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Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students.

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
April 18, 2025
Laura García-Pérez et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate whether a 12-week physical activity and meditation intervention could enhance psychological well-being in university students.

Results Summary

The study found significant improvements in resilience, depression, and sleep duration, with mood benefits more pronounced in men. No major changes were observed in other variables like self-esteem or personality traits.

Population

Spanish university students (final sample: 136 participants, 82 in intervention group).

Effective Dosage

Six meditation sessions (yoga and mindfulness) over 12 weeks (frequency not specified).

Duration

12 weeks of intervention.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
12-week PA and meditation intervention
increase
resilience
Spanish university students
p < 0.001
Significant improvements were found
#1
12-week PA and meditation intervention
decrease
depression
Spanish university students
p < 0.01
Significant improvements were found
#2
12-week PA and meditation intervention
increase
sleep duration
Spanish university students
p < 0.05
Significant improvements were found
#3
12-week PA and meditation intervention
increase
mood
men
-
greater mood benefits
#4
12-week PA and meditation intervention
no change
other variables
Spanish university students
-
No major changes were observed
#5
Abstract

(1) Background: University students' mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. This study evaluated a 12-week PA and meditation intervention to enhance psychological well-being in Spanish university students. (2) Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a non-randomized control group and pretest-posttest assessments. The study lasted 14 weeks (12 weeks of intervention and two for evaluations). Initially, 149 students were recruited, but the final sample included 136 (82 intervention, 54 control) due to attrition. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, respecting university-established groups. The intervention consisted of six PA sessions (aerobic, cardiovascular, and strength exercises) and six meditation sessions (yoga and mindfulness). Validated questionnaires assessed resilience, psychological distress, self-esteem, mood, personality traits, sedentary behavior, PA levels, and sleep duration. (3) Results: Significant improvements were found in resilience (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.01), and sleep duration (p < 0.05), with greater mood benefits in men. No major changes were observed in other variables. (4) Conclusions: PA- and meditation-based interventions can improve students' MH, particularly in key psychological aspects. Further research should explore long-term effects and refine strategies by distinguishing between preventive and therapeutic approaches.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.30
Normalized Score0.63
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