Memory and Fear Study (Fear of Memory Loss Study)

Northwestern University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Anxiety and Fear

Treatments: Behavioral: Conventional Mindfulness Program; Behavioral: Tailored Mindfulness Program for Fear of Memory Loss

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04821960

STU00214078

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is a randomized control study to determine the impact of a tailored, web-based mindfulness program to reduce anxiety and increase the quality of life in older adults experiencing dementia-related fears, relative to a conventional meditation program.

Full description

The study will test two different types of online mindfulness programs to see if an online self-paced mindfulness program can help reduce anxiety related to memory loss. Participants will be involved in the study for a total of 10 weeks. Participants will log on to an online mindfulness program 4 days per week for about 10-20 minutes each. The total program will last 3 weeks. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires before starting the program, during the program, and after they complete the program.

Enrollment: 81 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 55+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 55 years of age or older
• Elevated dementia-related fear
• Able to read/write in English
• Willingness to be randomized to intervention group
• Willingness to complete three weeks of self-guided intervention, questionnaires, and cognitive tests.
• Access to a reliable internet connection

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's Disease, or dementia by a healthcare provider.
• Impaired cognitive or neurologic function
• Unstable medical condition
• Severe depression
• Current treatment for anxiety or depression
• Current participation in another psychotherapy
• Current use of psychiatric medication
• Current substance use disorder
• Inadequate vision or hearing to interact with study materials

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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81 participants in 2 patient groups

Conventional Mindfulness Program

Active Comparator group

Description:

Routine mindfulness lessons and activities.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Conventional Mindfulness Program

Tailored Mindfulness Program for Fear of Memory Loss

Experimental group

Description:

Tailored mindfulness lessons and activities for fear of memory loss.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tailored Mindfulness Program for Fear of Memory Loss