Molecular Processes of the Relaxation Response in Older Adults

Beth Israel Lahey Health

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Stress

Treatments: Behavioral: Relaxation response

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT00179569

2004P-000418

H75-CCH-119124

H75-CCH-123424

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the molecular (nitric oxide) and biochemical (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and ACTH) parameters that are associated with RR elicitation and which may counteract the effects of acute stress in the elderly.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 60-80 years of age
• healthy individuals
• willing and able to attend treatment sessions
• willing to learn how to do and practice the relaxation-response
• access to a working telephone
• read and write English

Exclusion criteria

• Major medical or psychiatric illness
• asthma or seasonal allergies (resulting in nitric oxide levels >60 ppb)
• smoking
• previous relaxation-response practice
• current use of the following medications:systemic corticosteroids, anti-convulsants/psychotics, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic therapy, anabolic steroids, antidepressants (other than SSRIs), dicyclomine, bile acid binding resins, or sympathomimetic medication

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)