Reducing Problematic Internet Use and Improving Well-Being in Adolescents Through Online Yoga Meditation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07587372 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TCM_SYM_2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 204
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of an online Sahaja Yoga meditation program on problematic internet use, mental well-being, self-esteem, and psychological distress among adolescents and youth in the United States. Participants aged 12-18 years were randomly assigned to either a six-week online meditation intervention or a waitlist control group. The meditation sessions were delivered online by experienced adolescent practitioners of Sahaja Yoga meditation under adult supervision. All participants completed standardized self-report questionnaires before and after the intervention period. The study examined whether participation in the meditation program was associated with improvements in mental well-being and self-esteem, as well as reductions in problematic internet use and psychological distress. A follow-up assessment was also conducted for participants in the intervention group.

Conditions

Problematic Internet Use; Mental Wellbeing

Keywords

mental wellbeing, problematic internet use, youth, adolescents, meditation, yoga

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Problematic internet use

  Problematic internet use was measured using the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS-2), a 15-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess problematic internet use (Caplan, 2010). The scale measures the subdimensions: 1) preference for online social interaction; 2) mood regulation, 3) cognitive preoccupation; 4) compulsive internet use; 5) negative outcomes, each with three items. Each item is rated on an 8-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (definitely disagree) to 8 (definitely agree), with higher scores indicating greater levels of problematic internet u

  "From enrollment to the end of invention periode at 12 weeks"

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Mental well-being

  "From enrollment to the end of invention periode at 12 weeks"

Study Arms (2)

Sahaja Yoga Meditation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a 6-week online Sahaja Yoga meditation program consisting of four sessions per week.

Behavioral: Sahaja Yoga Meditation Program

Waitlist Control Group

OTHER

Participants did not receive the intervention during the initial 6-week study period and completed outcome assessments only. After post-test assessment, they received the meditation program.

Other: Waitlist control group

Interventions

Sahaja Yoga Meditation Program BEHAVIORAL

A 6-week online Sahaja Yoga meditation program consisting of 24 guided meditation sessions delivered four times per week.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation Group

Waitlist control group OTHER

Participants served as a waitlist control group during the initial 6-week study period and received the intervention after completion of the post-test assessment.

Waitlist Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• i) school going; ii) able to commit to meditation four times a week during a period of six consecutive weeks.

You may not qualify if:

• i) currently in treatment for several psychological problems, including trauma and addiction problems ii) already meditating on a regular basis.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tilburg University: lead
• OP Jindal Global University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Sahaja Yoga Meditation Virginia

Chantilly, Virginia, 20151, United States

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A single- blinded parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted, with an intervention group and a waiting-list control group with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 weeks posttest and 3 months

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: May 14, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 7, 2025
• Study Completion: September 7, 2025
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: September 2025 to September 2035
• Access Criteria: Access will be provided through a secure data-sharing procedure in accordance with institutional and ethical guidelines.

Locations

US (1)