Stress-induced Eating
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample of UCLA employees who report mild to moderate stress. We will randomize University of California Los Angeles employees to either 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application Headspace) or a waitlist control condition.
Detailed description
The aim of this study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention in a sample of UCLA employees who report mild to moderate stress. UCLA employees will be randomized to either 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application Headspace) or a waitlist control condition. Participants who are assigned to the intervention group will be asked to download and use the Headspace mobile application for at least 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks. All participants will be asked to fill out short (no longer than 25 minutes) questionnaires at baseline, week 4, week 8 (post intervention), and a 4-month follow up period. Among participants who are randomized to the digital meditation intervention, they will also take part in a 1-year follow up. All activities will take place online (via computer or smartphone). Prior to randomization, participants will complete an eligibility screening and complete the baseline questionnaire battery. The entirety of the study is digital and there are no in-person assessments. Adherence will be tracked remotely. The goal is to recruit as many as 1000 participants (500 per condition).
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMeditation
Ten minutes of meditation per day for 8 weeks using a mobile application
Sponsors
The University of California's Healthy Campus Network
Headspace Meditation Limited
University of California, Los Angeles
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Masking description
Investigator will be blind to condition throughout data accrual.
Intervention model description
Randomization to either digital meditation condition or waitlist-control condition
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Have access to a smartphone or computer everyday * Are fluent in English * Are a University of California, Los Angeles employee * Report mild to moderate levels of stress * Consent: demonstrate understanding of the study and willingness to participate as evidenced by voluntary informed consent and has received a signed and dated copy of the informed consent * Are at least 18 years of age
Exclusion criteria
* You may not join if you are an experienced meditator or have participated in a formal meditation practice in the last 6 months (defined as once or more per week for a duration of 20 minutes or more at each practice)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reductions in perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale | Baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks from baseline) | Changes in the Perceived Stress Scale (range: 1-40; Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1988). Higher scores indicate greater psychological distress. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reductions in stress-induced eating as measured by the Palatable Eating Motives Scale | Baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks from baseline) | Changes self-reporting using highly palatable foods to cope with stress, according to the Palatable Eating Motives Scale Coping subscale (range: 1-20) Burgess, Turan, Lokken, Morse, & Boggiano, 2014). Higher scores indicate a higher likelihood of using palatable foods to cope with stress. |
| Reductions in reward-based eating as measured by the Reward-based Eating Drive | Baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks from baseline) | Changes in self-reporting intrinsic rewards from consuming highly palatable foods, according to the Reward-based Eating Drive (RED) Scale (range: 1-45; Epel, et al. 2014). Higher scores indicate a greater reward response from consuming palatable foods. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed