Randomized, controlled study ofthe effects of meditation in stress reduction in teachers

• Grant number: 15/05355-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: August 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Eugenio Araujo de Moraes Mello
• Grantee: Luiz Eugenio Araujo de Moraes Mello
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Elisa Harumi Kozasa

Abstract

Stress is a process associated to neuropsychophysiological reactions in the face of internal or external stimuli. Depending on its intensity, duration and frequency those stimuli might contribute for the development of several medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric problems to name a few. K12 teachers in Brazil have one of the most stressful jobs in the country. This stressful condition is not only bad for the teachers themselves but also might impair the teaching and learning process. Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of meditation in stress reduction and emotional balancing, in addition to objectively altering theta and alpha brain rhythms. Here we aim at assessing the effects of meditation in reducing the stress of K12 teachers. Subjects will be evaluated in terms of their stress stage and those volunteers characterized in the resistance stage of stress will be randomized into an experimental and a control group. A meditation program will be implemented and an assessment of salivary cortisol, theta and alpha rhythms and validated inventories for anxiety, depression, quality of life and stress phases will be made before and after the mediation program. We hypothesize that stressed subjects will benefit from the meditation program by means of reduced levels of cortisol, increase theta and alpha rhythms and better outcomes in the inventory assessments. (AU)