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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00179569

Molecular Processes of the Relaxation Response in Older Adults

The purpose of this study is to examine the molecular (nitric oxide) and biochemical (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and ACTH) parameters that are associated with RR elicitation and which may counteract the effects of acute stress in the elderly.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress

Age range

60 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

BIDMC

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 60-80 years of age
  • healthy individuals
  • willing and able to attend treatment sessions
  • willing to learn how to do and practice the relaxation-response
  • access to a working telephone
  • read and write English

Exclusion criteria

  • Major medical or psychiatric illness
  • asthma or seasonal allergies (resulting in nitric oxide levels >60 ppb)
  • smoking
  • previous relaxation-response practice
  • current use of the following medications:systemic corticosteroids, anti-convulsants/psychotics, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic therapy, anabolic steroids, antidepressants (other than SSRIs), dicyclomine, bile acid binding resins, or sympathomimetic medication

Treatment and study plan

Relaxation Response

Behavioral

8 weeks of relaxation response training

Primary outcomes

  1. A primary goal of this study is to quantify the magnitude of relaxation response elicitation by comparing oxygen consumption during rest versus during elicitation of the relaxation response in a sample of healthy older adults.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. A second area of interest is the relationship between exhaled levels of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen consumption (VO2) during relaxation response elicitation.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2005
Study completion
2007
First posted
Sep 16, 2005
Registry last updated
Nov 5, 2007

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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