The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample University of California, Irvine (UCI) employees who report mild to moderate stress. UCI employees will be randomized to either 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application Headspace) or a waitlist control condition.
The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample UCI employees who report moderate to high stress. UCI employees will be randomized 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 Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
2,000
10 minute per day, 8 week digital meditation
University of California Irvine
Irvine, California, United States
RECRUITINGChange in perceived stress score, as determined by the total score on the Perceived Stress Scale
The Perceived Stress Scale has a total score scale range of 0 to 40, with higher values indicating more perceived stress
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in job strain, as determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale
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.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in job overcommitment, as as determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale
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.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in burnout, as determined by the Bergen Burnout Inventory
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.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in subjective mindfulness, as determined by total score on Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
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.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
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Change in work engagement, as determined by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale
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.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks