The purpose of this study is to examine the comparative effectiveness of two technology-based Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs (one via video/teleconference and one via a smartphone app) for reducing worry, anxiety and/or related mental health effects of stress in members of identified underserved communities, which were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to examine the comparative effectiveness of two technology-based Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs (one via video/teleconference and one via a smartphone app) for reducing worry, anxiety, and/or related mental health effects of stress in members of identified underserved communities, which were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will be randomly assigned to a teleconference MBSR program, a MBSR smartphone app program, or a waitlist control group. Each intervention includes participation in a 9-week (8 sessions plus an introduction) mindfulness intervention that consists of instruction and daily practice. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews will be administered at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month and three-month follow-up points. It is hypothesized that participants in the two intervention groups will show measurable and sustained improvement in the primary outcome, worry, as well as in the secondary outcomes, anxiety and related mental health effects. It is further hypothesized that the smartphone app mindfulness intervention will show similar effectiveness to the teleconference mindfulness intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
270
The teleconference intervention is administered by a trained interventionist via Zoom and is based on a manual adapted from a traditional MBSR version. Practices and activities include meditations, mindful breathing exercises and movements, discussions, and reflections, which participants learn at weekly sessions and practice on their own throughout the week. To adapt the traditional MBSR program for the target community population, intervention materials were reviewed for feedback from community stakeholders, and modified according to their feedback.
The smartphone app intervention is administered through the app. The smartphone app aligns with the traditional MBSR format, but training and practice is done individually and independently by members of this group. To adapt the traditional MBSR program for the target community population, the app was tested by community stakeholders and modified according to their feedback.
State University of New York, University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York, United States
Changes in Worry from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire \[PSWQ\], a scaled measure with total scores ranging from 16 to 80, in which higher scores indicate greater severity of worry
Time frame: 21 Weeks: Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Anxiety from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale \[GAD-7\], a scaled measure with total scores ranging from 0 to 21, in which higher scores indicate more severe anxiety
Time frame: 21 Weeks: Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Perceived Stress from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the Perceived Stress Scale \[PSS\], a scaled measure with total scores ranging from 0 to 40, in which higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress
Time frame: 21 Weeks: Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Depression from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the Patient Health Questionnaire \[PHQ-9\], a scaled measure for assessing minimal to severe depression, with total scores ranging from 0 to 27, in which higher scores indicate more severe depression
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Time frame: Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Sleep Quality from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A global score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index \[PSQI\], which contains seven scaled components for sleep quality, with global scores ranging from 0 to 21, in which lower global scores indicate better overall quality of sleep.
Time frame: 21 weeks Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Loneliness from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the UCLA Loneliness Scale, a scaled measure with total scores ranging from 0 to 60, in which higher total scores indicate higher levels of loneliness
Time frame: 21 Weeks Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Social Disconnectedness from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the Social Disconnectedness Scale, a scaled measure with total scores ranging from 0 to 43, in which higher scores indicate higher social disconnectedness
Time frame: 21 Weeks Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Mindfulness from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A global score on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire \[FFMQ\], which contains five scaled components for attributes of mindfulness and with total scores ranging from 39 to 195, in which higher global scores indicate greater overall mindfulness
Time frame: 21 weeks Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Quality of life, satisfaction with
A total score on the Quality of Life Scale \[QOLS\], a scaled measure with total scores ranging from16 to 112, in which higher total scores indicate greater satisfaction with or quality of life
Time frame: 21 Weeks Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, end of intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention
Changes in Psychological Well-being from baseline to mid-intervention at five weeks, post-intervention at nine weeks, and follow-ups to assess sustainability at one and three months following end of intervention
A total score on the Flourishing Scale \[FS\], a scaled measure with with total scores ranging from 8 to 56, in which higher total scores indicate greater flourishing or psychological well-being
Time frame: 21 Weeks Change from Baseline score to score at mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up scores at one month and three months past end of intervention