The Effects of Brain Breaks® on Mental Stress, Resilience, Social Support, and Physical Activity among Emerging Adults in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized trial examines Brain Breaks' impact on mental stress, resilience, and physical activity among college students, suggesting integration into health strategies.
Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a Brain Breaks® exercise program on mental stress, resilience, social support, and physical activity in emerging adults.
Eighty college students were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups.
The intervention group received Brain Breaks® sessions twice weekly for four weeks, while the control group received informational brochures.
Outcomes were assessed using specific scales and a medical device with repeated-measures ANOVA for analysis.
Mental stress decreased significantly in the intervention group (Δ = −17.65) with p < 0.001 and η2 = 0.75.
Resilience increased in the intervention group (Δ = +1.02) with p < 0.001 and η2 = 0.43.
Physical activity also increased in the intervention group with p < 0.001 and η2 = 0.22, while no changes were observed in social support.