Biological and Psychological Health Effect of Ramadan Study

NCT ID: NCT04846075

Last Updated: 2021-04-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-04-08
• Study Completion Date: 2021-06-30

Brief Summary

This observational study collects data on blood neurotransmitter and neuromodulator levels of subjects observing Ramadan. Additional information collected are a diet record, mood and perceived stress using validated surveys at three time points: a) before starting Ramadan, b) at the midpoint evaluation, and c) at the end of Ramadan. Three additional dispositional factors collected at the beginning and at the end are: a) sense of belonging, b) purpose in life (sense of coherence), and c) empathy (interpersonal reactivity index). The subjects are also individually interviewed on their experience of Ramadan as narrative data.

Detailed Description

This is an observational study seeking research volunteers during Ramadan in the Pacific Northwest. We plan to recruit 10 female and 5 male volunteers. Each subject will donate her/his blood (20 milliliters) at three time points: a) before initiation of Ramadan, b) 14 days later, and c) 30 days later (60 milliliters total over one month). Because the dates of Ramadan in 2021 occur on April 12th through May 11th, the three days of the blood collection will be April 10th, April 27th and May 11th ± 1 day. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, mass gatherings at mosque do not happen. This study deploys a mobile phlebotomist who is a licensed healthcare practitioner who will set up a droplet barrier phlebotomy station. The time of phlebotomy is determined based on the hydration status of each individual. The specimens will be packed in an ice cooler and processed (centrifuged and divided into aliquots) at Bastyr University Tierney laboratory and stored in a -80 degree Celsius freezer until analyzed at the same time for the three time points. Narrative data will also be collected through individual conversations (phone or in-person) at the completion of Ramadan, reflecting on the study and any heightened sense of spirituality.

Conditions

Quality of Life

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: COHORT
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Ramadan Group

Diurnal fasting and spiritual practices. Operationally assessed by the level of compliance to Sawm, Salat, and Zakat.

Ramadan fasting, praying, and welfare for poor

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity duirng daytime; ritualistic praying at specific time of a day for five or more times; volunteering for communities or donation

Interventions

Ramadan fasting, praying, and welfare for poor

Abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity duirng daytime; ritualistic praying at specific time of a day for five or more times; volunteering for communities or donation

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Diurnal fasting or Sawm; five or more prayers or Salat; donation or volunteering or Zakat

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Male or female ≥ 18 years of age at the time of baseline blood draw, up to 65 years old
• Community member who observe Ramadan during April 12 (Monday evening) through May 11, 2021 (Tuesday sundown)
• Understand and sign the informed consent form and have ability to comply with the requiremnets of the study
• Vaccinated for COVID or having a history of a positive PCR test which was resolved

Exclusion Criteria

• Anticubital vein is not accessible
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, recovering from major illness or surgery that influences quality of life
• Who reside more than 14 miles away from the city limits
• Unavailable to meet in-person and donate blood for any of three measurement days (basline, 15th day, post Ramadan)
• Smoking, drinking aclohol or using recreational drug
• Presence of a condition that in the opinon of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the participant or the quality of the data

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Bastyr University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Masa Sasagawa, ND, PhD

Assistant Research Scientist

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Masa Sasagawa, ND, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Bastyr University

Locations

Bastyr University

Kenmore, Washington, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Masa Sasagawa, ND, PhD

Role: CONTACT

msasagawa@bastyr.edu

425-602-3164

Paul Amieux, PhD

Role: CONTACT

pamieux@bastyr.edu

425-602-3132

Facility Contacts

Masa Sasagawa, ND, PhD

Role: primary

msasagawa@bastyr.edu

425-602-3164

Other Identifiers

21-1690

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id