NCT06789952

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Versus Lifestyle Intervention for Long-Haul Covid-19 Parosmia

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Versus Lifestyle Intervention for Long-Haul Covid-19 Parosmia (LCP)

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 41 (actual)
• Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a defining symptom of COVID-19 infection. As the number of total, confirmed novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) cases exceeds 45 million in the United States, it is estimated that up to 85% of infected patients will experience at least some olfactory dysfunction. Therefore, we propose a Pilot single-site clinical trial to explore the efficacy of MBSR for Covid-19-related smell distortion (parosmia)

Detailed description

The perception of distorted smell in the presence of a familiar odor is referred to as parosmia. Parosmia can severely impair appetite and quality of life as familiar smells can trigger a foul smell. Parosmia is increasingly recognized as a long COVID symptom. Intranasal and oral corticosteroids, theophylline, Vitamin A, and omega-3 have all been proposed as treatment options for post-viral OD. Budesonide steroid irrigation paired with olfactory training, another avenure for treating olfactory loss, has shown some benefit compared with olfactory training alone. However, these treatments have demonstrated limited efficacy for patients with parosmia. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a psychological therapeutic intervention that emphasizes the focused, non-judgmental awareness of present-moment experiences without efforts being made to alter or avoid them. It is a practice that is embedded in mind/body and integrative medicine to cultivate psychological and emotional resilience. MBSR improves anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other psychological outcomes in clinical trials. Although MBSR is one of the most widely practiced and extensively studied meditation programs in the world, its mechanism of benefit for patients with parosmia has not yet been assessed. In this phase II trial, patients will be allocated 1:1 to receive either a mindfulness-based stress reduction course or a lifestyle management course. The courses will meet virtually once per week for 8 consecutive weeks as well as a one-time 4 hour virtual retreat.

Conditions

• COVID-19

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction	MBSR is a psychological therapeutic intervention that emphasizes the focused, non-judgmental awareness of present-moment experiences without efforts being made to alter or avoid them. It is a practice that is embedded in mind/body and integrative medicine, it combines formal and informal practices of mindfulness. The formal practices include body scanning, gentle hatha yoga - movements, sitting meditation and walking, meditation. Informal practices include mindfulness of daily activities, such as eating, driving, washing dishes, showering, etc. A variety of other exercises will be used as a support for developing proficiency in the practice of mindfulness. This class places strong emphasis on experiential learning. Each session will include: * guided instruction while engaging in practices of mindfulness * opportunity to reflect on experiences and ask questions * discussion of topics related to the practice of mindfulness as a strategy for reducing stress
BEHAVIORAL	Lifestyle Intervention	The lifestyle sessions will include the following topics: Movement -passive stretches and dynamic stretches, cardio HIIT exercise, flexibility and strength, and core and balance. Nutrition Body - Include healthy eating with whole, clean, and nutritionally balanced meals; menu planning/prepping, snacking and noticing cravings and feelings of fullness or satiety. Sleep - Include routine for evening, and morning for optimal sleep, logging routines and quality of sleep, tools to aid in falling asleep, and returning to sleep during the night, eating and sleep patterns Nature/Culture/Arts (with Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art - which will also take place during ½ day retreat) includes spending time in nature and journal experiences, reconnecting with the sun, and surround self with nature. Financial - Focus on financial wellbeing, budgets/adjustments to budgets, and buying/spending patterns. Cooking - Include healthy foods, smoothies, juices, kitchen appliances.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-09-06
• Primary completion: 2023-11-30
• Completion: 2023-11-30
• First posted: 2025-01-23
• Last updated: 2025-01-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States