Trial Outcomes & Findings for Comparison of Two Behavioral Treatments for Stress Reduction (NCT NCT00625807)

NCT ID: NCT00625807

Last Updated: 2018-08-07

Results Overview

Seed based functional connectivity analysis was performed using the Connectivity Toolbox (CONN) implemented within the Statistical Parametric Mapping program (SPM8; Welcome Department of Cognitive Neurology). Our seeds were located in the right inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis (MNI coordinates: 54, 14, 16) and the dorsal anterior insula (MNI coordinates: 32, 20, 0). Note - MRI data from some subjects was either missing, not collected, or corrupted, and so the analyses were performed on just the subject of subjects who had complete datasets. This assessment reflects the total number of voxels per group.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

50 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Week 8

Results posted on

2018-08-07

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Overall Study
STARTED
22
28
Overall Study
COMPLETED
20
20
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
2
8

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Overall Study
schedule conflict
2
8

Baseline Characteristics

Comparison of Two Behavioral Treatments for Stress Reduction

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Relaxation Response
n=22 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses Relaxation Response: A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques from the Relaxation Response Program each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course
MBSR
n=28 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses MBSR: A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week from 5-8:30 PM. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques from the MBSR program each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course
Total
n=50 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
39 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.7 • n=5 Participants
37 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.7 • n=7 Participants
37.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.5 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
18 Participants
n=7 Participants
33 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
17 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 8

Seed based functional connectivity analysis was performed using the Connectivity Toolbox (CONN) implemented within the Statistical Parametric Mapping program (SPM8; Welcome Department of Cognitive Neurology). Our seeds were located in the right inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis (MNI coordinates: 54, 14, 16) and the dorsal anterior insula (MNI coordinates: 32, 20, 0). Note - MRI data from some subjects was either missing, not collected, or corrupted, and so the analyses were performed on just the subject of subjects who had complete datasets. This assessment reflects the total number of voxels per group.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
n=16 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
n=18 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Brain Activity (fMRI) During the Body Scan Meditation
74 voxels
82 voxels

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre, 8 weeks

Population: Individuals who completed at least one measure at post

The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) has been developed as a reliable and valid comprehensive instrument for assessing different aspects of mindfulness in community samples. Scores range from 39-195 with higher scores meaning more mindfulness.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
n=20 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
n=20 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
Pre
130.8 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.7
125.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.7
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
week 8
144.2 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 20.6
139.1 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 21.1

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre, 8 weeks

Population: Individuals who completed at least one measure at post

The PSS is brief, validated and widely used psychological instrument for assessing a subject's perception of stress change. Scores range from 0-40 with higher scores meaning more stress

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
n=20 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
n=20 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Perceived Stress Scale
Pre
14.1 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.6
18.4 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.7
Perceived Stress Scale
week 8
11.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.5
12.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.3

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre, 8 weeks

Population: Individuals who completed at least one measure at post

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is a standard self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder. scores range from 16-80 with higher scores meaning more stress.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
n=19 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
n=18 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Penn State Worry Questionnaire
Pre
42.6 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.9
50.5 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 13.1
Penn State Worry Questionnaire
week 8
37.7 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.1
44.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.0

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre, 8 weeks

Population: Individuals who completed at least one measure at post

the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) is a measure of individuals discomfort with a variety of sensations associated with anxiety and panic and tends to be substantially higher in those with panic disorder (and attacks) than in those with General Anxiety Disorder. Scores range from 0 - 64. Lower scores mean lower anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
n=18 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
n=19 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Anxiety Severity Index
Pre
29.8 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.3
31.9 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.4
Anxiety Severity Index
week 8
25.4 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.7
30.9 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre, week 8

Population: individuals who completed the measure at week 8

This scale assesses one's ability to be forgiving and kind to oneself in difficult circumstances. Scores range from 1-5. Higher scores mean more self compassion.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relaxation Response (RR)
n=20 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing relaxation
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
n=20 Participants
One of the 2 stress reduction courses A well-validated 8 week stress reduction course. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to perform stress reduction techniques each night for 20 minutes throughout the entire 8-week course. Stress reduction techniques use meditative techniques that focus primarily on inducing mindfulness
Self Compassion
pre
2.9 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .67
3.1 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .6
Self Compassion
week 8
3.2 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .72
3.6 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .7

Adverse Events

Relaxation Response

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

MBSR

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Sara Lazar

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone: 617-724-2256

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place