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Effect of aerobic exercise, slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation on cortisol and glucose levels in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.
Obaya, HE, Abdeen, HA, Salem, AA, Shehata, MA, Aldhahi, MI, Muka, T, Marques-Sule, E, Taha, MM, Gaber, M, Atef, H
Frontiers in physiology. 2023;14:1186546
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Stress is considered to be an important factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and aerobic exercise can help modulate the stress response as well as being important in the management of diabetes. Mindfulness meditation and deep breathing have also been shown to have positive effects on both stress and T2DM. This 6-week single-blind, randomised, controlled trial evaluated the effect of 10 min slow deep breathing and 10 min mindfulness meditation following a 40 min aerobic exercise programme, compared to the 40 min aerobic exercise alone, on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and cortisol levels in 58 stressed women with T2DM. FBG and cortisol levels improved in both groups but more so in the group who received the deep breathing and mindfulness meditation in addition to the exercise intervention: 20% vs 30% reduction in cortisol and 10% vs 15% reduction in FBG. The authors conclude that adding slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation to an exercise programme may be useful in the management of stressed women with T2DM and reduce their cardiometabolic risk.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
Practitioners could consider slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation, added to aerobic exercise, as potentially useful components of the T2DM management program for stressed women.
Evidence Category:
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X
A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
Introduction
Stress, a key factor for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), stimulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) and triggers parasympathetic nerve withdrawal, leading to increased circulating cortisol levels and higher levels of blood glucose. Exercise is a key intervention that can modulate the HPA axis and help manage stress.
Methods
Fifty-eight women (aged between 40-50), diagnosed with T2DM for at least 5 years but medically stable with moderate to high stress scores were randomised to either aerobic training (AT) or aerobic exercise combined with slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation (DMM) training three times weekly over 6-weeks.
AT group performed aerobic exercise on a treadmill at an intensity of 60%– 75% of the maximum heart rate for a total of 40 min, including a 5 minute warm up and 5 min cool down.
AT + DMM group performed a combination of aerobic exercise as per the AT group followed by a total of 10 minutes of diaphragmatic slow, deep breathing; and mindfulness meditation.
Results
Both groups showed a change from baseline in serum cortisol to p<0.0001
At 6 weeks in the AT + DMM group, the primary outcome of serum cortisol (nmol/L) levels was 12.59 nmol/L [95% CI 4.45-6.52] a decrease of 30.29% and the fasting blood glucose levels (secondary outcome) was 136.37mg/dl (95% CI: 9.19–2.6) a decrease of 14.54%
In the AT group performing only aerobic exercise decreased serum cortisol levels by 20.16% and FBG levels decreased by 9.97%.
Conclusion
This study showed that combining slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation with aerobic exercise reduced the serum cortisol (p = 0.01) and FBG levels (p = 0.001) in women with T2DM compared to when only aerobic training was performed.
Clinical practice applications:
Consider a combined therapy approach with diaphragmatic breathing exercises and aerobic exercises that targets both the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems, as this may have a synergistic effect to assist with maintaining normal blood sugar levels and cortisol levels in individuals with T2DM.
Considerations for future research:
Future research is needed to determine the most effective combination of therapies for managing both FBG and serum cortisol levels in individuals with T2DM.
Abstract
Background: Aerobic exercise combined with breathing exercise can be an integral part of diabetes mellitus treatment. This single-center, randomized, parallel-group study investigated the effect of the combination of aerobic exercise with slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation on the glucose and cortisol levels of women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight middle-aged women with T2DM (mean age: 45.67 ± 2.92 years) were randomly assigned to either the aerobic training group (AT: n = 29; mean age [46.1 ± 2.7 years]) or the aerobic exercise combined with slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation (AT + DMM: n = 29; mean age [45.24 ± 3.14 years]). Aerobic exercise was performed at 60%-75% of the maximum heart rate. The women in each group were asked to perform the training three times weekly over a 6-week period. The duration of each session was 40 min for the AT group and 60 min for the AT + DMM group. The two groups were asked to perform aerobic exercise at 60%-75% of the maximum heart rate. Their fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum cortisol levels were measured at the baseline and after the 6 weeks. Results: Compared with the AT group, the group undertaking 6 weeks of aerobic training combined with slow, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation showed significantly lower levels of FBG (p = 0.001) and cortisol levels (p = 0.01) than the AT group. Conclusion: The addition of slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation to aerobic exercise can better control the glucose and cortisol levels of women with T2DM and thereby improve their outcomes and decrease their cardiometabolic risk.
