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) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCollege students who participated in an 8-week program of either meditation or guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation showed decreases in chronic stress and increases in mental-health-related quality of life. These improvements were observed midway through the program and were maintained. The findings suggest that weekly mind-body classes can be a practical way for college students to reduce stress.
Study at a glance
| 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 finding | 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.