Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on sleep quality and academic stress of Chinese adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.
Jingxin Deng, Fang Xu
Frontiers in Psychology 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1734353 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Chinese school adolescents |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Academic stress Adolescents Controlled trial Mindfulness-based stress reduction Sleep quality |
| Key findings | An 8-week MBSR program significantly improved sleep quality, reduced academic stress, and enhanced mindfulness in Chinese adolescents compared to a no-intervention control group. |
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on sleep quality and academic stress among Chinese school adolescents. A total of 46 students were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=22), which participated in the 8-week MBSR program, or the control group (n=24), which received no intervention. Assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Academic Stress Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Five Factors Mindfulness Scale (FFMQ) were conducted before and after the intervention period. Following the 8-week MBSR program, the experimental group demonstrated significant reductions in total scores for both sleep quality and academic stress, alongside a significant increase in total mindfulness score. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in academic stress, sleep quality, or mindfulness scores over the same period. The findings indicate that the 8-week MBSR program effectively improved sleep quality, reduced academic stress, and enhanced mindfulness levels in Chinese adolescents, suggesting its potential as a beneficial intervention in school settings.
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
Cites 9
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- How Does Mindfulness Training Affect Health? A Mindfulness Stress Buffering Account Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2014
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia Sleep August 29, 2014
- The influence of mindfulness meditation on mind wandering and its mechanism Advances in Psychological Science 2023
and 4 more in the library