Stress, Mindfulness and Occupational Engagement: A Pilot Study of the HOME Protocol
Laura Gerig, Patricia A. Henton, Megan Butterweck, Jory Swider, Laura Cameron, Kaylee Marihugh, Kathryn Close
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education 2023 DOI: 10.26681/jote.2023.070204 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed methods pilot study with randomized controlled trial component Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Occupational therapy doctoral students at a Midwestern university, recruited by convenience sample |
| Interventions | Huntington Occupational Mindfulness and Engagement (HOME) protocol journaling |
| Duration | Four weeks, with protocols used at least once per week |
| Measures | Coping Orientation to Problems (COPE) Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The HOME protocol group showed a significant within-group reduction in perceived stress (d=-1.595, p=.001), but no significant difference was found between the HOME and journaling groups' change scores. Qualitative themes supported the protocol as beneficial for re-engagement in meaningful activities, and the authors suggest further research with larger, more diverse samples. |
Abstract
Stress and disengagement from meaningful occupations are barriers graduate students face daily. This mixed methods study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the nine-minute Huntington Occupational Mindfulness and Engagement (HOME) protocol for occupational therapy (OT) graduate students to re-engage in meaningful occupations. Participants (N=29) were selected through a convenience sample at a Midwestern university’s OT doctoral program and randomly assigned to either an experimental HOME Protocol group or a control journaling group. Students completed the Coping Orientation to Problems (COPE) Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) as pre and post assessments and received training in the assigned protocols. For four weeks, participants utilized their designated protocols at least one time per week. Following data collection, optional focus groups provided insight into participants’ perceived engagement and use of the protocols. Data analyzed through paired t-tests and independent samples t-tests demonstrated significance in the reduction of stress levels (d=-1.595; pd=1.106; p=.001) for the experimental group using the HOME Protocol. No significant difference was found between change scores of the experimental and control groups. Qualitative data revealed themes of Habit Formation, Management of Stress and Overwhelming Feelings, and Re-focus for Re-engagement in Activity. Integrated analysis of qualitative and quantitative data supported the HOME Protocol as a beneficial tool for students’ re-engagement in meaningful activities. The pilot study suggested positive benefits for increasing engagement and decreasing stress levels when using the HOME Protocol. Further research is indicated to determine its effectiveness when expanded to other academic programs that allow for a larger, more diverse sample.
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
Cites 4
- Mindfulness Training for Health Profession Students-The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Psychological Well-Being, Learning and Clinical Performance of Health Professional Students: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Non-randomized Controlled Trials. Explore October 24, 2016
- The Effectiveness of Daily Mindful Breathing Practices on Test Anxiety of Students. PLoS One October 20, 2016
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Academic Evaluation Anxiety: A Naturalistic Longitudinal Study. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy April 2, 2016
- An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry April 1, 1982