NCT05621694

Exploring Oxytocin Response to Meditative Movement

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (actual)
• Sponsor: Arizona State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This pilot study is designed to test effects of a single session of meditative movement (Tai Chi Easy) on older adults' blood pressure, perceptions of connection, mood, and oxytocin levels.

Detailed description

Endogenous oxytocin (the "cuddle hormone") is associated with lowering blood pressure (BP), suggesting that finding ways to increase oxytocin even in the absence of social connection, may be beneficial. Meditative movement emphasizing breath, meditative state and flow-inducing movements holds potential for reducing BP, improving mood and releasing oxytocin. In a single-group pilot study we exposed 21 OAs with mild-moderate hypertension to a 50-minute "Tai Chi Easy (TCE)" (simplified Tai Chi/Qigong) session, collecting BP, saliva samples for oxytocin, and psychosocial measures (connection, mood) pre/post intervention.

Conditions

• Hypertension

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Tai Chi Easy	A meditative movement practice that includes simple qigong movement/breath practices and single, repeated tai chi movements taught to generate a meditative state and flow

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-09-30
• Primary completion: 2020-01-31
• Completion: 2022-01-31
• First posted: 2022-11-18
• Last updated: 2023-09-11

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States