A Brief Online Program Integrating Mindfulness and Stretching Exercises: Effects on Well-Being in Health Sciences Students.

Objective: Students enrolled in health sciences programs, similar to practicing healthcare professionals, are at high risk for burnout. Despite the numerous challenges these students face, it is crucial to support their well-being. This study examined the impact of a brief online intervention that combined mindfulness and stretching exercises on mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental well-being among health sciences students.

Method: The study employed a randomized control group design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. The study group consisted of 38 undergraduate students in the health sciences. The participants in the experimental group attended a six-session online program that integrated mindfulness and stretching exercises. In contrast, the participants in the control group did not receive any treatment. Data were collected using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale.

Results: The findings revealed that following a six-session online program combining mindfulness and stretching exercises, there were significant differences in mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental well-being scores between experimental and control groups over time. The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental well-being compared with the control group.

Conclusions: These results indicate that a brief mindfulness-based stretching exercises program delivered online can effectively enhance mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental well-being among undergraduate students pursuing health sciences. The results support the potential of such interventions to promote psychological well-being among health sciences students.

Clinical trial registration: This study was not pre-registered.