The Effects of Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on Young Adolescents in Primary School. Α One-Arm Clinical Trial

Author(s): Orsalia Gerakini, Marilena Panagiotou, Ioanna-Maria Velegraki, Flora Bacopoulou, Maria Charalampopoulou Panagiotis Sideris, George P. Chrousos, Christina Darviri*

Objectives: Stress during the critical developmental phase of adolescence could place youth at risk for adverse health outcomes. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the effects of a novel cognitive-based stress management intervention named Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI) on stress (primary outcome measure), anxiety, quality of life, sleep quality, eating behavior and bullying behavior (secondary outcomes measures), of young adolescents. In this one arm clinical trial, students of the 6th grade in a primary school participated in the PSAI for 8 weeks.

Methods: Self-report questionnaires and hair cortisol concentrations were used for the evaluation of the aforementioned variables at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistic methods were used for the statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 39pupils with mean age 12 (21 boys and 18 girls) participated in the study. Following the intervention, adolescents experienced statistically significant reduction in stress (p=0.00), state anxiety (p=0.03), bullying (PRQBully p=0.00, PRQVictim, p<0.001, PRQ Prosocial p=0.00), and increase in healthy lifestyle patterns (24-hour routine, physical exercise, bedtime, nightmares, Mediterranean diet) from baseline. No statistically significant difference was reported regarding trait anxiety. There was also a statistically significant decrease in body mass index (p=0.00) and an increase in median cortisol hair concentration (p=0.00) post-intervention.

Conclusions: The PSAI was a feasible and effective stress management and health promotion method for young adolescents in the school setting. Future large randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up are needed to verify these findings.