The purpose of the study is to investigate health-promoting and stress-reducing psychological, physiological and hormonal effects of a 9-week meditation-based course in personal health and to examine potential baseline factors for any such effects. Thus, the investigators will investigate the course format (individual course or group-based course) as a potential factor the course outcome, and also individual background factors such as demographics and genetic variations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
72
The Open and Calm intervention is based on a standardized 9-week program. Week 1 uses a simple mantra-based meditation. Week 2 and 5 uses focus on the body. Week 3 and 6 uses focus on thoughts and emotions. Week 4 and 7 uses focus on social relationships. Weeks 8 and 9 were entitled "The focus you feel like", where participants chose their own focus (e.g. two weeks of bodily focus if that was most relevant for a person, while another might chose 1 week focusing on emotions and another focusing on a social relationship).
Neurobiology Research Unit, dep. 9201, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet)
Copenhagen OE, Denmark
Change in scores on Perceived Stress on Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale
The investigators expect a decrease in perceived stress of significantly larger magnitude in interventional groups than in waitlist controls across the three time points
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (9 weeks later) and to 3-month follow-up
Cortisol secretion as measured by the cortisol awakening response
The investigators expect a significant reduction of cortisol secretion in intervention groups and larger than in wait-list controls. Specifically, the investigators analyze the Area Under Curve with respect to Ground (total cortisol output) after awakening. Cortisol was only collected for 2/3 data waves (N = 48) due to logistics. COMMENT: The investigators have two primary outcomes, but both are measures of stress levels. The investigators expect to see both hormonal and perceived stress improvements.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (after 9 weeks)
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
The investigators expect a larger improvement of sleep quality in the intervention groups than in the wait-list controls over the course of the three time points
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (9 weeks later) and to 3-month follow-up
Change in Quality of Life on the WHO-5 scale
The investigators expect a larger improvement in perceived quality of life in intervention groups compared to wait-list controls over the course of the three time points
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (9 weeks later) and to 3-month follow-up
Change in Short-Form Health Survey-36
The investigators expect a significantly larger improvement in quality of life (SF-36-Mental Component Summary Score and SF-36 Physical Component Summary Score) in intervention groups compared to wait-list controls over the course of the three time points.
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Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (9 weeks later) and to 3-month follow-up
Change in Major Depression Inventory
The investigators expect a significantly larger decrease in depressive symptoms in intervention groups than in wait-list controls over the course of the three time points.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (9 weeks later) and to 3-month follow-up