Evaluating the Impact of Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy on Burnout Syndrome Among University Students.

NCT07456527 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UHS/USERC-26/SEC/98
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 55
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a mindfulness-based physical therapy intervention can reduce burnout syndrome and improve musculoskeletal pain and quality of life among undergraduate Allied Health Sciences students aged 18-30 years who are experiencing burnout symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and reduced quality of life. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program reduce burnout symptoms compared to standard physical therapy alone?
• Does MBPT improve musculoskeletal pain and quality of life compared to standard physical therapy alone? Researchers will compare a Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy intervention group to a control group receiving a standardized physical therapy program to determine whether the addition of mindfulness techniques results in greater improvements in burnout, pain, and quality of life. Participants will:
• Be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.
• Attend supervised 60-minute sessions three times per week for six weeks (total of 18 sessions).
• Receive a standardized baseline physical therapy program consisting of full-body active range of motion and general mobility exercises within pain-free limits.
• If assigned to the intervention group, receive structured mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, posture correction, stretching, progressive muscle relaxation, and group reflection during each session.
• Complete 10-15 minutes of daily home mindfulness practice (intervention group only).
• Complete validated questionnaires at baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention.

Conditions

Burnout Syndrome

Keywords

Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy; MBPT; Mindfulness; Mindfulness interventions; Physical Therapy; Burnout; Burnout Syndrome; Musculoskeletal pain; Quality of life; University students; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Burnout Score

  The primary outcome is the change in student burnout, measured with the School Burnout Inventory (SBI), which evaluates three domains: exhaustion related to study demands, cynicism toward academic work, and sense of inadequacy as a student. Higher scores indicate greater burnout. The School Burnout Inventory is a nine item scale, that utilizes a 6- point Likert scale, resulting in a minimum total score of 9 and a maximum total score of 54. The study will assess the mean subscale scores at baseline and Week 6. A decrease in scores indicates a reduction in burnout symptoms following the intervention.

  Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Reduction in Musculoskeletal Pain

  Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)

• Improvement in Quality of Life

  Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Standard Physical Therapy (Control Group)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The control group will receive a standardized baseline physical therapy program consisting of supervised full-body active range of motion exercises and general mobility exercises (shoulder rolls, arm swings, and pelvic tilts) throughout the study duration. All exercises will be performed within pain-free limit

Behavioral: Standard Physical Therapy

Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT)

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group will undergo a standardized baseline physical therapy program followed by a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program delivered over six consecutive weeks, three supervised 60-minute sessions per week, under the guidance of a registered physical therapist. Participants will also be instructed to perform daily home practice for 10-15 minutes.

Behavioral: Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy

Interventions

Standard Physical Therapy BEHAVIORAL

A supervised physical therapy program consisting of full-body active range of motion and general mobility exercises, including shoulder rolls, arm swings, and pelvic tilts, performed within pain-free limits.

Standard Physical Therapy (Control Group)

Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy is a structured program combining supervised physical therapy exercises with mindfulness practices. The intervention includes guided mindfulness meditation (body scan and breath awareness), diaphragmatic and paced breathing exercises, posture correction and ergonomic education, gentle stretching of the neck, shoulders, and back, and progressive muscle relaxation. Sessions are delivered three times per week for six weeks under the supervision of a registered physiotherapist. Participants are also instructed to complete daily home practice incorporating mindfulness and stretching techniques.

Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• University Students aged 18-30 years enrolled in an undergraduate Allied Health Sciences program.
• Reporting burnout symptoms as assessed by the School Burnout Inventory (SBI).
• Having musculoskeletal pain in at least one body region during the past 7 days or past 12 months (Assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire).
• Having decline in the quality of life in at least one domain (physical, psychological, social, or environmental) (Assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire).

You may not qualify if:

• Current diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder or taking any medicine.
• Current participation in another mindfulness, yoga or meditation intervention.
• Musculoskeletal injury requiring surgical or medical care.
• Student who has had major life upheavals recently, such as a family member loss.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Health Sciences Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Health Sciences

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burnout, Psychological; Musculoskeletal Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Fansub Choudhary

  University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Assessor Blinded RCT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study uses a parallel-group randomized controlled design. Participants are randomly assigned to either a Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) intervention group or a control group receiving standard physical therapy. The intervention is delivered over six weeks, three sessions per week, and outcomes are assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The study is assessor-blinded to reduce measurement bias.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2026
• First Posted: March 6, 2026
• Study Start: January 3, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2026
• Study Completion: April 20, 2026
• Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

PA (1)