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The influence of macronutrient intake, stress and prostaglandin levels (pgf2α) of urine with the incidence of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.
Tahir, A, Sinrang, AW, Jusuf, EC, Syamsuddin, S, Stang, Arsyad, A
Gaceta sanitaria. 2021;35 Suppl 2:S298-S301
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Dysmenorrhea is a health problem that has a negative impact on the physical and emotional aspects of health. It also causes absenteeism in school that affects academic performance. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of macronutrient intake, stress, and prostaglandin levels (pgf2α) on adolescent dysmenorrhea incidence. This study is an observational cohort study of 16 years old adolescents with a menstrual cycle every 21–35 days and a menstrual period of about 5–7 days. Results show that: - levels of pgf2α affect the incidence of dysmenorrhea i.e., prostaglandins can reduce or temporarily inhibit blood supply to the uterus, causing the uterus to lack oxygen and cause myometrium contraction which in turn causes pain. - stress is very influential with dysmenorrhea as it can interfere with the work of the endocrine system. - an insufficient intake of nutrients may increase the risk of dysmenorrhoea. Thus, adolescents should ensure adequate intake of macronutrients especially during menstruation. Authors conclude that stress and prostaglandin levels significantly affect the occurrence of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to analyze the influence of macronutrient intake, stress, and prostaglandin levels (pgf2α) on adolescent dysmenorrhea incidence. METHOD This type of study is observational analytic with a cohort study draft done in January-March 2020 at High junior school 21 Makassar. Respondents in this study were grade X and XI students divided into 64 teenagers who had dysmenorrhea and 64 adolescents who did not experience Dysmenrhea. The criteria of the respondent in this study were the reproductive age, already experiencing menstruation, knowing the time and date of menstruation, menstrual cycles were regular, and willing to be respondents. The study used Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (MSQ) and used an ultrasonography (ultrasound) examination to perform the sample cervical. Food recall 24 hours to assess the intake of macronutrients, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 42) to measure stress levels, and an examination of urine prostaglandin levels using the method Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Urine intake is carried out on the second day as much as 2-5cc. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square test and logistics regression backward. RESULT A multivariate analysis showed a variable that strongly affects dysmenorrhea is stress with the value p=0.000 and the level of prostaglandins with p-value=0.003 compared to other variables. CONCLUSION Stress and prostaglandin levels significantly affect the occurrence of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.
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Melatonin: Roles in influenza, Covid-19, and other viral infections.
Anderson, G, Reiter, RJ
Reviews in medical virology. 2020;30(3):e2109
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Viruses like influenza and coronaviruses change quickly, making it challenging to develop effective treatments and vaccines in a short time frame. Consequently, the use of generic substances that limit viral effects are of high interest. In this paper, the authors summarize a range of mechanisms in which melatonin can alter the impact of virus infections and infection-associated inflammatory overdrive aka cytokine storm. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is well known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It seems highly likely that melatonin can modulate the cellular function of all cells, mostly via mitochondrial function. This is particularly relevant in immune cells. For example, the daytime variance in immune function seems to be closely linked with mitochondrial activity and energy production. Other relevant mechanisms described are the antiviral role of melatonin-induced sirtuins - proteins that regulate cellular health-, the impact of viruses on cell coordinating microRNA, the role of the gut microbiome and gut permeability, as well as sympathetic nervous system activation and the protective effects of parasympathetic activation. Also considered are pre-existing health conditions and conditions that are linked with a decline in melatonin along with ageing, all being groups in which severity of viral infections is felt. This paper may be of interest to those who like to explore in more depth the mechanisms behind melatonin and its ability to influence viral disease progression.
