Study Examining the Effects of Mindfulness and Similar Audio-guided Exercises.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to examine whether greater length of mindfulness practice results in more beneficial outcomes.

Detailed Description
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This study will randomise participants to one of three groups: (1) four sessions of medium length mindfulness practice (lasting 20 mins) and 5 mins of an audio book; (2) four sessions of brief mindfulness practice (lasting 5 mins) and 20 mins of an audio book; and (3) a control group who just receive 4 sessions of audio book (lasting 25 mins). In the mindfulness arms, in each session, the participants will receive the audio book prior to the mindfulness practice. Mindfulness levels, and depression, anxiety and stress will be measured by self-report at baseline, session by session, and at post-intervention.

Official Title
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The Effects of Length of Mindfulness Practice on Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety and Stress: A Randomised Controlled Experiment

Conditions
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Mindfulness, Healthy Population

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: 20 minutes of mindfulness practice
* Behavioral: 5 minutes of mindfulness practice
* Other: 5 minute audio book
* Other: 20 minute audio book
* Other: 25 minute audio book


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Members of the general public, especially university students or staff. Adequate understanding of spoken and written English Exclusion Criteria: Currently experiencing significant difficulties with their mental wellbeing. Currently have a personal mindfulness practice. Currently participating in a mindfulness-based intervention.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 20 minutes of mindfulness practice<br>Two sessions a week for two weeks of: 5 minutes listening to audio book excerpts followed by 20 minutes of audio guided mindfulness practice. Participants will be asked not to engage in formal mindfulness practice outside of these sessions during the study. | Behavioral: 20 minutes of mindfulness practice<br>* A 20 minute audio guided mindfulness of breathing practice per session, for four sessions.<br>Other: 5 minute audio book<br>* 5 minutes from an audio book by Bill Bryson ('A Short History of Nearly Everything') per session, for four sessions.<br>|
| Active Comparator: 5 minutes of mindfulness practice<br>Two sessions a week for two weeks of: 20 minutes listening to audio book excerpts followed by 5 minutes of audio guided mindfulness practice. Participants will be asked not to engage in formal mindfulness practice outside of these sessions during the study. | Behavioral: 5 minutes of mindfulness practice<br>* A 5 minute audio guided mindfulness of breathing practice per session, for four sessions.<br>Other: 20 minute audio book<br>* 20 minutes from an audio book by Bill Bryson ('A Short History of Nearly Everything'), per session, for four sessions.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Audio book control<br>Two sessions a week for two weeks of: 25 minutes listening to audio book excerpts (with non mindfulness practice). Participants will be asked not to engage in formal mindfulness practice during the study. | Other: 25 minute audio book<br>* 25 minutes from an audio book by Bill Bryson ('A Short History of Nearly Everything'), per session, for four sessions.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline at post-intervention (week 3) on the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire -15 item version (FFMQ-15) | The Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire -15 item version is a self-report measure of mindfulness, producing a total score between 15 and 75, with higher scores indicating greater levels of mindfulness. (Note that the observe subscale will be excluded from the calculation of the total score, as recommended in https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21865 and http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pas0000263 producing a total score between 12 and 60). | Post-intervention (3 weeks after baseline). | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline at post-intervention (week 3) on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 item version (DASS-21). | The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 is a self-report measure of depression, anxiety and stress, producing a total score between 0 and 63, with higher scores indicating greater symptomatology. | Post-intervention (3 weeks after baseline). |