Meditation and guided imagery show reduction in chronic stress and increase in mental health-related quality of life for college students.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH January 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2449426 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | College students from a local private university in Northeast Pennsylvania |
| Interventions | Meditation Guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation |
| Duration | 8-week program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Guided imagery Mental health Progressive muscle relaxation |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Both meditation and guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation reduced chronic stress and improved mental-health-related quality of life in college students over an 8-week period. |
Abstract
Objective: To explore the effects of guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation (PDMR) and meditation programs on chronic stress perception and health related quality of life in college students.
Participants: College students were recruited from a local private university in Northeast Pennsylvania. Participants were not concurrently enrolled in another weekly meditation class. Students were randomly assigned to a meditation group (n = 16) or guided imagery with PDMR (n = 17).
Method: The study design was an experimental, repeated measures design with two groups and two independent variables: the Perceived Stress Scale and Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-36v2).
Results: Students in both the meditation and guided imagery groups demonstrated a decrease in chronic stress and increase in their mental-health related quality of life midway through the 8-week program and maintained throughout.
Conclusion: This research lends support for weekly participation in a mind-body class as a viable method to decrease stress for college students.