Mental and physical training with meditation and aerobic exercise improved mental health and well-being in teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Docia Demmin, Steven M. Silverstein, Tracey J. Shors
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience August 23, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.847301 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 104 |
| Population | K-12 teachers in the Northeastern region of the United States |
| Intervention | Mental and Physical (MAP) Training |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health Population Clinical psychology Rumination Mood Aerobic exercise Stressor Cognition Physical therapy |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key findings | Virtual MAP Training reduced anxiety and work-related stress and improved mood, cognitive functioning, and sleep in K-12 teachers compared to no training. |
Abstract
Teachers face significant stressors in relation to their work, placing them at increased risk for burnout and attrition. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about additional challenges, resulting in an even greater burden. Thus, strategies for reducing stress that can be delivered virtually are likely to benefit this population. Mental and Physical (MAP) Training combines meditation with aerobic exercise and has resulted in positive mental and physical health outcomes in both clinical and subclinical populations. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of virtual MAP Training on reducing stress and improving mood and well-being in teachers. Participants ( n = 104) were from recruited online from kindergarten to grade twelve (K-12) schools in the Northeastern region of the United States and randomly assigned to a 6-week program of virtual MAP Training ( n = 58) or no training ( n = 13). Primary outcomes included pre-intervention and post-intervention ratings on self-report measures of social and emotional health. Changes in cognitive functioning and physical health were also examined in secondary analyses. By intervention end, participants in the MAP Training group reported less anxiety and work-related stress compared to those who received no training ( d s = −0.75 to −0.78). Additionally, MAP Training participants reported improvements in depressive symptoms, rumination, work-related quality of life, perceived stress, and self-compassion ( d s = 0.38 to −0.82), whereas no changes were observed in the no training group. Participants also reported increased subjective ratings of executive functioning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and fewer sleep disturbances ( d s = −0.41 to −0.74). Together, these results suggest that the combination of meditation and aerobic exercise is an effective virtual intervention for improving mental health and well-being among K-12 teachers and may enhance resilience to stressful life events such as occurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
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 3
- Effects of mindfulness breathing meditation on stress and cognitive functions: a heart rate variability and eye-tracking study Scientific Reports October 24, 2025
- Meditation and Aerobic Exercise Enhance Mental Health Outcomes and Pattern Separation Learning Without Changing Heart Rate Variability in Women with HIV. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback March 2022
- The Impact of a Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Intervention on Stress, Burnout, and Psychological Well-Being Among Arab Teachers in Israel: A Longitudinal Study
Cites 12
- Mindfulness for Teachers: A Pilot Study to Assess Effects on Stress, Burnout, and Teaching Efficacy Mind, Brain, and Education August 16, 2013
- Meditation and Aerobic Exercise Enhance Mental Health Outcomes and Pattern Separation Learning Without Changing Heart Rate Variability in Women with HIV. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback March 2022
- MAP Train My Brain: Meditation Combined with Aerobic Exercise Reduces Stress and Rumination While Enhancing Quality of Life in Medical Students The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine April 20, 2020
- Mindfulness Training and Physical Health: Mechanisms and Outcomes Psychosomatic Medicine April 1, 2019
- MAP Training My Brain™: Meditation Plus Aerobic Exercise Lessens Trauma of Sexual Violence More Than Either Activity Alone Frontiers in Neuroscience April 23, 2018
and 7 more in the library