Effects of Yoga and Om Meditation on Stress and Mindfulness Among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Megha Pundir, Ruchi Tripathi, Bhola Nath Maurya, Vijay Shanker Yadav
Social Medicine September 1, 2026 DOI: 10.71164/socialmedicine.v19i3.2026.2303 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 35 |
| Population | University students |
| Interventions | Yoga Om meditation |
| Duration | Six-week program with daily yoga sessions combined with Om meditation |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A six-week program of daily yoga combined with Om meditation significantly increased mindfulness scores and significantly reduced perceived stress scores within the intervention group (both p < .001). The abstract reports these within-group changes and concludes that the practices may help promote student mental health. |
Abstract
Background: University students frequently experience significant stress due to various factors, including academic pressure. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as yoga and Om meditation, show promise in reducing stress and improving mental well-being. However, further research is needed to determine their efficacy, particularly among university students.Aim.To evaluate the effectiveness of yoga and Om meditation in reducing stress and enhancing mindfulness among university students over a six-week period.Methodology.A total of 35 university students were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (yoga and Om meditation) or the waitlist control group. The intervention group participated in a structured six-week program consisting of daily yoga sessions combined with Om meditation. Stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and mindfulness was measured using the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). Data analysis included paired sample t-tests to evaluate within-group differences and independent t-tests to compare between-group differences.Results.The normality test indicated that FMI data were normally distributed in the yoga group. A paired sample t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in mindfulness scores (p < .001). In contrast, the PSS data were not normally distributed in the yoga group. Consequently, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used, showing a statistically significant reduction in stress scores (p < .001).Conclusion.This study suggests that a six-week combined yoga and Om meditation intervention significantly enhances mindfulness and reduces stress among university students, highlighting the potential of these practices to promote student mental health.
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 |