g., work stress, job satisfaction, work-related burnout). Further, the study will
examine potential mindfulness mechanisms that may drive these effects (e.g., acceptance,
reactivity, decentering).
Inclusion Criteria:
- 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
Exclusion Criteria:
- 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.
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