This study will examine the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and the Living Well program, compared to a control group, to see if the programs might be associated with better immune function (response to current influenza vaccine), physical and emotional health, and well-being.
A considerable literature documents that a wide variety of psychosocial interventions can lessen the psychological burden of family or spousal dementia caregiving. Some caregiver intervention studies have included measures of self-reported physical health and sleep, and others have focused on improving inflammation in caregivers. The current study will add to this literature by examining the effects of two behavioral interventions on adaptive immune responses, particularly, antibody response to influenza vaccination, in older adult family caregivers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
142
Group-based intervention
Group-based intervention
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York, United States
Antibody response to influenza vaccination
Change in amount of antibody titers following influenza vaccination
Time frame: pre-vaccination to 6 weeks and 6 months post-vaccination
Granzyme B (GrzB) activity after influenza vaccination
Change in GrzB activity, a measure of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell activity, following influenza vaccination
Time frame: pre-vaccination to 6 weeks and 6 months post-vaccination
Ratio of T-cell cytokines, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-10
Change in IFN:IL-10 ratio following influenza vaccination
Time frame: pre-vaccination to 6 weeks and 6 months post-vaccination
Inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
Change in inflammatory cytokine levels over time
Time frame: baseline to 6 weeks to 6 months post-intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.