SKY Breath Meditation for Stress and Well‑being in College Students

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized pilot will assign 56 undergraduate and graduate students to either an eight-week SKY (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga) breathwork program or a control group using self-paced online yoga without breathwork. The SKY group begins with a three-day in-person retreat, followed by weekly virtual sessions and independent home practice, while controls receive online videos and occasional check-ins. Primary outcomes are feasibility measures (recruitment, retention, and adherence) and secondary outcomes include changes in physical activity, perceived stress (PSS), anxiety (GAD-7), resilience, social connectedness, and cognitive focus measured with validated questionnaires at baseline and post-intervention. Data will be analyzed using intent-to-treat methods to inform the design of future, larger trials.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must:

  1. be currently enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students at the university in Alabama;
  2. be at least 18 years old;
  3. speak and read English;
  4. be available to attend a 3-day in-person retreat and twice-weekly online sessions for SKY breath program over 8 weeks;
  5. be able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants will be excluded if they:

  1. have a serious psychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia, psychotic disorders) that could be exacerbated by group-based interventions;
  2. are in acute psychiatric crisis; such as, active suicidal ideation
  3. have acute medical conditions that contraindicate light physical activity or breathwork;
  4. are unable to obtain physician clearance for participation due to chronic conditions (e.g., uncontrolled asthma, severe cardiovascular disease, active psychiatric illness requiring intensive treatment).

Where it's running

• University of Alabama
  Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sree K Patiballa, PhD
• Email: spatiballa@ua.edu
• Phone: 205-348-6163

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.