Abstract
There is a growing appreciation that the regulation of the melatonergic pathways, both pineal and systemic, may be an important aspect in how viruses drive the cellular changes that underpin their control of cellular function. We review the melatonergic pathway role in viral infections, emphasizing influenza and covid-19 infections. Viral, or preexistent, suppression of pineal melatonin disinhibits neutrophil attraction, thereby contributing to an initial "cytokine storm", as well as the regulation of other immune cells. Melatonin induces the circadian gene, Bmal1, which disinhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), countering viral inhibition of Bmal1/PDC. PDC drives mitochondrial conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), thereby increasing the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP production. Pineal melatonin suppression attenuates this, preventing the circadian "resetting" of mitochondrial metabolism. This is especially relevant in immune cells, where shifting metabolism from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation, switches cells from reactive to quiescent phenotypes. Acetyl-CoA is a necessary cosubstrate for arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, providing an acetyl group to serotonin, and thereby initiating the melatonergic pathway. Consequently, pineal melatonin regulates mitochondrial melatonin and immune cell phenotype. Virus- and cytokine-storm-driven control of the pineal and mitochondrial melatonergic pathway therefore regulates immune responses. Virus-and cytokine storm-driven changes also increase gut permeability and dysbiosis, thereby suppressing levels of the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, and increasing circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The alterations in butyrate and LPS can promote viral replication and host symptom severity via impacts on the melatonergic pathway. Focussing on immune regulators has treatment implications for covid-19 and other viral infections.
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Genetic risk-factors for anxiety in healthy individuals: polymorphisms in genes important for the HPA axis.
Lindholm, H, Morrison, I, Krettek, A, Malm, D, Novembre, G, Handlin, L
BMC medical genetics. 2020;21(1):184
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Anxiety is a complex disorder that involves alterations in hormones secreted from glands in the brain. Genetic variations in these hormones can mean that some individuals are more susceptible to anxiety disorders. The aim of this observational study was to investigate possible relationships between genetic changes in brain hormones and anxiety in 72 individuals. The results showed that women were more likely than men to report feelings of anxiety and there were several relationships between genetic variations in brain hormones and self-reported measures of anxiety. It was concluded that genetic variations in brain hormones are associated with anxiety disorders in healthy individuals. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand how genetics could play a role in anxiety and that certain genes could be used to identify individuals at risk of anxiety disorders.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two important aspects for the development of anxiety disorders are genetic predisposition and alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In order to identify genetic risk-factors for anxiety, the aim of this exploratory study was to investigate possible relationships between genetic polymorphisms in genes important for the regulation and activity of the HPA axis and self-assessed anxiety in healthy individuals. METHODS DNA from 72 healthy participants, 37 women and 35 men, were included in the analyses. Their DNA was extracted and analysed for the following Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP)s: rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene, rs1360780 in the FKBP5 gene, rs53576 in the OXTR gene, 5-HTTLPR in SLC6A4 gene and rs6295 in the HTR1A gene. Self-assessed anxiety was measured by the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. RESULTS Self-assessed measure of both STAI-S and STAI-T were significantly higher in female than in male participants (p = 0.030 and p = 0.036, respectively). For SNP rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene, there was a significant difference in females in the score for STAI-S, where carriers of the G allele had higher scores compared to the females that were homozygous for the C allele (p < 0.01). For the SNP rs53576 in the OXTR gene, there was a significant difference in males, where carriers of the A allele had higher scores in STAI-T compared to the males that were homozygous for the G allele (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION This study shows that SNP rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene and SNP rs53576 in the OXTR gene are associated with self-assessed anxiety in healthy individuals in a gender-specific manner. This suggests that these SNP candidates are possible genetic risk-factors for anxiety.
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Anxiety reduction through art therapy in women. Exploring stress regulation and executive functioning as underlying neurocognitive mechanisms.
Abbing, A, de Sonneville, L, Baars, E, Bourne, D, Swaab, H
PloS one. 2019;14(12):e0225200
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Anxiety treatments currently involve medication and changing an individual’s beliefs through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Art therapy (AT) is often used as a CBT treatment strategy, although little is known about its effectiveness. This randomised control trial of 47 adult women with anxiety aimed to understand the role of AT in anxiety treatment over three months. The results showed improvements in self-reported measures of anxiety, the ability to control emotions, memory and the ability to manage tasks with AT, however subjects were just as susceptible to stress following treatment. It was concluded that anxiety reduction was related to improvements in emotions, memory and task management and this was as a result of AT. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to recommend AT to individuals with symptoms of anxiety as part of their treatment management plan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore possible working mechanisms of anxiety reduction in women with anxiety disorders, treated with art therapy (AT). METHODS A RCT comparing AT versus waiting list (WL) condition on aspects of self-regulation. Stress regulation (heart rate and heart rate variability) and executive functioning (daily behavioural and cognitive performance aspects of executive functioning (EF)) were evaluated in a pre-post design. Participants were women, aged 18-65 years with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. RESULTS Effectiveness of AT compared to WL was demonstrated in a higher resting HRV post treatment, improvements in aspects of self-reported daily EF (emotion control, working memory, plan/organize and task monitor), but not in cognitive performance of EF, stress responsiveness and down regulation of stress. The decrease in anxiety level was associated with improvements in self-reported daily EF. CONCLUSIONS AT improves resting HRV and aspects of EF, the latter was associated with art therapy-related anxiety reduction.
