Differential Experimental Effects of a Short Bout of Walking, Meditation, or Combination of Walking and Meditation on State Anxiety Among Young Adults.
American journal of health promotion : AJHP May 1, 2018 Meghan K Edwards, Simon Rosenbaum, Paul D Loprinzi
A single 10-minute session of meditation, either alone or combined with a 10-minute walk, reduces state anxiety in young adults, while a 10-minute walk alone does not. In a randomized trial with 110 participants (average age 21.4 years), those who meditated, meditated then walked, or walked then meditation showed significant decreases in anxiety scores on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Walking alone and sitting (inactive control) produced no significant change. The findings suggest meditation may be a preferred method for attenuating anxiety, and that adding a brief meditation before or after exercise may provide additional anxiolytic benefits.