Stress-Reduction Intervention Trial

An occupational health psychologist investigated the efficacy of different stress-management interventions on high-stress corporate employees. 150 employees completed a baseline perceived stress questionnaire scoring from 0 (no stress) to 40 (extreme burnout).

60 employees who scored between 28 and 32 (indicating high stress) were selected to take part in the trial. They were randomly allocated to one of three conditions:

• Condition A (Guided Mindfulness Meditation): This consisted of 8 weekly in-person, 45-minute guided meditation classes with a professional instructor over an 8-week period.
• Condition B (Mindfulness App): This consisted of using a self-guided meditation smartphone app for 15 minutes daily over a 4-week period.
• Condition C (Control): Employees were placed on an 8-week waiting list and received no intervention during this time.

One week after completing their respective courses of intervention, participants in Condition A and Condition B had their salivary cortisol levels (a biological marker of stress) measured. Participants in Condition C had their salivary cortisol levels measured at the end of the 8-week waiting list period. The post-intervention cortisol levels were compared to assess the reduction in stress.