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A Large Randomized Trial: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Breast Cancer (BC) Survivors on Salivary Cortisol and IL-6.
Lengacher, CA, Reich, RR, Paterson, CL, Shelton, M, Shivers, S, Ramesar, S, Pleasant, ML, Budhrani-Shani, P, Groer, M, Post-White, J, et al
Biological research for nursing. 2019;21(1):39-49
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Breast cancer survivors (BCS) often experience physiological and psychological stressors related to their diagnosis and treatment, and a disruption of cortisol function can affect cancer risk and progression. Increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory immune mediator, have been associated with acute and chronic stress levels. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a clinical stress-reducing program, which has been found to decrease psychological and physical symptoms associated with stress. The purpose of this randomised study, involving 299 BCS, was to evaluate the efficacy of MBSR in reducing cortisol and IL-6 levels, compared to a usual-care control treatment. Statistically significant reductions in cortisol levels were seen after the delivery of the MBSR program at both time points (week 1 and 6), and at week 6 only for IL-6. There was no significant difference in change in cortisol or IL6 levels over time between the MBSR and the usual-care groups. An association was observed between levels of IL-6 and psychological and physical symptoms and quality of life, but not for cortisol. The authors conclude that MBSR can alleviate the stress response in the short term for breast cancer survivors.
Abstract
Breast cancer survivors (BCS) often experience psychological and physiological symptoms after cancer treatment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a complementary and alternative therapy, has reduced subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and fatigue among BCS. Little is known, however, about how MBSR affects objective markers of stress, specifically the stress hormone cortisol and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). In the present study, BCS ( N = 322) were randomly assigned to a 6-week MBSR program for BC or usual-care control. Measurements of cortisol, IL-6, symptoms, and quality of life were obtained at orientation and 6 weeks. Cortisol and IL-6 were also measured prior to and after the MBSR(BC) class Weeks 1 and 6. The mean age of participants was 56.6 years and 69.4% were White non-Hispanic. Most had Stage I (33.8%) or II (35.7%) BC, and 35.7% had received chemotherapy and radiation. Cortisol levels were reduced immediately following MBSR(BC) class compared to before the class Weeks 1 and 6 (Wilcoxon-signed rank test; p < .01, d = .52-.56). IL-6 was significantly reduced from pre- to postclass at Week 6 (Wilcoxon-signed rank test; p < .01, d = .21). No differences were observed between the MBSR(BC) and control groups from baseline to Week 6 using linear mixed models. Significant relationships with small effect sizes were observed between IL-6 and both symptoms and quality of life in both groups. Results support the use of MBSR(BC) to reduce salivary cortisol and IL-6 levels in the short term in BCS.
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The association of diabetes-related self-care activities with perceived stress, anxiety, and fatigue: a cross-sectional study.
Zhao, FF, Suhonen, R, Katajisto, J, Leino-Kilpi, H
Patient preference and adherence. 2018;12:1677-1686
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Diabetes treatments rely on the individual’s ability to perform diabetes-related self-care activities (DRSCA), which involves tasks such as medication adherence, regulating diet, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring and foot care, however it appears that many individuals do not perform one or all of these tasks. Reasons why have been investigated, but remain insufficient. In this cross-sectional study of 248 individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) DRSCA was investigated in relation to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. The results showed that there was evidence of mid-level performance of DRSCA activities and performing DRSCA activities was likely to reduce stress levels but was not related to anxiety or fatigue. Individuals who had T2D for more than 5 years and women were more likely to have anxiety. Interestingly in contradiction to previous studies, support from outside sources did not affect levels of stress, anxiety and fatigue. It was concluded that improving the level of DRSCA may reduce stress. The fact that the performance of DRSCA was not related to anxiety may be because these activities impose restrictions on patients’ lives. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that the performance of DRSCA may reduce stress levels, however as this study was an observational study, direct causal relationships are hard to determine.
