The current project will use the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) as an intervention for patients with chronic pain. CHIP is a nationally recognized program that encourages a diet of whole plant-based foods, moderate exercise, stress reduction, and social support. Patients with chronic pain who enroll in CHIP classes will be monitored and compared to patients with chronic pain who are not enrolled in CHIP classes. It is hypothesized that patients who complete CHIP will have increased telomerase activity and longer relative telomere length at follow-up when compared to those who do not enroll in the program. Chromosomes consist of DNA that contains the genetic makeup of an individual; and telomeres are the caps on these chromosomes that protect them from damage. Telomere shortening occurs normally with aging and once they are too short to replicate cellular death occurs. Telomerase is a ribonucleic protein that counterbalances this shortening by extending the ends of chromosomes. Research has shown that patients with chronic pain may have shorter telomeres relative to others of the same age. This study will investigate this association further.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
67
The Complete Health Improvement Program is a nationally recognized program that encourages a diet of whole plant based foods, moderate exercise, stress reduction, and social support.
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio, United States
Telomerase activity changes as a result of lifestyle change
Assessed via peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Time frame: Change from baseline telomerase at 3 months
Subjective pain ratings as a function of positive lifestyle modifications
Assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form. Measures pain intensity from 0 to 10, 10 being pain as bad as you can imagine. Also measures the extent to which pain interferes with daily functioning (0 - 10 possible, with 10 indicating completely interferes).
Time frame: Change from baseline subjective pain at 3 months
Relative telomere length changes as a result of lifestyle change
Assessed via whole blood samples
Time frame: Change from baseline telomere length at 3 months
Relative telomere length changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Assessed via whole blood samples
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of telomere length at 1-year
Fasting glucose changes as a result of lifestyle change
Assessed via whole blood samples
Time frame: Change from baseline fasting glucose at 3 months
Fasting glucose changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Assessed via whole blood samples
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of fasting glucose at 1-year
Fasting lipid profile (i.e., HDL, LDL, triglycerides) modification as a result of lifestyle change
Assessed via whole blood
Time frame: change from baseline fasting lipids at 3 months
Fasting lipid profile (i.e., HDL, LDL, triglycerides) modification as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Assessed via whole blood
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of fasting lipids at 1-year
C-reactive protein changes as a result of lifestyle change
Assessed via plasma
Time frame: change from baseline C-reactive protein at 3 months
C-reactive protein changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Assessed via plasma
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of C-reactive protein at 1-year
Overall well-being changes as a result of lifestyle change
The RAND-36 item short form survey. High score indicates more favorable health state. Minimum score 0 Maximum score 100.
Time frame: change from baseline overall well-being at 3 months
Overall well-being changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
The RAND-36 item short form survey. High score indicates more favorable health state. Minimum score 0 Maximum score 100.
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of overall well-being at 1-year
Perceived Stress changes as a result of lifestyle change
The 14-item Perceived Stress Scale. Minimum score 0 Maximum score 40. Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress.
Time frame: change from baseline perceived stress at 3 months
Perceived Stress changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
The 14-item Perceived Stress Scale. Minimum score 0 Maximum score 40. Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress.
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of perceived stress at 1-year
Depressive symptom changes as a result of lifestyle change
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Higher score indicates greater depressed mood. Minimum score 0 Maximum score 60.
Time frame: change from baseline depressed mood at 3 months
Depressive symptom changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Higher score indicates greater depressed mood. Minimum score 0 Maximum score 60.
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of depressed mood at 1-year
Perceived social support modification as a result of lifestyle change
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Higher score indicates greater perceived social support. Minimum score 1 Maximum score 7.
Time frame: change from baseline perceived social support at 3 months
Perceived social support modification as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Higher score indicates greater perceived social support. Minimum score 1 Maximum score 7.
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of perceived social support at 1-year
Health-Promoting behavior change as a result of lifestyle modification
Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire. Higher score indicate greater health promotion. Minimum score 1 Maximum score 4.
Time frame: change from baseline health promoting behavior at 3 months
Health-Promoting behavior change as a result of lifestyle modification at 1-year follow-up
Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire. Higher score indicate greater health promotion. Minimum score 1 Maximum score 4.
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of health promoting behavior at 1-year
Telomerase activity changes as a result of lifestyle change at 1-year follow-up
Assessed via peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of telomerase activity at 1-year
Subjective pain ratings as a function of positive lifestyle modifications at 1-year follow-up
Assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form. Measures pain intensity from 0 to 10, 10 being pain as bad as you can imagine. Also measures the extent to which pain interferes with daily functioning (0 - 10 possible, with 10 indicating completely interferes).
Time frame: Change from 3 month follow-up data of subjective pain at 1-year
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