Adolescent Stress Treatment Study: A Cluster Randomized Trial

Abstract

High school students experience a variety of stressors. Mental health issues are critical to their health. The “Adolescent Stress Treatment (AST) Study: A Cluster Randomized Trial” compared the efficacy of two stress reduction devices, the EnergyPod™ and the SleepWing™. The EnergyPod™ is a device that provides a semiprivate acoustical and visual environment for rest, stress reduction, and sleep. The SleepWing™ is a smaller device offering similar benefits. High school students were offered the opportunity to participate in the AST study when they exhibited signs of agitation. The students completed the Profile of Mood States–Short Form (POMS-SF) pre- and postintervention. Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) was measured from the POMS-SF and significant improvement postintervention ( p < .001), regardless of intervention used. POMS-SF subscales were all significantly improved no matter which device was used. All participants in the study dramatically improved their mood after being in either therapeutic device.