A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Walking Meditation Intervention (iWalk) to Enhance Resilience in Adults
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary
This study is a randomized controlled trial of the walking meditation intervention (iWalk) program, a multi-component intervention integrating walking meditation, education, and group sessions designed to enhance resilience in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objectives are to evaluate: 1. Recruitment capability and retention rates, 2. Acceptability and adherence to the intervention, 3. Feasibility of assessment procedures, and 4. Preliminary effects on psychological, physiological, and behavioral outcomes.
Description
The iWalk Program is an 8-week, multi-component behavioral intervention integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction and walking meditation to promote resilience and self-regulation in people with MS. The intervention combines weekly educational content, guided walking meditation, and group reflection delivered both in-person and virtually. Participants in the experimental group will attend three one-hour sessions per week (two via Zoom, one in-person) focusing on mindfulness, interoception, emotional regulation, and positive coping. The waitlist control group will receive usual care during…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–110 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18 years or older, 2. clinical diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, etc., 3. have not practiced meditation regularly (e.g., 10 mins per day) and have never attended any meditation classes or community programs, 4. never received meditation training via coaching/certification/life coaching, 5. have internet access, 6. with no severe cognitive impairment, i.e., have a score of ≥ 21 on Modified Telephonic Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M), 7. be able to walk with or without an assistive…
Interventions
- BehavioraliWalk Program
A multi-component behavioral program integrating walking meditation, education, and group sessions to enhance resilience and stress regulation in adults with and without chronic conditions.
Location
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana, Illinois