Stress Management Training for Healthy Aging
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
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.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed 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.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Active Comparator: Mindfulness Training 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. |
Behavioral: Mindfulness Training
Guided mindfulness meditation and stress management training
|
| Active Comparator: Health Education 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 |
Behavioral: Health Education
Guided health education and stress management training
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Circulating markers of inflammation, Interleukin-6 and C Reactive Protein [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Measured via blood samples
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Pro-inflammatory gene expression [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention]
- Self-reported relational distress [Change from Baseline to Intervention Weeks 4 and 8]
Evaluated using ecological momentary assessment
- Self-reported loneliness [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using UCLA loneliness scale and ecological momentary assessment
Other Outcome Measures
- Health practices [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated by questionnaires asking about diet, caffeine consumption, alcohol use, stress reduction, exercise, recreational drug use, cold or flu, flu shots
- Mental health [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Beck Depression Inventory
- Self-reported stress [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
- Mindfulness [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
- Connectedness to nature [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Nature Connection Scale
- Personality [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using NEO Personality Inventory
- Social network and social support [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Social Network Index and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List
- Self-reported psychological distress [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
- Trait affect [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Stanford Measure of Actual, Ideal, and Avoided Affect
- Trait hostility [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Cook-Medley Hostility Scale
- Attachment style [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Adult Attachment Scale
- Attitudes towards aging [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Evaluated using Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire
- Resting thought listing [Assessed at baseline, 1-week post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up]
Participants will sit quietly for 5 minutes and report all noticed experiences and reactivity to those experiences
- Immune functioning [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Assessed via stimulated IL-6 production and glucocorticoid resistance
- Cellular aging [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow-up]
Assessed via telomeres and telomerase
- Markers of inflammation [Assessed at 3-month follow-up only]
Assessed via hair sample
- Social interaction quality and quantity [Change from Baseline to Intervention Weeks 4 and 8]
Assessed via ecological momentary assessment
- Self-reported psychological distress [Change from Baseline to Intervention Weeks 4 and 8]
Assessed via ecological momentary assessment
- Home practice quality and quantity [Assessed daily throughout the eight-week intervention period]
Assessed by self-reported practice length, enjoyment of practice, usefulness of practice, trouble concentrating, mental fatigue, stress, and irritation during practice.
- Treatment expectations [Assessed prior to beginning of intervention, during Intervention Weeks 4 and 8]
Assessed by optimism about treatment and expectations for treatment outcome,
- Instructor and class ratings [Assessed prior to beginning of intervention, during Intervention Weeks 4 and 8]
Assessed by self-report ratings of patient-provider connection
- Sleep measures [Change from baseline through intervention to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow up]
Assessed by self-report ratings of sleep using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
- Physiological data (blood pressure, pulse rate) [Change from baseline to 1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow up]
Assessed by blood pressure cuffs in lab
- Physiological data (gait) [1-week post-intervention and 3-month follow up]
Assessed by speed of walking at a normal pace
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- English speaking
Exclusion Criteria:
- [Exclusion criteria are masked from public viewing until data collection is complete. Please contact project managers.]
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | United States | 15213 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh Medical Center- Center for Integrative Medicine | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | United States | 15232 |
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Virginia | United States | 23284 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Virginia Commonwealth University
Investigators
- Study Chair: Rebecca Pawlikowsky, BA, Office of Sponsored Projects, Carnegie Mellon University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
More Information
Publications
None provided.- 1R01AT008685-01