The aim of the present study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention and/or a healthy eating intervention in a sample of UCSF employees with overweight and obesity (BMI\>=25kg/m2) who report mild to moderate stress. We will randomize UCSF employees to 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application, Headspace), a healthy eating intervention, a digital meditation+healthy eating intervention, or a waitlist control condition.
The aim of the present study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention and/or a healthy eating intervention in a sample of UCSF employees with overweight and obesity (BMI\>=25kg/m2) who report mild to moderate stress. We will randomize UCSF employees to 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application, Headspace), a healthy eating intervention, a digital meditation+healthy eating intervention, or a waitlist control condition. Participants assigned to the digital meditation intervention group will be asked to download and use the Headspace mobile application for at least 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks. Participants assigned to the healthy eating intervention group will be asked to participate in a 50 minute motivational interviewing counseling session centered around healthy eating behaviors , three 10-minute booster phone calls at weeks 1, 4, and 8, and weekly participation in a digital mindful eating activity. All study participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires at baseline, week 4, week 8 (post-intervention), and a 4-month follow-up period. Among participants who are randomized to the digital meditation intervention, they will also take part in a 1-year follow-up assessment. Physiological assessments (body composition, blood spot) will be obtained at an in-person clinic visit at baseline and week 8. Fitness, sleep, and mood data will be gathered for seven consecutive days at baseline and week 8. Prior to randomization, participants will go through an eligibility screening and complete the baseline questionnaire battery. Adherence in the digital meditation intervention will be tracked remotely. The goal is to recruit up to 165 participants
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
163
10 minute per day, 8 week digital meditation
A single 50 minute counseling session focused on eating behaviors, and three 10-minute follow-up phone calls to check-in on eating goals
10 minute per day, 8 week digital meditation and a single 50 minute counseling session focused on eating behaviors, and three 10-minute follow-up phone calls to check-in on eating goals
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Change in Perceived Stress Score, as Determined by the Total Score on the Perceived Stress Scale
The Perceived Stress Scale has a total score scale range of 0 to 40, with higher values indicating more perceived stress
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in Food Action and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ), as Determined by the Summary Score on the FAAQ
The Food Acceptance and Action Questionnaire has a total score scale range of 10 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater acceptance of motivations to eat.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in Work Overcommitment, as Determined by Siegrist Job Strain Scale (Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale)
The job strain- overcommitment measure (6 items) has items ranging from 1 to 4 (total score ranges from 6-24). The job strain-overcommitment score is calculated as the sum of items 17-22, with higher scores reflecting greater likelihood of experiencing over-commitment at work..
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in Subjective Mindfulness, as Determined by Total Score on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale is a 15-item measure with each item ranging from a score of 1 to 6. To score the scale, we compute the average score across items, with a higher score reflecting higher levels of mindfulness.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in the Intentional Use of Palatable Food to Cope With Negative Feelings, as Determined by Total Score on the Palatable Eating Motives, Coping Subscale (PEMS)
The Palatable Eating Motives, Coping Subscale is a 4-item measure, with each item ranging from 1 (almost never/never) to 5 (almost always/always). A total coping sub scale score is determined by an average of the 4 items. Higher scores reflect greater use of palatable food to cope with negative emotions.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
Change in Food Cravings, as Determined by Total Score on the Trait Food Craving Questionnaire, Reduced (FCQ-T-r)
The Trait Food Craving Questionnaire, reduced, is a 15-item measure of behavioral, cognitive, and physical aspects of cravings for different types of food. Item response choices range from 0 (never) to 5 (always), and the total score is a sum of the 15 items (total score ranges from 0-75). Higher scores reflect greater cravings to eat densely caloric snack.
Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, an anticipated average of 8 weeks
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