Abstract
PURPOSE Many people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) do not sustain sufficient diabetes-related self-care activities (DRSCA) in their daily lives. To provide additional information about the positive influence of DRSCA, this study was conducted to examine whether DRSCA were associated with reduced perceived stress, anxiety, and fatigue among people with T2DM and to explore the level of DRSCA, perceived stress, anxiety, and fatigue and their association with background information. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was a cross-sectional survey including 251 participants aged 18 years and older recruited from two hospitals in the eastern part of China. The study utilized self-report questionnaires that consisted of background information, DRSCA, perceived stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the association of DRSCA with perceived stress, anxiety, and fatigue while adjusting for background information. RESULTS The results indicated that the level of self-care activities, stress, and fatigue was around middle level. The prevalence of anxiety was 19%. A high level of DRSCA was likely to reduce perceived stress but was not linked to anxiety and fatigue. Women were more susceptible to stress and anxiety, and people who had diabetes for >5 years were more likely to have anxiety. The background information included diabetes duration, standardized diabetes education, and high social support, all of which are factors that may influence DRSCA. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that improving the level of DRSCA might effectively reduce perceived stress. The potential benefits of DRSCA can provide both motivational and evaluative data for self-care programs. In addition, the findings show that DRSCA were not linked to anxiety and fatigue, which implies that their positive influence on anxiety and fatigue may be offset by the load of frequent DRSCA. It is suggested that helping patients to make tailored plans to integrate DRSCA into their daily lives is needed. Meanwhile, in the background information, it is suggested that standardized diabetes education and high social support can benefit DRSCA; in improving psychological health, more attention should be paid to women and patients with diabetes duration <5 years.
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A mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress in university students (the Mindful Student Study): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.
Galante, J, Dufour, G, Vainre, M, Wagner, AP, Stochl, J, Benton, A, Lathia, N, Howarth, E, Jones, PB
The Lancet. Public health. 2018;3(2):e72-e81
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There has been a recent increase in students accessing university counselling services, though the reasons for this are currently unclear. Mindfulness-based stress reduction has gained increased attention as evidence has shown mindfulness training can improve anxiety and depression. The aim of this trial was to therefore assess whether a mindfulness course, Mindfulness Skills for Students (MSS), would improve university students’ resilience to stress. Participants were randomly assigned to either enrol in the 8-week MSS course alongside mental health support or receive mental health support alone. A total of 449 participants completed the study and self-reported psychological distress was the primary outcome. Students enrolled in MSS showed reduced distress scores during the examination period compared with those receiving support as usual. Based on these results, the authors conclude that offering mindfulness training could be an effective, feasible component of a wider university mental health strategies. Further controlled studies are required to better understand preventative mental health interventions for students.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rising number of young people going to university has led to concerns about an increasing demand for student mental health services. We aimed to assess whether provision of mindfulness courses to university students would improve their resilience to stress. METHODS We did this pragmatic randomised controlled trial at the University of Cambridge, UK. Students aged 18 years or older with no severe mental illness or crisis (self-assessed) were randomly assigned (1:1), via remote survey software using computer-generated random numbers, to receive either an 8 week mindfulness course adapted for university students (Mindfulness Skills for Students [MSS]) plus mental health support as usual, or mental health support as usual alone. Participants and the study management team were aware of group allocation, but allocation was concealed from the researchers, outcome assessors, and study statistician. The primary outcome was self-reported psychological distress during the examination period, as measured with the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), with higher scores indicating more distress. The primary analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12615001160527. FINDINGS Between Sept 28, 2015, and Jan 15, 2016, we randomly assigned 616 students to the MSS group (n=309) or the support as usual group (n=307). 453 (74%) participants completed the CORE-OM during the examination period and 182 (59%) MSS participants completed at least half of the course. MSS reduced distress scores during the examination period compared with support as usual, with mean CORE-OM scores of 0·87 (SD 0·50) in 237 MSS participants versus 1·11 (0·57) in 216 support as usual participants (adjusted mean difference -0·14, 95% CI -0·22 to -0·06; p=0·001), showing a moderate effect size (β -0·44, 95% CI -0·60 to -0·29; p<0·0001). 123 (57%) of 214 participants in the support as usual group had distress scores above an accepted clinical threshold compared with 88 (37%) of 235 participants in the MSS group. On average, six students (95% CI four to ten) needed to be offered the MSS course to prevent one from experiencing clinical levels of distress. No participants had adverse reactions related to self-harm, suicidality, or harm to others. INTERPRETATION Our findings show that provision of mindfulness training could be an effective component of a wider student mental health strategy. Further comparative effectiveness research with inclusion of controls for non-specific effects is needed to define a range of additional, effective interventions to increase resilience to stress in university students. FUNDING University of Cambridge and National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East of England.