Experimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults
Meghan K. Edwards, Paul D Loprinzi
Health Promotion Perspectives July 7, 2018 DOI: 10.15171/hpp.2018.23 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 66 |
| Population | Young adults (mean age 21.3 years) |
| Interventions | Brisk walking Meditation |
| Duration | 10-minute intervention |
| Measures | Profile of Mood States (POMS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A 10-minute bout of brisk walking and meditation both improved mood state compared to an inactive control group, with meditation showing a significant overall mood improvement and both interventions reducing fatigue and inertia. |
Abstract
Background: To examine the effects of an acute bout of aerobic exercise and meditation on mood state among young adults.
Methods: Participants (N= 66, mean age = 21.3 years) were randomly assigned to walk,meditate, or sit (control) for 10 minutes. Participants’ mood state was monitored before and after the intervention using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire.
Results: Significant group x time interaction effects were observed for the POMS composite scores (P=0.05). When evaluating three POMS sub scales separately (depression/dejection,anger/hostility, and fatigue/inertia), only fatigue/inertia was found to have a significant group x time effect (P=0.04). Post hoc paired t tests revealed that fatigue/inertia sub scale scores significantly decreased from baseline to post-intervention in both the exercise (P=0.03) and meditation (P<0.001) groups. However, POMS composite scores decreased significantly in the meditation group (P<0.001) but not in the exercise group (P=0.10).
Conclusion: A 10-minute bout of brisk walking and meditation both improved mood state,when compared to an inactive control group. A single bout of brisk walking or meditation may offer suitable strategies to improve mood state among young adults.
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 6
- Loving-kindness and walking meditation with a robot: Countering negative mood by stimulating creativity International Journal of Human-Computer Studies July 8, 2023
- Temporal Changes in the State Effect of Meditation on Response Inhibition Processes Mindfulness January 10, 2023
- Assisting focused attention meditation through EEG-based alpha-theta cross-frequency neurofeedback medRxiv September 6, 2024
- Acute effects of ultra-short aerobic and resistance, yoga-based mobility, and mindfulness meditation sessions on mental health: a randomized online study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2026
- Effects of mindful physical activity on perceived exercise exertion and other physiological and psychological responses: results from a within-subjects, counter-balanced study. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
and 1 more in the library
Cites 9
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- 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
- Mindfulness‐based approaches: are they all the same? Journal of Clinical Psychology January 19, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Zen Meditation for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, and Psychological Distress Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 1, 2012
and 4 more in the library