Evaluation of Mindfulness and Yoga in Basic Combat Training

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05550610

Enrollment

1896

Registered

2022-09-22

Start date

2020-10-12

Completion date

2021-12-31

Last updated

2022-09-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anxiety, Cohesion, Social, Depressive Symptoms, Emotion Regulation, Health, Subjective, Leadership, Military Operations, Mindfulness, Mood, Musculoskeletal Injury, Pain, Sleep, Stress, Yoga

Keywords

military, basic combat training, soldier, drill sergeant, Mindfulness-Based Attention Training

Brief summary

The present study is a group randomized trial assessing the impact of mindfulness and yoga training on the health, performance, and well-being of soldiers in Basic Combat Training (BCT). Randomization occurred at the platoon level, and platoons received either a combined mindfulness and yoga regimen or training as usual.

Detailed description

This program evaluation assessed a training initiative developed and implemented by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Four surveys were conducted with soldiers in all participating platoons over the course of BCT, and two additional surveys were administered with those soldiers in the mindfulness and yoga intervention condition. A follow-up survey was distributed to all participants 6-12 months after BCT. In addition, two surveys were conducted with BCT cadre and drill sergeants. Army data reflecting performance, attrition, and health were also obtained for analysis.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALMindfulness Based Attention Training (MBAT) and Yoga

Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT) was delivered in 4, 2-hour sessions over 4 weeks. Participants also completed 15 minutes of group mindfulness practice 6 days/week and received information on embedded practice during the duty day. Yoga was delivered 6 days/week, 30 minutes per day during warm-up (15 min) and cool-down (15 min) as part of Army physical readiness training.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Masking description

All participants were aware whether they were assigned to receive mindfulness and yoga or training as usual.

Intervention model description

group randomized trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

17 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* U.S. Army soldiers participating in basic combat training from OCT - DEC 2020 at a U.S. Army installation in the southeastern United States.

Exclusion criteria

* None

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) Two-Item Version: Change in Scores Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The PHQ-2 is a validated screening tool for depression. The PHQ-2 included a single item assessing impairment in functioning attributable to reported symptoms.
ICD-10 Musculoskeletal Diagnoses: Occurrence Over Time	0-10 weeks	ICD-10 musculoskeletal diagnoses (M group) and associated encounter information drawn from U.S. Army records

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	The ISI is a validated screening tool for insomnia and sleep-related problems.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Sleep Quality Item: Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	A single item from the PSQI was used to assess overall sleep quality.
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The DVPRS is a measure of self-reported pain designed for use in military and veteran populations. The DVPRS was adapted for the present study to assess pain-related interference with training, sleep, mood, and stress.
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The PHQ-15 is a validated measure of a range of patient health outcomes. Ten items from the PHQ-15 were used to assess physical pain and assorted medical symptoms.
Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The MTI is a measure of mental toughness and resilience. Eight items from the MTI were used in the present evaluation: Four items assessed mental toughness during stressful events, and four items assessed mental toughness following stressful events.
Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The MAIA is a measure of interoceptive awareness and mindfulness-related constructs. Ten items from the MAIA were used in the present evaluation: Six items assessed the capacity to not self-distract, and four items assessed capacity for self-regulation.
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	The FFMQ is a measure of engagement in mindful awareness.
Brief Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS): Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The Brief DERS is a shortened version of a validated measure assessing ability to manage difficult emotions. Subscales assessed difficulties with emotional awareness, impulse control, and engaging in goal-directed behavior.
Attitudes toward Mindfulness Training: Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	Four items developed for the current evaluation were used to assess perceived acceptability and utility of mindfulness training.
Overall Health: Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	A single item was used to assess self-rated health.
Self-Reported Pain: Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	Three items were developed for this evaluation assessing the frequency of pain, level of pain, and chronicity of pain.
Satisfaction with Yoga or Preparatory and Recovery Drills: Change Over Time	3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	Eleven items developed for this evaluation were used to assess satisfaction with yoga intervention and preparatory and recovery drills.
Unit Cohesion: Change Over Time	3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	A validated three-item measure was used to assess unit cohesion.
Self-Reported Medical Visits: Occurrence Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	A single item measure developed for this evaluation was used to assess frequency of medical visits.
Impact of Injury on Training: Change Over Time	3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	Eight items developed for the present evaluation were used to assess disruption in training due to injury, trainee response to injury, and outcomes associated with experience of injury.
Use of Mindfulness following Training	6-12 month follow-up	Twenty-five items were developed for the present evaluation to assess use of mindfulness and attitudes towards mindfulness practice following basic combat training.
Use of Yoga or Preparatory and Recovery Drills (PRT) following Training	6-12 month follow-up	Twenty-three items were developed for the present evaluation to assess use of yoga/PRT drills and attitudes towards yoga/PRT drills following basic combat training.
Use of Mindfulness and Yoga Resources following Training	6-12 month follow-up	Nine items were developed for this evaluation to assess receipt and use of mindfulness and yoga resources following training.
Use of Mindfulness during Training: Change Over Time	3-4 weeks; 9-10 weeks	Thirteen items were developed for this evaluation to assess use of MBAT during basic combat training.
Perceived Drill Sergeant Support for Mindfulness during Training: Change Over Time	3-4 weeks; 9-10 weeks	Six items were developed for this evaluation to assess trainees' perception of drill sergeant support for MBAT during basic combat training.
Drill Sergeant Leadership: Change Over Time	3-4 weeks; 9-10 weeks	Nine items were used to assess participants' perceptions of the quality of drill sergeant's leadership and instruction.
Indiscipline: Occurrence Over Time	3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks	Seven items developed for the current evaluation were used to assess behaviors that reflect indiscipline and consequences experienced as a result of indiscipline.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Two Item Version: Change Over Time	0, 3-4, 6-7, and 9-10 weeks; 6-12 month follow-up	The GAD-2 is a validated screening tool for anxiety. The GAD-2 included a single item assessing impairment in functioning attributable to reported symptoms.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 8, 2026