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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03527303

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress, Psychological Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout, Psychological Occupational Diseases Occupational Stress

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94118, United States

About this study

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).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

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)

Treatment and study plan

Meditation

Behavioral

10 minute per day, 8 week digital meditation

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in perceived stress score, as determined by the total score on the Perceived Stress Scale

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Change in job strain, as determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Change in job overcommitment, as as determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale

    Time frame: 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.

  3. Change in burnout, as determined by the Bergen Burnout Inventory

    Time frame: 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.

  4. Change in subjective mindfulness, as determined by total score on Mindful Attention Awareness Scale

    Time frame: 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.

  5. Change in work engagement, as determined by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

    Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Francisco

Other

Collaborators

  • Headspace, Inc
  • The University of California's Healthy Campus Network

Registry information

Official study title

The Impact of 8 Weeks of a Digital Meditation Application on Stress and Job Strain in a Heterogeneous University Employee Cohort

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2020
First posted
May 17, 2018
Registry last updated
Nov 19, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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