A Web-Based Gentle Body Stretching to Alleviate Loneliness and Improve Mental Fitness During COVID-19 Isolation Period

NCT04394013 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 180320201
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are having to stay at home in quarantine to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. Depending on the number of occupants and the dwelling space available, this can lead to household crowding, which can have an effect on mental health. In addition, the closing of leisure facilities, including restaurants, cafes and, with the need to self-isolate and socially distance, has led to loneliness. The focus on "loneliness" has recently been on a rise, and being described as an epidemic, especially when it has been shown to be associated with various diseases as well as increased risk of mortality. Studies conducted on participants in isolation has shown increased mental health issues including anxiety, stress and depression. Mindfulness intervention has been shown to alleviate mental health issues including loneliness. However, to date, there is limited studies examining the effectiveness of a remote mindfulness intervention. This proposal aims to deliver a remote mindfulness program that can be accessible by participants easily and even during the isolation period. This intervention will investigate the effectiveness and safety in elevating mental health issues faced by the general population.

Conditions

Mental Health Issue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Loneliness (UCLA-8 Loneliness Scale)

  Measured using University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)-8 Loneliness Scale; Higher score indicates higher loneliness level

  2-4weeks

• Mindfulness (FFMQ)

  Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ); Higher score indicates higher mindfulness level

  2-4weeks

• Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire)

  EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire; Higher score indicates higher quality of life

  2-4weeks

Study Arms (2)

Mindfulness Arm

EXPERIMENTAL

The content of the approximately 20 minutes video is recorded in advance of the intervention by a certified teacher with teaching experience. The 20 minutes session consists of a series of body stretching exercises (around 17 different gentle and simple stretches from head to toe) with the incorporation of breathing technique (i.e. when to breathe in and breathe out). The whole body stretching exercise is performed with a sitting position, ideally on an exercise mat. As mentioned above, the participants are required to conduct the stretching exercise by following the guidance video for at least 5 days weekly for at least 2 weeks duration. The video will be uploaded onto a webpage which requires participants to log in and view the video. The webpage and video will be accessible through computers and mobile phones.

Behavioral: Mindfulness intervention

Non-mindfulness Arm

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In this study, for control group, the participants are instructed with a similar video content as the intervention group, minus the incorporation of breathing technique, as breathing technique is hypothesised to be a key component of mindfulness.

Behavioral: Non-Mindfulness intervention

Interventions

Mindfulness intervention BEHAVIORAL

Gentle body stretching with the incorporation of breathing technique

Mindfulness Arm

Non-Mindfulness intervention BEHAVIORAL

Gentle body stretching without the incorporation of breathing technique

Non-mindfulness Arm

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Adult participants

You may not qualify if:

• None

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Monash University Malaysia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Monash University Malaysia

Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Jong FJX, Lee CCW, Ting RS, Lin MH, Ong LK, Quek XF, Lee SWH, Ng ALO, Teoh SL. Effects of online mindful stretching exercises for loneliness, mindfulness, and hair cortisol: A mixed method study. Explore (NY). 2025 Jul-Aug;21(4):103204. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2025.103204. Epub 2025 Jun 26.

  PMID: 40614537 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Siew Li Teoh, PhD

  Monash University Malaysia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 18, 2020
• First Posted: May 19, 2020
• Study Start: August 26, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2020
• Study Completion: December 31, 2020
• Last Updated: February 24, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

MY (1)