LUST - Lübeck University Students Trial - is a prospective longitudinal study in which we survey all UzL students about mental stress, study-related risk factors and resources both at the beginning of their studies and once a year.
LUST has been around since 2011! It is the longest ongoing study on student health in Germany and therefore unique in the German higher education landscape! It also forms the foundation of student health in Lübeck.
LUST includes a fixed question section with questions on stress levels (PSS), mental stress (BSI-18), study behavior (AVEM), exercise and nutrition, as well as a variable question section that can be adapted to current research questions. In this way, the LUST study makes it possible to monitor mental stress and resources during studies in the long term and at the same time react flexibly to new topics relating to student health.
Become part of the LUST success story! The prerequisite is that you are enrolled as a student at the University of Lübeck. Every June, all students receive an invitation to take part in the LUST study via email, posters, flyers and social media. You can access the questionnaire via a QR code. You will receive a 5 euro voucher for participating.
File number of the Ethics Committee of the University of Lübeck: 11-010
What are the results of the LUST study? The LUST to go format is dedicated to this question. We want to inform you briefly and informatively about the exciting results of the LUST study. Current and previous issues can be found here.
Scientific review of the effectiveness of the addisca course
As part of the scientific monitoring, we are examining the feasibility and effectiveness of the addisca training (you can find more information about the training here).
The addisca training teaches techniques from metacognitive therapy that help us to better manage our thoughts, worries or fears and also to avoid putting off important tasks, such as studying or preparing a presentation, until the last minute with a guilty conscience. The aim of the accompanying research is to examine whether the training demonstrably improves metacognitive skills and reduces study-related stress. We carried out a pilot project with medical students back in 2017. With very positive results: Group training to improve stress management in medical students. We are now expanding both the training and the accompanying scientific study to all degree programs. In a longitudinal study, both course participants and control students will be surveyed using questionnaires on their well-being, stress levels and metacognitive skills both before the course begins and at fixed points after the course.
Project start: 2020
Project partner This project is being carried out in collaboration with addisca gGmbH and is funded by Techniker Krankenkasse.
Reference number of the University of Lübeck Ethics Committee 16-334
Scientific review of the effectiveness of the examination course
As part of the scientific monitoring, we are examining the feasibility and effectiveness of the examination course (further information on the training can be found here). The examination course is an offer from the UGM for UzL students to improve their self-management skills. The aim of the accompanying study is to examine the extent to which the course can reduce study-related stress and strengthen self-management skills. In a controlled longitudinal survey, both course participants and control students will be asked about their stress levels, self-regulation, procrastination and self-efficacy expectations.
Project start: 2023
File number of the Ethics Committee of the University of Lübeck 2023-388
Scientific monitoring of (Aus-)Zeit für mich: Introduction to Mind-Body Medicine
As scientists, we are always interested in a scientific review of the effectiveness of our courses. That is why we have also scientifically monitored our MBM courses.
MBM courses were offered every semester during the project. Those participants who agreed to take part in this study, as well as control subjects who were matched in terms of gender and degree program, were surveyed about their well-being and stress levels before the course, directly after the course and 6 and 12 months after the end of the course using online questionnaires. The questionnaires also included questions on mindfulness in everyday life. Furthermore, focus groups were planned to deepen the findings.
The aim of this study was to scientifically test the effectiveness of our MBM courses "(Aus-)Zeit für mich" with regard to students' mindfulness and the influence of increased mindfulness on well-being and stress experience.
This project was funded by the Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance company.
Reference number of the ethics committee of the University of Lübeck 20-351
Doctors healthy? - Predictors of health and well-being among doctors in Schleswig-Holstein as a basis for health-promoting interventions
Doctors look after the health of others every day - but what about their own health and well-being? What do they do to maintain their health? Where is there potential for relief in everyday medical practice? The PRÄVENT research project in cooperation with the Institute of General Practice and the Schleswig-Holstein Medical Association is dedicated to answering these questions.
The PRÄVENT project investigates various facets of doctors' health. The central research question examines which risks and resources can be identified for the health and well-being of doctors. Furthermore, the measures practiced by doctors for personal health promotion and what they would like to see in the context of further medical training are recorded. In addition, the study examines which structural changes offer realistic potential for reducing the burden on everyday medical work.
The findings are intended to help develop structural improvements in healthcare and design targeted interventions to promote doctors' health. In addition, the research results provide a valuable basis for anchoring preventive strategies in medical studies - an important step for the long-term health promotion of future doctors.
Reduction of sedentary behavior and increasing of the concentration and physical well-being of students in the university setting.
This research project investigates ways of designing healthy learning scenarios for students. The interventions focus on measures to promote physical activity in courses. Approaches for infrastructural improvements and didactic concepts are to be derived from the findings and implemented on a permanent basis.
Gesundes Lernen (Healthy Learning) in the university library by reducing sedentary behavior and increasing concentration as well as physical and mental well-being while using study booths.
Like the "ReSet" project, this research project is also investigating further possibilities for designing healthy learning scenarios for students. To this end, some of the study booths in the university library were further developed and converted. The focus is on both ergonomics and technical equipment. An accompanying study will provide insights into the acceptance and health effects of student use.
Testat reduced teaching to stimulate intrinsic motivation
In a prospective, randomized, controlled intervention study, three groups were examined in relation to the development of mental stress and academic performance in the anatomy dissection course in the first year of preclinical medicine (winter and summer semester 2021/22).
A control group, in which every student was tested weekly according to the previous standard, was contrasted with two intervention groups. These either received a stress management course in advance or were informed at the end of the weekly preparation session after a friendly discussion about the content covered in the session as to whether their preparation was assessed as good or in need of improvement. It was the responsibility of the students in this intervention group to draw conclusions from the feedback.
This project followed the idea of resource-oriented encouragement, which promotes intrinsic willingness to learn and academic self-efficacy expectations, as well as reducing psychosocial stress.
Psychometric parameters of mental stress were collected at ten measurement points. Mental health risks and resources were also qualitatively examined in three focus groups. The partial results of the written and oral parts of the first section of the medical examination were used as performance parameters.
The results of the study were published: bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-024-05640-7
Reference number of the Ethics Committee of the University of Lübeck 21-313