Brief Trainings to Buffer Against Acute Stress Effects

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Stress
• Interventions: Behavioral: Breath Awareness meditation training; Behavioral: Loving-Kindness meditation training; Behavioral: Gratitude; Behavioral: Control

• Registration Number: NCT02214264
• Lead Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of several brief trainings based on contemplative practices and positive psychology to buffer against the negative effects that acute stress has on behavior and cognitive abilities. The investigators hypothesize that training will buffer against negative effects of acute stress.

Detailed Description

Participants will be taught a stress reducing training (breath awareness, loving kindness practice, gratitude exercise) and will practice using this technique for 10-15 minutes. Following this, all participants will undergo the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) for up to 3 minutes.

Before and after these tasks, participant data related to attention, working memory, self regulation, affect, and prosociality will be collected.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2014-07-31
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-08-07
• Study First Posted: 2014-08-12
• Study Start: 2014-10
• Primary Completion: 2015-05
• Study Completion: 2015-05
• Status Verified: 2019-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-05-21
• Last Update Posted: 2019-05-23

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 172

Inclusion Criteria

• undergraduate psychology recruitment pool

Exclusion Criteria

• non-native English speakers, pregnant women

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Breath Awareness training	Breath Awareness meditation training	Participants receive Breath Awareness meditation training for approximately 12 minutes.
Loving-Kindness training	Loving-Kindness meditation training	Participants receive Loving-Kindness meditation training for approximately 12 minutes.
Gratitude training	Gratitude	Participants will receive Gratitude training for approximately 12 minutes.
Control	Control	Participants write and then think about the physical space in which they live (i.e., their home) for approximately 12 minutes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline in time spent on hand grip self regulation task	Baseline and 30 minutes post stress induction
Change from baseline performance on Operational Span task	Baseline and 10 minutes following post stress induction
Change from baseline on likeability ratings of neutral stimuli	Baseline and 1 minute post stress induction
Number of trials completed in optional Generosity task	40 minutes post stress induction
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings at baseline	Baseline
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after pre-test measures	2 minutes before training
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after training	1 minute after training
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after training	1 minute after training
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after stress induction	1 minute after stress induction
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after post-test	1 minute after post-test
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after stress induction	1 minute after stress induction
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after post-test	1 minute after post-test measures
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test at baseline	Baseline
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after pre-test measures	2 minutes before training

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participant interest in participating in future training	40 minutes post stress induction	Interest will be rated using a visual analog scale.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Wisconsin-Madison; 🇺🇸 Madison, Wisconsin, United States