Impact of a Mindfulness Program on Stress and Well-being in University Students in Colombia

This intervention consisted of a structured 13-week mindfulness-based program designed to reduce academic stress and improve emotional and physiological well-being in university students. Content and materials: Sessions included guided mindfulness practices such as body scan, mindful breathing, and present-moment awareness of thoughts and emotions. Each session also included reflective group discussions and practical exercises for daily integration. For example, participants practiced mindful walking and mindful listening during sessions, and were encouraged to apply these techniques informally throughout the week. No printed or digital materials were provided, but experiential practice was emphasized. Delivery mode and setting: The program was delivered face-to-face in groups of approximately 10–15 participants, in a quiet, distraction-free room on the university campus. Sessions took place before academic classes. Frequency and duration: The intervention was conducted once per week for 13 consecutive weeks. Each session lasted 60 minutes. Provider and expertise: Sessions were facilitated by a licensed psychologist trained in mindfulness-based interventions and with experience delivering MBSR-style programs in group settings. Personalisation/adaptation: The intervention followed a standardized structure. While session content was not tailored to individual participants, group discussions allowed participants to reflect on personal experiences and apply mindfulness practices to their academic context. Adherence/fidelity monitoring: Attendance was recorded weekly. Although no formal fidelity checklist was used, the facilitator followed a pre-designed protocol to ensure consistent delivery across sessions. Intervention arm: Participants in the experimental group received the 13-week mindfulness-based intervention. As this was a non-randomised study, participants were allocated to the intervention or control group using a matched convenience sampling method in a 1:2 ratio, based on availability and interest in participating in the sessions. Matching was based on age to minimize group differences. Participants in the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period.