Differential Experimental Effects of a Short Bout of Walking, Meditation, or Combination of Walking and Meditation on State Anxiety Among Young Adults

Summary & key facts

This randomized trial tested whether a single short bout of walking, meditation, or a combination changed short-term anxiety in young adults. One hundred ten university students (mean age 21.4 years) were randomly assigned to 10 minutes of walking, 10 minutes of meditation, walking then meditation, meditation then walking, or sitting. Anxiety (state anxiety) fell after meditation alone and after the two combined conditions, but it did not change after walking alone or sitting. The study authors wrote that meditation (versus a brisk walk) may be better for reducing state anxiety, and adding a brief meditation before or after exercise may give extra benefit.

Key facts:

• Study type: randomized controlled trial with 110 participants (mean age = 21.4 years).
• Intervention groups: 10 minutes of walking, 10 minutes of meditation, walk then meditate, meditate then walk, or sitting (inactive control).
• Anxiety was measured before and after using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (state anxiety).
• There was a significant group × time interaction for anxiety (P = .01).
• State anxiety decreased from before to after the session in the meditation group (P = .002).
• State anxiety also decreased in the meditation then walk group (P = .002) and the walk then meditation group (P = .03).
• State anxiety did not change in the walk-only group (P = .75) or the inactive control group (P = .45).
• The paper’s conclusion: in this sample of young adults, meditation reduced state anxiety more than a brisk walk, and brief meditation added to exercise may provide additional anxiety-reducing effects.

Abstract

Meditation (vs a brisk walk) may be a preferred method of attenuating anxiety symptomology. Individuals desiring the health benefits associated with aerobic exercise may achieve additional anxiolytic benefits if they employ a brief meditation session before or after exercising.

Topics

Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Sleep and related disorders Urban Green Space and Health

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Anxiety Clinical psychology Differential effects Internal medicine Medicine Meditation Philosophy Physical medicine and rehabilitation Physical therapy Psychiatry Psychology Theology