Yoga and Cognitive-behavioral Interventions to Reduce Stress in Incoming College Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract

We examined the feasibility and differential efficacy of cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) and yoga for first-year college students to reduce stress and improve mental and physical health. Thirty-four incoming first-year female students were assigned to 8 weeks of yoga, CBSM, or a wait-list control. Assessments were made at baseline, end of intervention, and 4 months after intervention end. Both CBSM and yoga produced salutary changes in psychosocial and behavioral health as well as health-related measures of physical function and activity relative to the control group. Stress-management interventions are feasible and highly regarded by first-year women and demonstrate promising effects.