A 16-week aerobic exercise and mindfulness-based intervention on chronic psychosocial stress: a pilot and feasibility study
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Abstract
Objectives: Researchers have begun delivering mindfulness and aerobic exercise training concurrently on the premise that a combination intervention will yield salutary outcomes over and above each intervention alone. An estimate of the effect of combination training on chronic psychosocial stress in a nonclinical population has not been established. The objective of this study was to establish protocol feasibility in preparation of a definitive RCT targeting healthy individuals, and to explore the preliminary effect of combination training on reducing chronic psychosocial stress in this population. Methods: Twenty-four participants were allocated to a single-arm pre-post study and subjected to 16 weeks of concurrent mindfulness psychoeducation and aerobic exercise training. Feasibility criteria were collected and evaluated. Within-group changes in chronic psychosocial stress, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and cardiorespiratory fitness were also assessed. Primary analyses were based on 17 participants. Results: Retention rate, response rate, recruitment rate, and sample size analyses indicate a definitive trial is feasible for detecting most effects with precision. There was also a decline in our primary dependent measure of chronic psychosocial stress ( d pretest = −0.56, 95% CI [ −1.14,−0.06]). With regard to secondary measures, there was an increase in the use of cognitive reappraisal, and a reduction in use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. We are insufficiently confident to comment on changes in mindfulness and aerobic capacity $\left (\dot {V}O_{2max}\right)$ V ̇ O 2 max . However, there were subgroup improvements in aerobic economy at submaximal exercise intensities. Conclusions: We recommend a definitive trial is feasible and should proceed. Trial registration: ANZCTR (ID: ACTRN12619001726145 ). Retrospectively registered December 9, 2019.
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Prochilo, G. A., Costa, R. J. S., Hassed, C., Chambers, R., & Molenberghs, P.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Monash University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Prochilo, Guy A.
- Venue
- Pilot and Feasibility Studies
- Published
- 2021-03-06
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 64-64
- ISSN
- 2055-5784 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7936438
- OpenAlex
- W3135823806
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Pilot and Feasibility Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Heart Foundation of Australia (1000458)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Keywords
- aerobic exercise training, mindfulness-based interventions, chronic psychosocial stress, combined intervention, emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, maladaptive emotion regulation, cardiorespiratory fitness, non-clinical population, feasibility
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