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Mindfulness versus Physical Exercise: Effects of Two Recovery Strategies on Mental Health, Stress and Immunoglobulin A during Lunch Breaks. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

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  • Cintia Díaz-Silveira

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain)

  • Carlos-María Alcover

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain)

  • Francisco Burgos

    (Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, c/Juan del Rosal 10, 29040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Alberto Marcos

    (Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, c/Juan del Rosal 10, 29040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Miguel A. Santed

    (Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, c/Juan del Rosal 10, 29040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

This research analyses the effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) and physical exercise (PE), practised as daily recovery activities during lunch breaks, on perceived stress, general mental health, and immunoglobin A (IgA). A three-armed randomized controlled trial with 94 employees was conducted for five weeks including two follow-up sessions after one and six months. Daily practice lasted 30 min maximum. Perceived stress and general mental health questionnaires and saliva samples were used. There were significant differences in time factor comparing pre- and post-test of Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) both for PE [Mdiff = 0.10, SE = 0.03, p = 0.03], and for MM [Mdiff = 0.09, SE = 0.03, p = 0.03]. Moreover, there were significant differences of interaction factor when comparing MM vs. PE in total score at pre-post [F = −2.62 (6, 168.84), p = 0.02, ω 2 = 0.09], favoring PE with medium and high effect sizes. Regarding General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) variable, practicing MM showed significant effects in time factor compared to pre-Fup2. No significant differences were found for IgA. Thus, practicing both MM and PE as recovery strategies during lunch breaks could reduce perceived stress after five weeks of practice, with better results for PE. Moreover, practicing MM could improve mental health with effects for 6 months.

Suggested Citation

  • Cintia Díaz-Silveira & Carlos-María Alcover & Francisco Burgos & Alberto Marcos & Miguel A. Santed, 2020. "Mindfulness versus Physical Exercise: Effects of Two Recovery Strategies on Mental Health, Stress and Immunoglobulin A during Lunch Breaks. A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2839-:d:348099
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    1. Heikkilä, K. & Fransson, E.I. & Nyberg, S.T. & Zins, M. & Westerlund, H. & Westerholm, P. & Virtanen, M. & Vahtera, J. & Suominen, S. & Steptoe, A. & Salo, P. & Pentti, J. & Oksanen, T. & Nordin, M. &, 2013. "Job strain and health-related lifestyle: Findings from an individual-participant meta-analysis of 118 000 working adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(11), pages 2090-2097.
    2. Math Janssen & Yvonne Heerkens & Wietske Kuijer & Beatrice van der Heijden & Josephine Engels, 2018. "Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on employees’ mental health: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-37, January.
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    3. Felisa Latorre & Amalia Raquel Pérez-Nebra & Fabiana Queiroga & Carlos-María Alcover, 2021. "How Do Teleworkers and Organizations Manage the COVID-19 Crisis in Brazil? The Role of Flexibility I-Deals and Work Recovery in Maintaining Sustainable Well-Being at Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-23, November.

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