A Web-Based Gentle Body Stretching to Alleviate Loneliness and Improve Mental Fitness During COVID-19 Isolation Period

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are having to stay at home in quarantine to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. Depending on the number of occupants and the dwelling space available, this can lead to household crowding, which can have an effect on mental health. In addition, the closing of leisure facilities, including restaurants, cafes and, with the need to self-isolate and socially distance, has led to loneliness. The focus on loneliness has recently been on a rise, and being described as an epidemic, especially when it has been shown to be associated with various diseases as well as increased risk of mortality. Studies conducted on participants in isolation has shown increased mental health issues including anxiety, stress and depression. Mindfulness intervention has been shown to alleviate mental health issues including loneliness. However, to date, there is limited studies examining the effectiveness of a remote mindfulness intervention. This proposal aims to deliver a remote mindfulness program that can be accessible by participants easily and even during the isolation period. This intervention will investigate the effectiveness and safety in elevating mental health issues faced by the general population.

Detailed Description
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Loneliness, mindfulness and quality of life will be assessed as the primary outcome of the study. A mindfulness video will be used as the intervention for participants, and is compared with a group with similar video content without mindfulness component. The effect of changes in primary outcome will be assessed between groups after 2-4weeks.

Official Title
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A Web-Based Gentle Body Stretching to Alleviate Loneliness and Improve Mental Fitness During COVID-19 Isolation Period

Conditions
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Mental Health Issue

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Mindfulness intervention
* Behavioral: Non-Mindfulness intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult participants Exclusion Criteria: None

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: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Mindfulness Arm<br>The content of the approximately 20 minutes video is recorded in advance of the intervention by a certified teacher with teaching experience. The 20 minutes session consists of a series of body stretching exercises (around 17 different gentle and simple stretches from head to toe) with the incorporation of breathing technique (i.e. when to breathe in and breathe out). The whole body stretching exercise is performed with a sitting position, ideally on an exercise mat. As mentioned above, the participants are required to conduct the stretching exercise by following the guidance video for at least 5 days weekly for at least 2 weeks duration. The video will be uploaded onto a webpage which requires participants to log in and view the video. The webpage and video will be accessible through computers and mobile phones. | Behavioral: Mindfulness intervention<br>* Gentle body stretching with the incorporation of breathing technique<br>|
| Active Comparator: Non-mindfulness Arm<br>In this study, for control group, the participants are instructed with a similar video content as the intervention group, minus the incorporation of breathing technique, as breathing technique is hypothesised to be a key component of mindfulness. | Behavioral: Non-Mindfulness intervention<br>* Gentle body stretching without the incorporation of breathing technique<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Loneliness (UCLA-8 Loneliness Scale) | Measured using University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)-8 Loneliness Scale; Higher score indicates higher loneliness level | 2-4weeks | 
| Mindfulness (FFMQ) | Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ); Higher score indicates higher mindfulness level | 2-4weeks | 
| Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire) | EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire; Higher score indicates higher quality of life | 2-4weeks |