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Cited by 24Digital Mental Health InterventionsHealth and Lifestyle StudiesMindfulness and Compassion Interventions

The Impact of a Web-Based Mindfulness, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Platform on the Health Status of First-Year University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

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Trottier, Claire F, Lieffers, Jessica R L, Johnson, Steven T, Mota, João F, Gill, Roshni K, Prado, Carla M·2021·JMIR Research Protocols
DOI 10.2196/24534PMC PMC7991982

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Abstract

Background: First-year university students are at an increased risk for developing mental health issues and a poor nutritional status. Self-care plays an essential role in optimizing mental health and can prevent or manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Web-based self-monitoring of diet and physical activity can lead to similar or improved health outcomes compared with conventional methods. Such tools are also popular among university students. Objective: The primary aim of this 12-week randomized controlled trial is to assess the impact of a web-based wellness platform on perceived stress among first-year university students. The secondary aim is to assess the effects of the platform on diet quality. The exploratory objectives are to explore the effects of the platform on body composition, health-related quality of life, mindfulness, mental well-being, and physical activity. Methods: A total of 97 first-year undergraduate students were randomized to either the intervention (n=48) or control (n=49) group. The intervention consisted of access to a web-based platform called My Viva Plan (MVP), which aims to support healthy living by focusing on the topics of mindfulness, nutrition, and physical activity. The platform is fully automated and guided by the principles of cognitive behavioral theory. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to use the MVP as frequently as possible over 12 weeks. The control group did not receive access to MVP. Perceived stress was assessed using the Stress Indicators Questionnaire at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Three-day food records were used to analyze the dietary intake at baseline and week 12. Health-related quality of life, mindfulness, mental well-being, and physical activity questionnaires were completed at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Body composition was assessed at baseline and week 12. Study assessments were completed in person at baseline and week 12 and electronically at week 6. Results: Study recruitment started in August 2018, with batch enrollment for students registered in the fall (September 2018 to December 2018) and winter (January 2019 to April 2019) academic terms at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Conclusions: This study is the first to explore the impact of a web-based platform designed to promote health and wellness on perceived stress and diet quality among first-year university students. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03579264; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03579264. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/24534

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  • Randomized control trials using online mindfulness interventions addressing students' mental health have proven to be effective.

    “Randomized control trials using online mindfulness interventions addressing students’ mental health have proven to be effective [11, 12, 14, 24–26]”

    From Effectiveness of online mindfulness interventions on medical students’ mental health: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [26]

    The Abstract (Methods and Objective; page unavailable) describes a randomized trial of a web-based platform that includes mindfulness and assesses first-year students’ stress and mental well-being. But the Discussion (Conclusions; page unavailable) says the study will determine whether the platform has an impact. This protocol does not report that the intervention—or online mindfulness trials generally—has proven effective. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [35]Creswell JW Research design 3 ed 2009 Thousand Oaks, California, United States SAGE Publications Ltd 295
  2. [39]Kalodner CR Cognitive-behavioral theories Counsel psychoth 2011 2021-02-12 US American Counseling Association https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-18469-009
  3. [42]Stress Indicators Questionnaire The Counseling Team International 2020-09-10 https://www.academia.edu/38901217/STRESS_INDICATORS_QUESTIONNAIRE

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Authors
Trottier, C. F., Lieffers, J. R. L., Johnson, S. T., Mota, J. F., Gill, R. K., & Prado, C. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • University of Saskatchewan (CA)
  • Athabasca University (CA)
  • Universidade Federal de Goiás (BR)
Corresponding author
Prado, Carla M
ORCID
Venue
JMIR Research Protocols
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Published
2021-03-10
Volume
10
Issue
3
Pages
e24534
ISSN
1929-0748 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2196/24534
PMC
PMC7991982
OpenAlex
W3126740406
Cited by
24
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3
FWCI
4.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • JMIR Research Protocols (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Lifestyle Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Keywords
mindfulness, nutrition, physical activity, first-year students, perceived stress, diet quality, body composition, health-related quality of life, psychological well-being, cognitive-behavioral theory, self-care, student mental health, nutritional status, food diary, stress management, social support, social media use, alcohol consumption

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