Basic Mechanisms of Meditation and Cardiovascular Disease in Older Blacks

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Cardiovascular Diseases

• Registration Number: NCT00010530
• Lead Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of meditation on older African Americans with documented cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Detailed Description

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in older African Americans, and accounts for 40% of the disproportionate risk for mortality observed in African Americans compared to white Americans. The majority of CVD patients experience acute cardiac events, many sudden and unexpected, despite conventional treatment of their disease and associated traditional risk factors. The pathophysiologic basis of these cardiac events is not fully established, but substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress and the sympathetic nervous system have adverse effects on both vasomotor function and long-term autonomic balance. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of acute cardiac events-specifically, the roles that arterial vasomotor dysfunction and sympathetic nervous system imbalance play in the pathophysiology of such acute events-provide a platform for a new mechanistic investigation of the interplay of psychosocial and environmental stress and CVD. Preliminary evidence demonstrating elevated peripheral vasoconstriction due to stress-mediated sympathetic nervous system response in African Americans further suggests that these mechanisms are particularly relevant in this group.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 1999-09
• Study First Submitted: 2001-02-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2001-02-02
• Study First Posted: 2001-02-05
• Primary Completion: 2006-07
• Study Completion: 2006-07
• Status Verified: 2009-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2009-12-04
• Last Update Posted: 2009-12-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: Not specified

Inclusion Criteria

• African-American (self-identified)
• Local residence
• Able to participate
• Coronary artery disease by MI, CABG, PTCA (>3 months prior), or angiography
• Consent and referring MD approval

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States

Maharishi University of Management Center for Health and Aging Studies; 🇺🇸 Fairfield, Iowa, United States