Stress Management Training for Healthy Aging

Carnegie Mellon University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Psychological Stress; Loneliness

Treatments: Behavioral: Mindfulness Training; Behavioral: Health Education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02888600

1R01AT008685-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is a two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing two 8-week stress management programs for reducing inflammation and improving well-being among older adults.

Full description

A growing body of literature has demonstrated how stress can affect social relationships, health, and well-being during the aging process. Here, the investigators will test how two different programs can be used to facilitate healthy aging by helping individuals manage stress. One program will teach participants mindfulness meditation techniques while the other will educate participants about how to manage their health.

N=188 older adults will visit the study's central laboratory for a baseline visit and complete several days of daily experience sampling before being randomized into one of the two 8-week stress management programs. Participants will complete several days of daily experience sampling at the midpoint and conclusion of the intervention before returning to a study site to complete a follow-up assessment at both 1-week and 3-months after the end of the program.

This project will provide important information about how each training program can be used to promote well-being, health, and better social functioning in older adults. This work will ultimately inform the design of more efficacious and efficient stress-management interventions to facilitate healthy aging.

Enrollment: 190 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 93 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• English speaking

Exclusion criteria

• [Exclusion criteria are masked from public viewing until data collection is complete. Please contact project managers.]

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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190 participants in 2 patient groups

Mindfulness Training

Active Comparator group

Description:

The Mindfulness Meditation Program consists of eight weekly 2- 2.5 hour group sessions, a day-long retreat in the sixth week, and daily mindfulness meditation homework.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Mindfulness Training

Health Education

Active Comparator group

Description:

The Health Education Program also consists of eight weekly 2- 2.5 hour group sessions, a day-long retreat in the sixth week, and daily health practice homework

Treatment:

Behavioral: Health Education