Effects of a mindfulness-based program on the occupational balance and mental health of university students. Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302018
• Publication Date: 2024-05-02T17:32:05Z
• Authors: Carmen Lillo-Navarro; Paula Fernández-P...; Gemma Benavides Gil; Fermín Martínez-Z...; Covadonga Chaves; Pablo Roca; Paula Peral-Gómez; María Elena Gonzá...; Daniel Mendialdua...; José Luis Poveda ...; Philippe R. Goldin; Alicia Sánchez-Pérez
• Keywords: Male; Adult; Universities; Science; Q; R; Virtual Reality; 610; Study Protocol; Young Adult; Mental Health; Meditation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Medicine; Humans; Female; Students; Mindfulness

Objective The aim is to examine whether the addition of Virtual Reality (VR) meditation training a standard 8-week Mindfulness-Based Health Care Program (MBHC-VR) results in significantly increased improvement occupational, mental health, and psychological functioning versus MBHC-only university students. Materials methods A randomized controlled clinical trial with three arms (MBHC, MBHC-VR, Control Group), four assessment time points (pre-intervention, inter-session, post-intervention, 3-month follow-up), mixed methodology will be proposed. University students (undergraduate, master, or doctoral) interested participating who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria included over two years. Data collected from different ad hoc questionnaires, several standardized tests, an Ecological Momentary Assessment. We use R software carry out descriptive analyses (univariate bivariate), multilevel modeling, structural equation models respond proposed objective. qualitative analysis carried using MAXQDA program technique focus groups. Discussion It expected that intervention learn relate healthier way their processes, so as improve occupational balance (OB) well-being. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05929430 .