Effects of guided mindfulness meditation on anxiety and stress in a pre-healthcare college student population: a pilot study
Journal of American College Health August 1, 2020 Matthew S Burgstahler, M. Stenson
Five to twelve minutes of daily guided mindfulness meditation over eight weeks reduced stress and anxiety and increased mindfulness in pre-healthcare college students aged 19–22. Students who meditated more showed greater improvements: those in the highest quartile (350–424 total minutes) decreased stress, state anxiety, and trait anxiety, while those in lower quartiles showed more limited gains. Heart rate variability also improved. The findings suggest that even brief daily meditation can benefit mental health, with larger doses yielding larger effects.