An interventional study of Standard Physical Therapy and Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy in Burnout Syndrome, sponsored by University of Health Sciences Lahore. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-02.
Sponsored by University of Health Sciences Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a mindfulness-based physical therapy intervention can reduce burnout syndrome and improve musculoskeletal pain and quality of life among undergraduate Allied Health Sciences students aged 18-30 years who are experiencing burnout symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and reduced quality of life.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare a Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy intervention group to a control group receiving a standardized physical therapy program to determine whether the addition of mindfulness techniques results in greater improvements in burnout, pain, and quality of life.
Participants will:
Burnout and musculoskeletal pain are common issues affecting university students, often resulting from prolonged stress, poor posture, and high academic demands. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress, enhance resilience, and improve mental well-being. Physical therapy interventions, including exercise and rehabilitative techniques, target musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations. Combining mindfulness with physical therapy may provide a holistic, non-invasive approach to improving both mental and physical health in students.
This study evaluates the impact of a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program on burnout syndrome, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life among undergraduate Allied Health Sciences students aged 18-30 years. Participants will engage in a six-week program supervised by trained professionals, incorporating mindfulness exercises, stretching, posture correction, progressive muscle relaxation, and home practice. The control group will receive standard physical therapy, allowing the study to assess the additional benefits of the mindfulness component.
The findings of this trial may provide evidence for a low-cost, integrative intervention that universities can implement to support student health and wellness. If effective, MBPT could serve as a model for combined mind-body programs, helping to reduce burnout, improve functional capacity, and enhance quality of life, potentially contributing to better academic performance and long-term health outcomes. This research addresses a gap in the literature on combined mindfulness and physical therapy interventions for university populations and may inform the development of future student wellness initiatives.
442 studies on the registry are indexed under Burnout, Psychological; 106 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 55 is below the median of 80 across 319 interventional studies indexed under Burnout, Psychological.
Browse Burnout, Psychological studies →University of Health Sciences Lahore is the lead sponsor of 77 studies on the registry; 49 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The control group will receive a standardized baseline physical therapy program consisting of supervised full-body active range of motion exercises and general mobility exercises (shoulder rolls, arm swings, and pelvic tilts) throughout the study duration. All exercises will be performed within pain-free limit
Behavioral: Standard Physical Therapy
The intervention group will undergo a standardized baseline physical therapy program followed by a structured Mindfulness-Based Physical Therapy (MBPT) program delivered over six consecutive weeks, three supervised 60-minute sessions per week, under the guidance of a registered physical therapist. Participants will also be instructed to perform daily home practice for 10-15 minutes.
Behavioral: Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy
A supervised physical therapy program consisting of full-body active range of motion and general mobility exercises, including shoulder rolls, arm swings, and pelvic tilts, performed within pain-free limits.
Mindfulness Based Physical Therapy is a structured program combining supervised physical therapy exercises with mindfulness practices. The intervention includes guided mindfulness meditation (body scan and breath awareness), diaphragmatic and paced breathing exercises, posture correction and ergonomic education, gentle stretching of the neck, shoulders, and back, and progressive muscle relaxation. Sessions are delivered three times per week for six weeks under the supervision of a registered physiotherapist. Participants are also instructed to complete daily home practice incorporating mindfulness and stretching techniques.
Change in Burnout Score
The primary outcome is the change in student burnout, measured with the School Burnout Inventory (SBI), which evaluates three domains: exhaustion related to study demands, cynicism toward academic work, and sense of inadequacy as a student. Higher scores indicate greater burnout. The School Burnout Inventory is a nine item scale, that utilizes a 6- point Likert scale, resulting in a minimum total score of 9 and a maximum total score of 54. The study will assess the mean subscale scores at baseline and Week 6. A decrease in scores indicates a reduction in burnout symptoms following the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Reduction in Musculoskeletal Pain
Musculoskeletal pain will be evaluated using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), which assesses the presence and location of musculoskeletal pain or discomfort over the past 7 days and past 12 months. It is primarily a categorical screening tool reporting prevalence as "Yes" or "No" for symptoms in nine anatomical regions. Pain levels will be recorded at baseline and Week 6. A reduction in reported symptoms will indicate improvement due to the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Improvement in Quality of Life
Quality of life will be assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), which measures physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. It is a 26 item scale in which raw scores are typically transformed into a linear scale ranging from 0 (minimum value) to 100 (maximum value). Higher scores indicate better quality of life. Scores will be collected at baseline and Week 6. An increase in domain scores will indicate improvement following the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Plan to share: Undecided
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This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Health Sciences Lahore