NCT01857830

The Relaxation vs. Retreat Study

The Effect of a Short Term Meditation Retreat on Markers of Cellular Stress and Aging

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 96 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 30 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to examine whether a short term meditation intervention can improve health, mood, and biological markers of cellular stress and aging in novice and experienced meditators compared to controls.

Detailed description

There are 3 parts to this research study, Part A, B, and C. In Part A, participants complete a brief online questionnaire sent to them via email by the study coordinator. During Part B of the study, participants stay at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA for 6 nights and participate in a meditation retreat being held at the resort, or stay at the resort without participating in the retreat. During their stay, participants attend two in-person research assessments throughout the week. Assessments will be 4 days (96 hours) apart for all participants and will include a fasting blood draw, body measurements, and self-report questionnaires. Part C of the study includes a brief online questionnaire that is completed 1 month after participants leave La Costa Resort. This study includes 3 groups: a group of "novice meditators" from the greater San Diego Region that are randomized into either the 1) Relaxation (Control) group or 2) Retreat group. The third group is comprised of self-selected "experienced meditators" who are already enrolled in the retreat. In total, 99 participants were recruited for this study. The Retreat group stays at La Costa Resort and attends a 6 day meditation retreat intervention as well as completes all research study assessments and questionnaires. The Relaxation (Control) group stays at La Costa Resort for 6 nights, but does not attend the meditation retreat. They attend once daily lectures on science topics and complete all research study assessments and questionnaires. The Experienced Retreat group participants have an ongoing meditation practice and have enrolled themselves in the April 2013 meditation retreat. All of the Experienced meditators attend the meditation retreat and complete all research study assessments and questionnaires.

Conditions

• Stress
• Ageing
• Wellbeing

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Meditation Retreat	The intervention is a one week meditation and yoga retreat hosted at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.
BEHAVIORAL	Active Comparator Relaxation Group	Participants are randomized to stay at La Costa Resort and Spa for 6 days. Participants will receive daily meals similar to the meals for those in the retreat group. Participants will also receive a daily one hour lecture on topics related to longevity and health.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-04-01
• Primary completion: 2013-07-01
• Completion: 2013-07-01
• First posted: 2013-05-20
• Last updated: 2013-08-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States