A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness: effects on academic stress, academic burnout, and psychological resilience in university students.
Shanwei Chen, Xiuzhi Qi
Frontiers in Psychology November 27, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1722669 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 153 |
| Population | Chinese undergraduate and graduate university students |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 2-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomized controlled trial Academic stress University students Psychological resilience Mindfulness training Academic burnout |
| Key findings | At Week 8, mindfulness training reduced academic stress (B = 14.79, d = -1.89) and academic burnout (B = 11.31, d = -1.26) and increased psychological resilience (B = -18.42, d = 2.02) relative to a minimal-contact control group, with effects largely sustained at a 2-week follow-up. The authors argue these results support integrating mindfulness-based programs into higher education mental health initiatives. |
Abstract
Introduction: Academic stress, academic burnout, and reduced psychological resilience are prevalent among university students, particularly during examination periods. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week structured mindfulness training program in improving these outcomes.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 153 undergraduate and graduate students who were randomly assigned to a mindfulness intervention group (n = 77) or a minimal-contact control group (n = 76). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed using linear mixed models with likelihood-based estimation under the missing-at-random assumption.
Results: At the primary endpoint (Week 8), the intervention group showed significantly lower academic stress compared with the control group (B = 14.79, 95% CI [12.96, 16.62], p < 0.001, Cohen's d = -1.89). Secondary outcomes demonstrated parallel benefits, including reduced academic burnout (B = 11.31, 95% CI [8.62, 14.00], p < 0.001, d = -1.26) and increased psychological resilience (B = -18.42, 95% CI [-20.94, -15.90], p < 0.001, d = 2.02). These effects were largely sustained at the 2-week follow-up.
Discussion: The findings indicate that structured mindfulness training significantly decreases academic stress and burnout while enhancing psychological resilience among Chinese university students. These results support the value of integrating mindfulness-based programs into higher education mental health initiatives.
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 4
- Mindfulness and learning engagement among undergraduate dance majors: the serial mediating roles of self-efficacy and academic burnout Frontiers in Psychology September 1, 2026
- Effectiveness of an Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Improving Mental Health in Undergraduate Students: A Randomized Clinical Trial International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 30, 2026
- Perceived Stress Among Students and Their Perceptions of Mindfulness and Therapeutic Yoga Practice in Bhutan: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Public health challenges September 2026
- Psychological consequences of AI-assisted training and the buffering role of mindfulness. Acta Psychologica August 10, 2026
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