Mindfulness in Chronic Kidney Disease
- Conditions
- Chronic Kidney Diseases
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)Behavioral: Health enhancement program (HEP)Device: Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS)Device: Sham-transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS)
- Registration Number
- NCT04099992
- Lead Sponsor
- Emory University
- Brief Summary
This study will test whether mindfulness meditation (MM) improves sympathetic function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and whether transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) optimizes the sympatho-inhibitory effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) and restores autonomic balance in CKD patients.
- Detailed Description
Approximately 30 million people in the US have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are at 5-15 fold greater risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and mortality. A major factor contributing to increased CV risk in these patients is chronic elevation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity.
Patients with even minimal decrements in kidney function have significant and substantial increases in SNS activity and reactivity that are independently linked to adverse CV events. The mechanisms underlying SNS overactivity in CKD are multifactorial, and include chronic inflammation and blunted arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). SNS overactivity, in turn, leads to downstream deleterious effects on ambulatory BP profiles characterized by higher daytime BP, and lack of normal reductions in nocturnal BP (i.e. nocturnal nondipping), both of which are independently linked to increased CV risk. Current treatments to combat SNS overactivity are limited to sympatholytic medications such as β-blockers, α-blockers, and clonidine; however, these pharmacologic agents are associated with long-term adverse metabolic consequences such as insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia, and often intolerable side effects such as fatigue, orthostatic hypotension, and rebound hypertension. New therapeutic strategies to safely and effectively ameliorate SNS over-activity are of paramount importance to improve clinical outcomes in this highly prevalent and high-risk patient population.
Mindfulness meditation (MM) may be one such novel, safe, and effective approach at improving hemodynamics and autonomic function in CKD. Prior studies have shown that 8 weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) lowers BP in a variety of patient groups. Although the mechanisms are poorly understood, studies using indirect measures of SNS activity such as heart rate variability suggest that MM may exert its hemodynamic effects via autonomic modulation.
This study tests whether mindfulness meditation (MM) improves sympathetic function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and whether transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) optimizes the sympatho-inhibitory effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) and restores autonomic balance in CKD patients. These study aims are tested with two separate protocols.
Protocol 1 tests the sustained effects of MBSR on SNS function and BP profiles in CKD. Participants will be randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR or a health enhancement program (HEP).
Protocol 2 tests an optimization strategy to enhance the sympatho-inhibitory effects of MM and restore autonomic balance using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in CKD. The vagus nerve, the major effector of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), is composed of afferent nerve fibers that connect to the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and other brainstem regions that influence central SNS output and baroreflexes, and efferent nerve fibers that activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Both experimental and human studies have shown promising results that stimulation of the vagus nerve lowers BP reduces SNS activity, improves BRS, and lowers inflammation. Participants with Stage III and IV CKD will be randomized into one of four study arms: MBSR with tVNS, MBSR with sham-tVNS, HEP with tVNS, and HEP with sham-tVNS. Participants will self-administer tVNS or sham-tVNS twice per day for 8 weeks.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 150
- stages III and IV CKD as defined by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) creatinine equation
- stable renal function (no greater than a decline of eGFR of 1 cc/min/1.73 m2 per month over the prior 3 months)
- severe CKD (eGFR<15 cc/min)
- diabetic neuropathy
- autonomic dysfunction
- any serious disease that might influence survival
- anemia with hemoglobin <10 g/dL
- treatment with central α-agonists or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
- myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months
- uncontrolled hypertension (BP≥170/100 mm Hg)
- low BP (BP<100/50 mm Hg)
- bradycardia (HR<55 beats/min)
- ongoing drug or alcohol abuse (defined as >2 drinks/day in men, and >1 drink/day in women)
- surgery within the past 3 months
- adjustment of antihypertensive medications within the past month
- pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
- psychosis
- suicidal ideation
- implanted electronic or metallic device such as a pacemaker
- implanted hearing aid, bone plate, carotid stent, bone screw at or near the neck
- carotid atherosclerosis
- concurrent use of another stimulating device such as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) tis designed to provide education about mindfulness and stress; experiential mindfulness practice, and discussion of participants' experiences with mindfulness practice. MBSR is delivered in 8 weekly 2.5-hour group sessions and one day-long retreat that occurs after the 6th session. MBSR+tVNS Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) tis designed to provide education about mindfulness and stress; experiential mindfulness practice, and discussion of participants' experiences with mindfulness practice. MBSR is delivered in 8 weekly 2.5-hour group sessions and one day-long retreat that occurs after the 6th session. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a simple, noninvasive, self-administered adjunctive therapy, that may enhance the sympatho-inhibitory effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) . MBSR+tVNS Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) tis designed to provide education about mindfulness and stress; experiential mindfulness practice, and discussion of participants' experiences with mindfulness practice. MBSR is delivered in 8 weekly 2.5-hour group sessions and one day-long retreat that occurs after the 6th session. