Evaluating an Expressive Writing Intervention About Communicatively-Restricted Organizational Stressors: A Six-Week Randomized, Controlled Trial
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Stress Disorder
- Sponsor
- Santa Clara University
- Enrollment
- 44
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Lipids from baseline
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 12 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This project evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention sought to reduce the physical effects of stress related to those issues that individuals cannot successfully communicate with anyone about. To do this, the investigators will be implementing a writing intervention over the course of the 6-week study. The investigators will be asking all participants to complete questionnaires over the course of the study period. The investigators are also asking participants to provide a small blood sample (from a fingerstick procedure) at two times during the study as well as saliva samples during that same time. The primary research question asks if this intervention procedure is effective. The investigators are evaluating total cholesterol, high sensitivity c-reactive protein, and cortisol.
Investigators
Justin P. Boren
Assistant Professor
Santa Clara University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •110 pounds in weight
- •Ability to fast for 8 hours prior to laboratory visit
- •Staff member at Santa Clara University
- •Certain level of inclusionary pretest stress measure
Exclusion Criteria
- •Hepatitis
- •Endocrine Disease
- •Kidney or Liver Disease
- •Cancer (in any form)
- •Cushing's disorder
- •Rheumatological disorders
- •Respiratory Disorders
- •High blood pressure
- •Low blood pressure
- •Heart or cardiovascular problems
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Lipids from baseline
Time Frame: Week 1 and Week 6
Lipid panel includes total cholesterol, High-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides.
Change in high-sensitivity c-Reactive Protein from baseline
Time Frame: Week 1 and Week 6
Change in Cortisol Awakening Response from Baseline
Time Frame: Week 1 and Week 6
Measurement of Salivary Cortisol (hydrocortisone, compound-F) as a maximum difference between awakening and 30 minutes after awakening.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Perceived Global Stress over time(Week 1, Week 3, Week 6)
- Change in Organizational Stress over time(Week 1, Week 3, Week 6)
- Change in Perception of Communication Restriction of Stressor over time(Week 1, Week 3, Week 6)