Recovery Strategies Based on Mindfulness and Physical Exercise on Levels of Stress and Inmunoglobulin A
Condition: Mental Health Wellness
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The present study aims to compare the differential effects of mindfulness meditation (MBI)
      and physical exercise (PE) on different stress, academic performance and health variables
      (self-report means and biological measure of IgA levels). A controlled trial of three groups
      is proposed, with pretest, posttest and two follow-ups at 1 and 3 months that would be
      developed among the Guardia Civil (Spanish military police) non-commissioned officers and
      officers academies.
    

Detailed description: 
      Recovery from fatigue and daily stress involves mentally disconnecting from the journal. To
      achieve this disconnection (or psychological detachment), research has shown that engaging in
      a variety of interesting and motivating activities for individuals after the day allows them
      to achieve this disconnected state of mind and, consequently, facilitates recovery from work.

      Previous research has shown that two of the most effective recovery activities are physical
      exercise (PE) and mindfulness meditation (MBI), although the results on the differential
      effects of the two are not conclusive (Karabinski et al, 2021; Steed et al., 2021; Wendsche
      et al., 2021).

      Thus, the present study aims to compare the differential effects of MBI and PE on different
      stress, academic performance and health variables (self-report means and biological measure
      of IgA salivary levels). A non-randomized controlled trial (participant chooses to take of
      three groups proposed) with pretest, posttest and two follow-ups at 1 and 3 months. It would
      be developed among the Guardia Civil (Spanish military police) non-commissioned officers and
      officers academies (N ≥ 150). An MBI (focused attention meditations), an aerobic PE program
      (running with mental association strategies) and an inactive control / waiting list (LE)
      condition will be contrasted.

      The dependent variables considered are: 1) recovery experiences; 2) perceived stress; 3)
      general health; 4) academic performance; 5) positive and negative affect; 7) daily states of
      fatigue, stress, psychological distancing, mindfulness, and sleep; 8) IgA levels in saliva.
      The intervention program is structured for four weeks, during which the two intervention
      groups will carry out their recovery strategy (MBI or PE), starting and increasing the
      practice 5 minutes every two weeks. The control group will continue as usual. The
      investigators believe that this study is a quasi-pioneering initiative because of its theme,
      and will have an important scientific and technical impact. The importance of the topic
      addressed in terms of health and academic performance is associated with important
      contributions in terms of knowledge transfer to the educational field and society in general.
    

Intervention name(s): Mindfulness-based intervention; Physical exercise
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): A mindfulness instructor will guide focused attention meditations that will last from 15 to 30 minutes. Participants will be instructed at the beginning of the intervention and will have audio files to guide the exercises during their practice.; An instructor will guide to running with mental association strategies that will last from 15 to 30 minutes. Participants will be instructed at the beginning of the intervention and will have audio files to guide the exercises during their practice.
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Intervention model description: A non-randomized controlled trial of three groups is proposed, with pretest, posttest and two follow-ups at 1 and 3 months.
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: mindfulness; physical exercise; mental health; stress; recovery; Inmunoglobulin A