Impact of a Yoga and Meditation Intervention on Students\u27 Stress and Anxiety Levels

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a 6-week yoga and meditation intervention on college students’ stress perception, anxiety levels and mindfulness skills. Methods. College students participated in a 6-week pilot program consisting of a 60-minute vinyasa yoga class followed by guided meditation once weekly, delivered by trained faculty at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Students completed pre- and post-questionnaires to evaluate changes in the following outcomes: stress levels, anxiety levels, and mindfulness skills. The questionnaire was comprised of three self reporting tools: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Changes from baseline were assessed using numerical and categorical scales (low, medium, and high). Results. Seventeen participants (ages 19-23) completed the study. Thirteen participants were female, and four were male. Nine of the students were enrolled in the PharmD program and eight from other majors. Anxiety and stress scores decreased while total mindfulness increased, with all changes statistically significant. Categorical pre-post data from BAI and PSS were statistically significant with no students reported being in the “high” category of both stress and anxiety post intervention. Conclusion. Students demonstrated a reduction in stress and anxiety levels after completing a 6-week yoga and meditation program preceding final exams. Results suggest adopting a mindfulness practice for as little as once per week may reduce stress and anxiety in college students. Higher education may consider the inclusion of nonpharmacologic methods, such as yoga and meditation, to support student self-care

Impact of a Yin Yoga and meditation intervention on pharmacy faculty and student well-being

Background: Student pharmacists and faculty exhibit high levels of stress, independent of the current coronavirus 2019 pandemic, and their path toward wellness, including a reduction in stress and anxiety, is of the utmost importance. Yoga and meditation are proven interventions to reduce stress and anxiety and increase wellness. Yin yoga is an adaptable, quiet practice ideal for those lacking previous yoga experience, flexibility, and time. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a 6-week yin yoga and meditation intervention on College of Pharmacy faculty and students’ stress perception, anxiety levels, and mindfulness skills. Methods: Faculty and students participated in a 6-week pilot program comprising a once-weekly yin yoga class followed by guided meditation. Yin yoga was selected for its quiet meditative style. Participants completed a pre- and postquestionnaire at 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months to evaluate potential changes in perceived stress scores, anxiety scores, and mindfulness skills. The questionnaire was composed of 3 self-reporting tools: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Perceived Stress Scale, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Results: Twenty participants, 12 students and 8 faculty (ages 18-66 years), completed the study. Anxiety and stress scores decreased, and mindfulness increased at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, with all changes reaching statistical significance. No participants reported being in the “high” category of anxiety after intervention using BAI categorical data, although this finding was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Faculty and students demonstrated a reduction in stress and anxiety levels and an increase in mindfulness after a 6-week yin yoga and meditation program. Outcomes suggest that inclusion of an adaptable, meditative practice, which may easily be replicated at home, for as little as once per week for 6 weeks may reduce stress and anxiety and increase mindfulness long term. Creating a culture of wellness should be a priority for all Colleges of Pharmacy