Trial Outcomes & Findings for Mindfulness to Improve Elders' Immune and Health Status (NCT NCT01027780)

NCT ID: NCT01027780

Last Updated: 2014-08-27

Results Overview

Immune function--specifically, antibody response to a novel, benign antigen (an antigen to which subjects are immunologically naïve); in this case, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

208 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Immediate post-treatment (time 2)

Results posted on

2014-08-27

Participant Flow

Between March 2006 and August 2009, women and men ages 65 and older were recruited from the community via advertisements in local newspapers and from University of Rochester Strong Health-associated primary care offices using flyers. Exclusion criteria were utilized as indicated in the protocol section.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Participation in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program following the initial assessment period, just prior to the start of the immunological measures.
Wait-list Control
Wait-list control participants were offered MBSR training after completion of their primary assessments periods.
Overall Study
STARTED
105
103
Overall Study
COMPLETED
105
102
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Mindfulness to Improve Elders' Immune and Health Status

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
n=105 Participants
Participation in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program following the initial assessment period, just prior to the start of the immunological measures.
Wait-list Control
n=103 Participants
Wait-list control participants were offered MBSR training after completion of their primary assessments periods.
Total
n=208 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
103 Participants
n=5 Participants
102 Participants
n=7 Participants
205 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
72.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7 • n=5 Participants
73.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7 • n=7 Participants
73.02 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
65 Participants
n=5 Participants
64 Participants
n=7 Participants
129 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
40 Participants
n=5 Participants
39 Participants
n=7 Participants
79 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
105 participants
n=5 Participants
103 participants
n=7 Participants
208 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediate post-treatment (time 2)

Immune function--specifically, antibody response to a novel, benign antigen (an antigen to which subjects are immunologically naïve); in this case, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
n=105 Participants
Participation in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program following the initial assessment period, just prior to the start of the immunological measures.
Wait-list Control
n=103 Participants
Wait-list control participants were offered MBSR training after completion of their primary assessments periods.
IgG Anti-KLH Antibody Response Post-treatment
0.172 OD 405 nm
Standard Error .04
0.104 OD 405 nm
Standard Error .032

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: immediate post-treatment (Time 2)

The Trail Making Test is a commonly used neuropsychological test of visual attention and task-switching. In two timed tasks, subjects are asked to first connect numbers (Test A), then alternating numbers and letters (Test B), in sequential order as quickly as possible. Completion times, relating to cognitive processing speed and executive function (respectively), may be utilized individually, and as a difference (B-A) or ratio (B/A) score. The Trails B/A ratio was used as an index of improvement in executive control throughout the trial, with lower scores indicating better performance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
n=105 Participants
Participation in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program following the initial assessment period, just prior to the start of the immunological measures.
Wait-list Control
n=103 Participants
Wait-list control participants were offered MBSR training after completion of their primary assessments periods.
Trail Making Test
1.75 Trails B:A score
Standard Error .1
2.01 Trails B:A score
Standard Error .11

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: post-treatment (time 2)

Population: Some subject EEG recordings were excluded from analyses due to reading/equipment factors (e.g., poor signal, external noise) or subject factors (e.g., sleepiness, illness). Subjects were also allowed to opt out of the EEG procedures if desired.

Measurement of alpha asymmetry at the F3/4 (frontal) electrode. Left prefrontal activation has been associated with positive affect, and with higher levels of antibody responses and natural killer cell cytotoxicity.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
n=55 Participants
Participation in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program following the initial assessment period, just prior to the start of the immunological measures.
Wait-list Control
n=55 Participants
Wait-list control participants were offered MBSR training after completion of their primary assessments periods.
Electroencephalography Measurement
0.067 Log right-log left alpha power
Standard Error .03
-0.25 Log right-log left alpha power
Standard Error .03

Adverse Events

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

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

Wait-list Control

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

Dr. Jan Moynihan

University of Rochester

Phone: 585-275-4648

Results disclosure agreements

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