Differential Experimental Effects of a Short Bout of Walking, Meditation, or Combination of Walking and Meditation on State Anxiety Among Young Adults.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of a single, short bout of walking, meditation, or their combination on state anxiety in young adults.
Results Summary
Walking alone did not significantly reduce state anxiety, but combining walking with meditation (either before or after) led to significant reductions in anxiety. Meditation alone was more effective than walking alone in reducing anxiety.
Population
Young adults (mean age = 21.4 years, N = 110)
Effective Dosage
10-minute walking bout
Duration
Single 10-minute session
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a single, short bout of aerobic exercise | decrease | anxiety states | young adults | - | improve | #1 |
a single, short bout of meditation | decrease | anxiety states | young adults | - | improve | #2 |
meditation | decrease | state anxiety | Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) | - | significantly decreased | #3 |
meditation then walk | decrease | state anxiety | Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) | - | significantly decreased | #4 |
walk then meditation | decrease | state anxiety | Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) | - | significantly decreased | #5 |
walk | no change | state anxiety | Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) | - | not | #6 |
sit (inactive control) | no change | state anxiety | Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) | - | not | #7 |
Meditation | decrease | anxiety symptomology | - | - | may be a preferred method of attenuating | #8 |
a brief meditation session before or after exercising | decrease | anxiety symptomology | Individuals desiring the health benefits associated with aerobic exercise | - | achieve additional anxiolytic benefits | #9 |
INTRODUCTION: Single bouts of aerobic exercise and meditation have been shown to improve anxiety states. Yet to be evaluated in the literature, we sought to examine the effects of a single, short bout of aerobic exercise or meditation, as well as exercise and meditation combined on state anxiety among young adults. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University. SUBJECTS: Participants (N = 110, mean age = 21.4 years) were randomly assigned to walk, meditate, walk then meditate, meditate then walk, or to sit (inactive control). MEASURES: All walking and meditation bouts were 10 minutes in duration. Participants' state anxiety was monitored before and after the intervention using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. RESULTS: Significant group × time interaction effects were observed ( P = .01). Post hoc paired t tests revealed that state anxiety significantly decreased from baseline to postintervention in the meditation ( P = .002), meditation then walk ( P = .002), and walk then meditation ( P = .03) groups but not the walk ( P = .75) or control ( P = .45) groups. CONCLUSION: 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.