Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Evaluating the Impact of SKY Breath Meditation on Stress, Well-being, and Connection in College Students

ConditionsStressAnxietyPhysical Activity
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

About this trial

This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) for university students. Over an eight-week period, 56 students will be randomly assigned to either a SKY breathwork group or a control group engaging in general yoga without breathwork. The SKY group will participate in a three-day in-person retreat, weekly virtual sessions, and independent home practice. The study will assess recruitment, retention, and adherence, as well as changes in physical activity, perceived stress, anxiety, resilience, social connectedness, and cognitive focus. All participants will complete validated wellness questionnaires at baseline and post-intervention. The goal is to determine whether SKY is a feasible, low-risk intervention that may enhance student well-being and inform future research.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

be currently enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students at the university in Alabama;

be at least 18 years old;

speak and read English;

be available to attend a 3-day in-person retreat and twice-weekly online sessions for SKY breath program over 8 weeks;

Disqualifiers

have a serious psychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia, psychotic disorders) that could be exacerbated by group-based interventions;

are in acute psychiatric crisis; such as, active suicidal ideation

have acute medical conditions that contraindicate light physical activity or breathwork;

are unable to obtain physician clearance for participation due to chronic conditions (e.g., uncontrolled asthma, severe cardiovascular disease, active psychiatric illness requiring intensive treatment).

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • SKY Breath Meditation

    Other intervention

    Three day in person retreat, weekly virtual sessions, home practice

  • Yoga Videos

    Other intervention

    Pre-recorded yoga videos will be sent to the participants to perform yoga three times per week

Treatment groups

53 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: control group will receive online Yoga Videos to practice at least three times a weekActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Intervention groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

perceived stress scale

measured by 10 items. score ranges from 0 to 40. Score of 0-13 would be considered low stress, score of 14-26 would be considered moderate stress, score of 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress.

Time frame
8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale

a seven item scale with score ranging from 0 to 21. score of 0-4: Minimal anxiety, score of 5-9: Mild anxiety, 10-14: Moderate anxiety, and 15-21: Severe anxiety.

Time frame
8 weeks
2

International physical activity scale - short form

a seven-item scale with open ended questions for recalling physical activity.

Time frame
8 weeks

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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