Examining Exercise, Health Coaching and Meditation for University Employees

NCT02936726 | Terminated

• 1 other identifier: STU 2016 - 121
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

There is evidently great potential in implementing workplace health promotion programs, but more randomized trials are needed to determine which interventions are worksite-effective in helping to decrease inactive behaviors and increase engagement in healthy lifestyle activities. For employers, it could mean improving the health and productivity of employees. For workers, especially those in physically and/or psychologically demanding positions, it could mean developing strength, muscular endurance and agility to reduce musculoskeletal pain while developing the stress reduction skills that reduce long-term sickness and absenteeism risks. While changing behavior in a complex workplace is, as seen in multiple studies, difficult due to the need to change workplace and organizational culture between employers and employees, this study aims to identify the effectiveness of workplace interventions in relation to counseling for university employees to increase overall work fitness without affecting any hierarchal interactions at the work site. Simply put, the investigators will examine the benefits of a workplace exercise and mindfulness (two-prong) intervention (in combination) vs. a group who just receive a workplace exercise intervention. Both interventions will be guided by health coaches. Given the limited research with health coaching and workplace interventions for university workers, the aim is to contribute to a developing research literature. This study is geared to engage university employees at their workplace over a 3 month period. Participants will be assessed through pre and post physical and psychological measures and will also undergo semi-structured interviews (SSI).

Conditions

Motor Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• VO2 Peak

  Assess changes in VO2 peak over time

  Baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Psychological Questionnaires

  Baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Exercise and Health Coaching

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Walking exercise protocol program, carried out by themselves, over 12 weeks. Health Coach addresses various topics with participant, half-hour sessions on a weekly (12 sessions)

Behavioral: Exercise and Health Coaching

Exercise, Health Coaching and Meditation

EXPERIMENTAL

Walking exercise protocol program, carried out by themselves, over 12 weeks. Health Coach addresses various topics with participant, half-hour sessions on a weekly (12 sessions) Mindfulness Meditation intervention will incorporate varied types of MBI techniques 3 times per week for 12 weeks, during work hours and/or during their time on campus (after work hours).

Behavioral: Exercise, Health Coaching and Meditation

Interventions

Exercise, Health Coaching and Meditation BEHAVIORAL

Comparing Exercise, Health Coaching and Meditation In Combination

Exercise, Health Coaching and Meditation

Exercise and Health Coaching BEHAVIORAL

Comparing Exercise and Health Coaching Alone

Exercise and Health Coaching

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Employees at York University;
• fluency in English;
• provision of informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• currently engaged in regular exercise programs or routines which meet or exceed the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines
• neurological or musculoskeletal co-morbidities inhibiting participation in exercise program
• \> 65 years old;
• medical history of cardiovascular diseases such as CAD and CHF, uncontrolled hypertension
• currently engaged in a mindfulness meditation program or meditative practice at advanced levels;
• not in possession of a smartphone (android/i-phone)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• York University: lead

Study Sites (1)

York University

Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Jakobsen MD, Sundstrup E, Brandt M, Kristensen AZ, Jay K, Stelter R, Lavendt E, Aagaard P, Andersen LL. Effect of workplace- versus home-based physical exercise on pain in healthcare workers: study protocol for a single blinded cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014 Apr 7;15:119. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-119.

  PMID: 24708570 BACKGROUND

• van Berkel J, Boot CR, Proper KI, Bongers PM, van der Beek AJ. Effectiveness of a worksite mindfulness-based multi-component intervention on lifestyle behaviors. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Jan 27;11:9. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-11-9.

  PMID: 24467802 BACKGROUND

• Marshall AL. Challenges and opportunities for promoting physical activity in the workplace. J Sci Med Sport. 2004 Apr;7(1 Suppl):60-6. doi: 10.1016/s1440-2440(04)80279-2.

  PMID: 15214603 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise; Meditation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies; Relaxation Therapy; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Shalini Moonsammy Persaud, PhD (cand)

  York University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD. Canditate

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 12, 2016
• First Posted: October 18, 2016
• Study Start: September 1, 2016
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2017
• Study Completion: September 1, 2017
• Last Updated: January 6, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)