A Pilot Study Using Mindfulness-Guided-Relaxation & Biofeedback To Alleviate Stress In A Group

Area of Science:

• Occupational health psychology
• Mindfulness-based interventions
• Stress management

Background:

• University staff face significant stress during organizational changes like restructuring and relocation.
• Existing stress management techniques may not fully address the physiological impacts of chronic workplace stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention in reducing stress among university staff.
• To assess the impact of guided-relaxation with biofeedback on physiological stress markers.

Main Methods:

• A four-week study involving 13 university staff undergoing organizational change.
• Utilized guided-relaxation incorporating positive emotions, controlled breathing, and biofeedback monitors.
• Measured sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity and collected qualitative feedback.

Main Results:

• A single session of guided-relaxation and biofeedback significantly increased parasympathetic activity.
• Participants who continued practicing with digital recordings showed sustained and increasing physiological gains.
• Qualitative reflections supported the quantitative findings on stress reduction.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness guided-relaxation is an effective intervention for reducing staff stress in high-pressure academic environments.
• Biofeedback integrated with mindfulness practices can promote significant physiological regulation and stress resilience.
• Accessible digital recordings of mindfulness sessions can support ongoing stress management and well-being for university employees.