An Internet-Based Intervention to Alleviate Stress During Social Isolation With Guided Relaxation and Meditation: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

A planned internet-based experiment will test whether brief, single-session relaxation practices—guided deep breathing, guided body scan meditation, or natural sounds—can improve relaxation and emotional state while reducing psychomotor activation and COVID-19-related worry during social isolation. Two hundred fifty-two participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (84 per group) and listen to a 7-minute automated audio clip. Pre- and post-session self-report scales will measure changes in perceived relaxation, psychomotor activation, pandemic worry, and emotional state, along with qualitative reports. The protocol aims to determine whether remote guided practices can help alleviate psychological distress during prolonged isolation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background Psychophysiological stress and decreased well-being are relevant issues during prolonged social isolation periods. Relaxation practices may represent helpful exercises to cope with anxiety and stressful sensations. Objective The aim of this research protocol is to test whether remote relaxation practices such as natural sounds, deep respiration, and body scan meditation promote relaxation and improved emotional state and reduce psychomotor activation and the preoccupation related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods The study population will consist of 3 experimental groups that will randomly receive one of 3 internet-based audio clips containing a single session of guided breathing exercise, guided body scan exercise, or natural sounds. The participants will listen to the fully automated audio clip for 7 minutes and complete pre-post self-assessment scales on their perceived relaxation, psychomotor activation, level of worry associated with COVID-19, and emotional state. At the end of the session, the participants will also be asked to provide qualitative reports on their subjective experiences. Results Analyses will be performed to test the differences in the efficacy of the different audio clips in an internet-based intervention on 252 participants (84 per group), investigating whether natural sounds or remote guided practices such as deep respiration and body scan meditation positively enhance the participants’ perceived psychological state. Conclusions The study will provide information on if and to what extent guided practices can help in reducing psychological side effects related to social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/19236