Heart-Smile Training Intensive Introduction Program

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Active, not recruiting

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 35

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: - Sufficient English fluency to understand procedures and questionnaires - Ability to provide informed consent - Mild to moderately severe depression (CAT-DI score 35-75) (Achtyes et al., 2015; Gibbons et al., 2012) Exclusion Criteria: - Cognitive inability as demonstrated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) <24 OR the inability to complete consent quiz and baseline assessments (Nasreddine et al., 2005); - Current participation in another research study; - Unavailable or unable to participate in planned dates for the HST-IIP sessions; - Expected hospitalization during the study period, including second and third trimester pregnancy at screening; - Expected incarceration during the study period; - Previous experience with mindfulness or other mind-body practices, defined as more than 10 minutes of practice per day, more than 5 days a week for the past 6 months; participation in an 8-week mindfulness group program in the last 2 years; or participation in a meditation retreat longer than 1 day in the past 2 years; - Inability to successfully complete in-person study sessions with EEG, EKG, respiration rate, and skin conductance response measurement as determined by the principal investigator; - Inability to participate safely in the study intervention and without disrupting the group (in the opinion of principal investigator OR meeting any of the following criteria): - Active psychosis defined by a PSY-S-CAT score > 60 (from the CAT-MH assessment) will trigger the requirement of a clinical assessment prior to participation in the program (Achtyes et al., 2015) - Bipolar I disorder history or severe level of mania on CAT-MH (score >70) (Achtyes et al., 2015): In addition, current use of mood stabilizing medication for bipolar disorder. - Severe depression, indicated by CAT-DI > 75 (Achtyes et al., 2015; Gibbons et al., 2012) - Acute homicidality with plan and/or intent; - Acute suicidality or hospitalization for suicide attempt or self-harm within three months of the enrollment period; - Severe Borderline Personality Disorder or other severe personality disorder that may lead to disruptions within the group; and/or - Moderate or severe Substance Use Disorder. In addition, reported use of illicit drugs (i.e., cocaine, methamphetamine) OR non-prescribed controlled medications (opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines) in the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from Baseline heartbeat evoked potential (HEP) at 5 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from Baseline Gamma Band Frequency at 5 weeks;Change from Baseline Depression (CAT-DI) at 5 weeks;Change from Baseline High Frequency Heart Rate Variability (HF-HRV) at 5 weeks.