Meditation and guided imagery show reduction in chronic stress and increase in mental health-related quality of life for college students.
Katherine J Stefanelli
Journal of American College Health 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.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Power animal journeying in Western psychotherapy: Applications, therapeutic safety, and future promises Explore April 14, 2026
- Impact of meditation-only interventions on university students' resilience: A pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomised actively and passively controlled trials. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being June 1, 2026
Cites 11
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life: Is Increased Mindfulness Indeed the Mechanism? Annals of Behavioral Medicine June 1, 2008
- Plasticity changes in the brain in hypnosis and meditation Contemporary Hypnosis October 30, 2009
- Examining the impact of web-based mindfulness on undergraduate student’s quality of life: a randomized controlled trial BMC Digital Health July 3, 2023
and 6 more in the library