The goal of this study is to better understand the potential value of reducing stress to ameliorate a cluster of biological and behavioral factors implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. These factors include psychological distress, poor sleep quality, and exaggerated physiological responses to emotional stress. Results will be used to develop an innovative brief intervention to reduce risk for CVD by improving sleep quality, ameliorating psychological distress, and attenuating stress physiology.
This study will be conducted among 200 men and women participating in 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) classes at Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. The central hypothesis of this NIH-funded clinical trial (R00 AT004945, PI: Greeson) is that mindfulness meditation training is associated with increased levels of mindfulness and improved cognitive-emotional functioning that, together, are associated with reduced psychological distress, improved sleep quality, and less exaggerated physiological responses to emotional stress, including blood pressure and inflammation. This study is designed to examine psychological and biological mechanisms that may explain individual differences in MBSR outcomes. This knowledge is important because it will help us better understand who is most likely to benefit from mindfulness meditation training, and why. The results from this study are expected to elucidate mechanisms underlying the mental and physical health benefits of stress reduction, which can help guide clinicians in referring the most suitable patients to local MBSR programs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
87
The MBSR program consists of 8 weekly classes that last for 2.5 hours each and a commitment to daily meditation practice for the duration of the course. Classes include didactic instruction on mindfulness and its relationship to stress and health, guided meditation practices, and group discussion. Mindfulness meditation practices include awareness of breathing, awareness of emotions, body scan, mindful hatha yoga, mindful walking, mindful eating, mindful listening, and lovingkindness (metta). Participants are expected to practice formal meditation outside of class for 20-45 min per day, 6 days per week. In addition, participants are encouraged apply mindfulness to everyday activities like eating, communicating with others, and hobbies. Written materials and audio CDs with guided meditations and yoga are provided. The course also includes one full day (7-hours) of meditation on a Saturday following the 6th week of class.
The MBSR program consists of 8 weekly classes that last for 2.5 hours each and a commitment to daily meditation practice for the duration of the course. Classes include didactic instruction on mindfulness and its relationship to stress and health, guided meditation practices, and group discussion. Mindfulness meditation practices include awareness of breathing, awareness of emotions, body scan, mindful hatha yoga, mindful walking, mindful eating, mindful listening, and lovingkindness (metta). Participants are expected to practice formal meditation outside of class for 20-45 min per day, 6 days per week. In addition, participants are encouraged apply mindfulness to everyday activities like eating, communicating with others, and hobbies. Written materials and audio CDs with guided meditations and yoga are provided. The course also includes one full day (7-hours) of meditation on a Saturday following the 6th week of class.
Duke Integrative Medicine
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Sleep quality
Sleep quality will be assessed using 3 different methods: daily sleep diaries, questionnaires and actigraphy.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Stress physiology
Physiological responses to mild emotional stress (5-minute Anger Recall Task) will be assessed in the laboratory before and after participating in an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. During the stress testing sessions, we will take measures of heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones, metabolism, inflammation, emotions, and mindful qualities.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Mindfulness
Mindful qualities, including observing, describing, non-judging, non-reactivity, acting with awareness, mindfulness, self-kindness, and common humanity.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Health-related quality of life
Global health rating; physical functioning; fatigue; satisfaction with social role; pain intensity and pain-related interference with daily activities.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Negative Affect
Anxiety; anger; depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Cognitive functioning
Cognitive abilities and concerns, including attention, concentration, memory, organization, and clarity of thinking.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Emotion regulation
Rumination; avoidance; suppression; reappraisal.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
Stress-related physical symptoms
Common physical symptoms associated with stress, including muscle tension, gastrointestinal complaints, headaches, etc.
Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (2 months), follow-up (8 months)
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