This pilot randomized controlled study evaluates Mindfulness and DASH Diet resting state network and blood pressure in 36 (n=12 intervention; n=12 attention control; n = 12 control) Black and African American older adults with early Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders and hypertension.
The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled study is to adapt a previously tested intervention to improve resting state network and blood pressure in 36 (n=12 intervention; n=12 attention control; n = 12 control) Black and African American older adults with early Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders and hypertension. The study aims are to: A.1. Establish the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in Black and African Americans with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders and hypertension. H1: The intervention will be feasible and acceptable to Black and African Americans with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders. Feasibility will be measured by recruitment, attendance, and attrition. Acceptability will be measured by a garnering feedback in a debriefing after each session. A.2. Determine the effect size of the difference between the intervention, attention control, and control groups in resting state network connectivity and working memory and blood pressure to inform the sample size for the R01 trial. H2: We hypothesize that compared to both control groups; the intervention group will have greater improvement in process measures of self-management mechanisms (self-efficacy, self-regulation, and emotion regulation), chronic stress, diet, and physical activity. The functional magnetic resonance imaging and blood pressure will be obtained at baseline and 3 months. The intervention group (Mindfulness + DASH) will have improved resting state network connectivity and blood pressure as compared to the attention control (2-hour group social time and brief lecture on a non-diet/mindfulness topic such as personal safety, fire safety, and disaster preparedness) and the control group (care as usual with no intervention). The Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging, Arts \& Sciences co-investigators will analyze imaging data using their newly published statistical network model to quantify the subnetwork structures of the resting state network and evaluate changes of their topological properties.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
38
Mindfulness and DASH diet education will include a didactic presentation on stress, theoretical material related to mindfulness, the somatic mind/body connection, relaxation, yoga, meditation, self-awareness, and bodily cues relating to emotional reactivity. Practices will include the body scan, gentle yoga movement, walking/sitting meditation, breathing, relaxation. Additionally, daily 20 min individual practices are done at least 5x/week delivered via a compact disc player or on a preloaded device. Each participant is asked to track his/her daily meditation practice and given a diary for adherence records. A combination of didactic, experiential, and "hands-on" activities will be done to deliver DASH diet guidelines.
The attention control group will attend eight, 2.5 hours sessions on non-health topics such as personal safety, fire prevention, cold weather protection, disaster preparation, internet safety, aging in place, how to know when it's time to move and managing your money.
The Ohio State University College of Nursing
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Change in Resting State Network
functional magnetic resonance imaging scans of brains utilizing and working memory test will be employed to measure change in resting state network
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure
Omron automatic blood pressure machine with small and large cuff sizes will be used to obtain blood pressure readings
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure
Omron automatic blood pressure machine with small and large cuff sizes will be used to obtain blood pressure readings
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Questionnaire (DASH-Q) Change
DASH Q has 11 items focused on the consumption of DASH foods (e.g., fruits, nuts, and vegetables) in the past 7 days (Cronbach α = .83). The reference range for the DASH Q was 0-105 with higher scores indicating greater adherence to DASH diet.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale Change
The Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale (Cronbach α = .77)17 has 12 questions (reference range 0-48, higher scores indicate greater mindfulness affect) on a Likert scale regarding daily experiences such as "I rush through activities without being really attentive to them."
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Perceived Stress Scale Change
The Perceived Stress Scale has 10-items reference range 0-30 regarding stress over the past month (Cronbach α = 0.83).1The cut point for moderate to high stress is 12 or more for persons aged 65 and older.
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Time frame: Baseline and 3 months