Physical Inactivity
Conditions
Brief summary
Mindful walking is a meditation practice that combines physical activity and mindfulness practice. This study examined whether a mindful walking intervention increased physical activity and improved health outcomes. The investigators conducted a randomized experiment among adults with inadequate physical activity, whereby the intervention group received a four-week, one-hour-per-week mindful walking intervention and the control group received instructions to increase physical activity (N=38). Participants in both groups received a wrist-worn step count device as participation incentive. Physical activity and health outcomes were measured with an online survey and data obtained from the wearable device at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2), and one month after the intervention (T3).
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMindful Walking
Weekly 60 minute mindful walking sessions involving observations of bodily sensations, experiences, and breath. Discussion of mindful walking experiences and encouragement to meet physical activity goals.
Sponsors
Clemson University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults over age 18 * Able to read and understand English
Exclusion criteria
* Student athletes * Medical condition that limits slow-paced walking for 20 minutes
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Scale | one week | self-report scale of physical activity, with total score ranging from 1-10; higher scores indicate increased activity |
| Daily Step Counts | one day | Fitbit-HR device data |
| Screen Time | one week | self-report measure, 4 items assessing television and non-television time in number of hours |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory | 7 days | self-report measure, total score ranging from 14 to 56 with higher scores indicating higher levels of mindfulness skills |
| Perceived Stress Scale | one month | self-report measure, total score ranges from 4 to 20, higher levels indicating higher levels of stress |
| Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index | one month | self-report measure, total score ranging from 7 to 28, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality |
| Mental Health Inventory | one month | self-report measure of health-related quality of life, total score ranging from 5 to 30, with higher levels indicating higher quality of life |
| Brief Edinburgh Depression Scale | 7 days | self-report measure, total score ranging from 6 to 24, with higher levels indicating higher levels of depression symptoms |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed