Differential Experimental Effects of a Short Bout of Walking, Meditation, or Combination of Walking and Meditation on State Anxiety Among Young Adults.
Meghan K. Edwards, Simon Rosenbaum, Paul D Loprinzi
American Journal of Health Promotion May 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1177/0890117117744913 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 110 |
| Population | Young adults |
| Interventions | walk meditate walk then meditate meditate then walk |
| Duration | 10-minute intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Combination Exercise psychology Physical activity Walking |
| Key findings | Meditation, but not brisk walking alone, significantly reduced state anxiety, and combining meditation with walking also reduced anxiety. |
Abstract
Single bouts of aerobic exercise and meditation have been shown to improve anxiety states. Yet to be evaluated in the literature, we sought to examine the effects of a single, short bout of aerobic exercise or meditation, as well as exercise and meditation combined on state anxiety among young adults. Randomized controlled trial. University. Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) were randomly assigned to walk, meditate, walk then meditate, meditate then walk, or to sit (inactive control). All walking and meditation bouts were 10 minutes in duration. Participants' state anxiety was monitored before and after the intervention using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Significant group × time interaction effects were observed ( P = .01). Post hoc paired t tests revealed that state anxiety significantly decreased from baseline to postintervention in the meditation ( P = .002), meditation then walk ( P = .002), and walk then meditation ( P = .03) groups but not the walk ( P = .75) or control ( P = .45) groups. Meditation (vs a brisk walk) may be a preferred method of attenuating anxiety symptomology. Individuals desiring the health benefits associated with aerobic exercise may achieve additional anxiolytic benefits if they employ a brief meditation session before or after exercising.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- The effect of Qigong exercise on state anxiety levels of inpatients in psychiatric wards: A randomized controlled study. Explore 2024
- Effects of Buddhist Walking Meditation, Walking Meditation or Mindful Walking on the Health of Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review Psychiatry International October 13, 2025
- Living Your Best Life: The Mindful Pursuit of Student-Athlete Thriving 2023
- USING BREATHING AND MEDITATIVE TECHNIQUES TO DEAL WITH UNCERTAINTY AND ANXIETY: A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Society Register April 6, 2020
- Emotional body odors alter autonomic nervous activity during mindfulness training in social anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders June 10, 2026
and 6 more in the library
Cites 10
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- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience April 24, 2013
- Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of meditation use among US adults: A nationally representative survey. Scientific Reports November 10, 2016
- A Moment of Mindfulness: Computer-Mediated Mindfulness Practice Increases State Mindfulness. PLoS One April 22, 2016
and 5 more in the library