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a simple, noninvasive, self-administered adjunctive therapy, that may enhance the sympatho-inhibitory effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) . Health enhancement program (HEP) Health enhancement program (HEP) Health enhancement program (HEP) is designed to provide a structurally parallel, active control intervention to MBSR with health benefits in their own right, while omitting any components of mindfulness. HEP participants will meet with a health educator in a group setting for 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions with a day-long retreat. HEP+tVNS Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) Health enhancement program (HEP) is designed to provide a structurally parallel, active control intervention to MBSR with health benefits in their own right, while omitting any components of mindfulness. HEP participants will meet with a health educator (a registered dietician) in a group setting for 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a simple, noninvasive, self-administered adjunctive therapy, that may enhance the sympatho-inhibitory effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). HEP+sham-tVNS Health enhancement program (HEP) Health enhancement program (HEP) is designed to provide a structurally parallel, active control intervention to MBSR with health benefits in their own right, while omitting any components of mindfulness. HEP participants will meet with a health educator in a group setting for 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions. Sham stimulation is be delivered using a sham device that is identical in appearance and function to tVNS, but programmed to produce a lower frequency (0.1 Hz) biphasic signal that can be felt by the participant without actually stimulating the vagus nerve. HEP+sham-tVNS Sham-transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) Health enhancement program (HEP) is designed to provide a structurally parallel, active control intervention to MBSR with health benefits in their own right, while omitting any components of mindfulness. HEP participants will meet with a health educator in a group setting for 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions. Sham stimulation is be delivered using a sham device that is identical in appearance and function to tVNS, but programmed to produce a lower frequency (0.1 Hz) biphasic signal that can be felt by the participant without actually stimulating the vagus nerve. MBSR+sham-tVNS Sham-transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) tis designed to provide education about mindfulness and stress; experiential mindfulness practice, and discussion of participants' experiences with mindfulness practice. MBSR is delivered in 8 weekly 2.5-hour group sessions and one day-long retreat that occurs after the 6th session. Sham stimulation will be delivered using a sham device that is identical in appearance and function to tVNS, but programmed to produce a lower frequency biphasic signal that can be felt by the participant without actually stimulating the vagus nerve. MBSR+sham-tVNS Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) tis designed to provide education about mindfulness and stress; experiential mindfulness practice, and discussion of participants' experiences with mindfulness practice. MBSR is delivered in 8 weekly 2.5-hour group sessions and one day-long retreat that occurs after the 6th session. Sham stimulation will be delivered using a sham device that is identical in appearance and function to tVNS, but programmed to produce a lower frequency biphasic signal that can be felt by the participant without actually stimulating the vagus nerve. HEP+tVNS Health enhancement program (HEP) Health enhancement program (HEP) is designed to provide a structurally parallel, active control intervention to MBSR with health benefits in their own right, while omitting any components of mindfulness. HEP participants will meet with a health educator (a registered dietician) in a group setting for 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a simple, noninvasive, self-administered adjunctive therapy, that may enhance the sympatho-inhibitory effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Mean Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity (MSNA) Burst Frequency (BF) Baseline, 8 weeks Multiunit postganglionic sympathetic nerve activity is recorded from a tungsten microelectrode inserted into the peroneal nerve with a reference microelectrode inserted in close proximity. Efferent nerve signals are amplified, filtered, rectified and integrated (time constant 0.1 s) to obtain a mean voltage display of MSNA. MSNA bursts are automatically detected using the following criteria: burst-to-noise ratio of 3:1 within a 0.5-s search window, with an average latency of 1.2-1.3 s in burst occurrence from the previous R-wave. MSNA is expressed as burst frequency measured a bursts per minute.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Heart Rate Assessed by 24-hour EKG Monitoring Baseline, 8 weeks The 24-hour EKG monitoring will be performed using a portable Holter monitor. Stickers will be placed on the participants chest to record their heart rate.
Change in Daytime Blood Pressure (BP) Baseline, 8 weeks Blood pressure is assessed with 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Upper arm readings will be taken for at least 24 hours. BP measurements will be made every 20 minutes during the daytime period, from 7 ante meridiem (AM) to 11 post meridiem (PM). Participants will record their wake and sleep times, and analyses will be adjusted for the participant's individual wake and sleep times.
Change in Nocturnal Dipping of Blood Pressure (BP) Baseline, 8 weeks Blood pressure is assessed with 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Upper arm readings will be taken for at least 24 hours. BP measurements will be made every 30 minutes during the nighttime period, from 11 PM to 7 AM. Participants will record their wake and sleep times, and analyses will be adjusted for the participant's individual wake and sleep times.
Change in Baroreflex Sensitivity (BRS) Among Protocol 2 Participants Baseline, 8 weeks Afferent sympathetic baroreflex input travels to the brainstem via the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves and integrate with brainstem centers that regulate efferent SNS (sympathetic BRS) and parasympathetic (cardiovagal BRS) outflow. BRS is defined as the change in interbeat interval (IBI) in milliseconds per unit change in BP. For example, when the BP rises by 10 mmHg and IBI increases by 100 ms, BRS would be 100/10 = 10 ms/mmHg.
Change in Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Level Among Protocol 2 Participants Baseline, 8 weeks Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cell signaling protein (cytokine) involved in systemic inflammation and is one of the cytokines that make up the acute phase reaction. It will be measured by blood test.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Atlanta VA Medical Center
🇺🇸Atlanta, Georgia, United States