Does the Relaxation Response Inhibit Acute Stress?

Phase 2

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy

• Registration Number: NCT00179595
• Lead Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Brief Summary

The purposes of this study are:

1. To examine molecular and biochemical changes, associated with the relaxation response (RR) that can counteract the effects of stress in healthy adults.

2. To compare genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters between healthy adults with a long term meditative practice and those with no experience in meditation.

Since stress is a factor in the development of many health conditions, a further understanding of the mechanisms of the RR should be developed. The project is designed to determine how the RR can improve the quality of life that has been adversely affected by stress.

Detailed Description

The purposes of this study are:

1. To examine molecular and biochemical changes, associated with the relaxation response (RR) that can counteract the effects of stress in healthy adults.

2. To compare genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters between healthy adults with a long term meditative practice and those with no experience in meditation.

Since stress is a factor in the development of many health conditions, a further understanding of the mechanisms of the RR should be developed. The project is designed to determine how the RR can improve the quality of life that has been adversely affected by stress.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2002-05
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-13
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-16
• Primary Completion: 2011-10
• Study Completion: 2011-10
• Status Verified: 2017-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-02-14
• Last Update Posted: 2017-02-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 140

Inclusion Criteria

• healthy individual
• age:18-49 years
• able to read and understand English
• able to attend al study visits
• access to a telephone (to schedule visits)

Exclusion Criteria

• current smoking

• asthma

• current use of any prescription or psychoactive medications or supplements

• either:

  1. no prior experience with RR eliciting techniques
  2. at least 3 years of regular RR elicitation (at least 20 min/day)

• BMI >30

• exhaled nitric oxide levels >60 ppb

• abnormal lab values (Hct <32,creatinine >1.3, glucose >200

• pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To examine molecular and biochemical changes, associated with the relaxation response (RR) that can counteract the effects of stress in healthy adults.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To compare genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters between healthy adults with a long term meditative practice and those with no experience in meditation.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States