Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introduction Program

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

35 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-02-09

Study Completion Date

2024-09-30

Brief Summary

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Heart-Smile Training (HST) is a compassion and loving-kindness-based intensive introduction program consisting of a 3-day retreat, 4-weeks of weekly 2 hour meetings, and a 1-day final retreat. This study is a randomized controlled trial study to evaluate the effectiveness of Heart-Smile Training as compared to the passive control group on measures of neural, physiological, and clinically-relevant outcomes among individuals with symptoms of depression. Participants will be randomized to either the HST group or a waitlist control group. Both groups will complete assessments before and after HST including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiogram (EKG), electrodermal activity tests, and self-report surveys. All study activities except surveys will be conducted in person.

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Detailed Description

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This will be a randomized controlled trial with two arms: Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introduction Program (HST-IIP) vs. a waitlist control group. These two arms will be compared on measures of neural, physiological, and clinically-relevant outcomes.

The investigators will enroll up to 50 adult volunteers from the general population from the ages of 18 to 65 with depression, with Computerized Adaptive Test- Depression Inventory (CAT-DI) scores from 35-75. Volunteers interested in the study will be consented and screened for their eligibility. Eligible participants will be randomized to join either the HST-IIP arm or a waitlist control arm after completing all baseline assessments and the EEG session.

Both the HST-IIP and waitlist arm will complete a baseline measurement session between study weeks -3 to 0, before starting any group sessions. Prior to completing the baseline measurement section, they will be randomized to either HST-IIP or the waitlist arm. Participants enrolled in the HST-IIP arm will join the intervention group between week 1 to 5. The waitlist arm will not join any program between week 1 to 5. They will continue their treatment as usual without any change in their therapy session or medication. Both arms will complete weekly survey measures for 5 weeks. Both arms will then complete a post measurement session during study weeks 5 to 7.

At both baseline and post-intervention measurement sessions, all participants will complete in-person study tasks and remote surveys. In-person study visits will include neurophysiological measures; EEG, EKG, skin conductance, and respiration rate measures and will take place at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Mass General Brigham in Charlestown, MA. Remote self-report surveys will be completed by participants during baseline and post-measurement either at home through a link secure to the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) REDCap database sent via email or using an electronic device at the CHA Center for Mindfulness and Compassion.

Conditions

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Depression

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introductory Program (HST-IIP) Group

The HST-IIP group will complete the Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introductory Program during weeks 1 through 4 of the study.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introduction Program (HST-IIP)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Heart-Smile Training (HST) is an interoceptive compassion program designed to develop the qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness for oneself and others with a focus on interoceptive awareness. It is unique from other compassion trainings in its focus on 1) embodiment of warmth and tenderness of compassionate feeling with a compassionate body scan meditation, 2) development of an "authentic presence," characterized by a warm feeling of loosened attachment to ego-based self, and 3) cultivation of joy triggered by genuine smile to oneself. HST-IIP is a 3-day/4-week/1-day interoceptive compassion program that shares the same core elements and practices as HST 3-day intensive program. Unlike HST, the format of the HST-IIP has an extended duration to develop self-regulation through the cultivation of emotional and behavioral regulation.

Waitlist Control Group

The waitlist arm will not complete any intervention during their time in the study. They will continue their treatment as usual without any change in their therapy session or medication. After their post study visits are complete, they will have the opportunity to participate in Mindfulness-Based Intervention courses through the Cambridge Health Alliance Center for Mindfulness and Compassion.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introduction Program (HST-IIP)

Heart-Smile Training (HST) is an interoceptive compassion program designed to develop the qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness for oneself and others with a focus on interoceptive awareness. It is unique from other compassion trainings in its focus on 1) embodiment of warmth and tenderness of compassionate feeling with a compassionate body scan meditation, 2) development of an "authentic presence," characterized by a warm feeling of loosened attachment to ego-based self, and 3) cultivation of joy triggered by genuine smile to oneself. HST-IIP is a 3-day/4-week/1-day interoceptive compassion program that shares the same core elements and practices as HST 3-day intensive program. Unlike HST, the format of the HST-IIP has an extended duration to develop self-regulation through the cultivation of emotional and behavioral regulation.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Sufficient English fluency to understand procedures and questionnaires
* Ability to provide informed consent
* Mild to moderately severe depression (CAT-DI score 35-75) (Achtyes et al., 2015; Gibbons et al., 2012)

Exclusion Criteria

* Cognitive inability as demonstrated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) \<24 OR the inability to complete consent quiz and baseline assessments (Nasreddine et al., 2005);
* Current participation in another research study;
* Unavailable or unable to participate in planned dates for the HST-IIP sessions;
* Expected hospitalization during the study period, including second and third trimester pregnancy at screening;
* Expected incarceration during the study period;
* Previous experience with mindfulness or other mind-body practices, defined as more than 10 minutes of practice per day, more than 5 days a week for the past 6 months; participation in an 8-week mindfulness group program in the last 2 years; or participation in a meditation retreat longer than 1 day in the past 2 years;
* Inability to successfully complete in-person study sessions with EEG, EKG, respiration rate, and skin conductance response measurement as determined by the principal investigator;
* Inability to participate safely in the study intervention and without disrupting the group (in the opinion of principal investigator OR meeting any of the following criteria):
* Active psychosis defined by a PSY-S-CAT score \> 60 (from the CAT-MH assessment) will trigger the requirement of a clinical assessment prior to participation in the program (Achtyes et al., 2015)
* Bipolar I disorder history or severe level of mania on CAT-MH (score \>70) (Achtyes et al., 2015): In addition, current use of mood stabilizing medication for bipolar disorder.
* Severe depression, indicated by CAT-DI \> 75 (Achtyes et al., 2015; Gibbons et al., 2012)
* Acute homicidality with plan and/or intent;
* Acute suicidality or hospitalization for suicide attempt or self-harm within three months of the enrollment period;
* Severe Borderline Personality Disorder or other severe personality disorder that may lead to disruptions within the group; and/or
* Moderate or severe Substance Use Disorder. In addition, reported use of illicit drugs (i.e., cocaine, methamphetamine) OR non-prescribed controlled medications (opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines) in the past 3 months.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No