NCT01027780

Mindfulness to Improve Elders' Immune and Health Status

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 208 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Rochester · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of the study is to better understand effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) program on the physical and emotional health and well-being of adults ages 65 and older. The effects MBSR may have on the immune system is investigated, including how these effects relate to factors such as perceived health, psychological well-being, age, personality, and mood.

Detailed description

This study investigates the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on immune responses to multiple concentrations of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in elderly volunteers. The research design thus capitalizes on the antibody response to a novel, benign antigen to which our subjects will be immunologically naïve. The use of a range of antigen concentrations will provide a sensitive indicator for the effects of intervention. The Aims of the study are the following: 1. To examine the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on immunological outcomes, perceived health, and psychological well-being in a sample of seniors 65 years of age and older. 2. To examine whether treatment effects are moderated by age, personality traits, physical health status, or depression. 3. To examine the effects of behavioral, psychological, and physiological mediators of immune outcome.

Conditions

• Stress, Psychologic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction	The standardized Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program is the primary training tool used to enhance mindfulness. The eight-week-long MBSR program is designed to teach subjects how to develop their inner resources in the service of taking better care of themselves. MBSR training includes the learning and refining of a range of skills aimed at increasing relaxation and awareness of physical experiences and sensations related to physical symptoms, emotions, and thoughts. Special emphasis is placed on movement, meditation, and breathing.

Timeline

• Start date: 2006-03-01
• Primary completion: 2009-05-01
• Completion: 2009-08-01
• First posted: 2009-12-09
• Last updated: 2014-08-27
• Results posted: 2014-08-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States