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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01857830

The Relaxation vs. Retreat Study

The purpose of this research study is to examine whether a short term meditation intervention can improve health, mood, and biological markers of cellular stress and aging in novice and experienced meditators compared to controls.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Ageing Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Plaque, Amyloid Stress, Psychological Wellbeing

Age range

30 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Chopra Center for Wellbeing

Carlsbad, California, 92009, United States

About this study

There are 3 parts to this research study, Part A, B, and C.

In Part A, participants complete a brief online questionnaire sent to them via email by the study coordinator.

During Part B of the study, participants stay at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA for 6 nights and participate in a meditation retreat being held at the resort, or stay at the resort without participating in the retreat. During their stay, participants attend two in-person research assessments throughout the week. Assessments will be 4 days (96 hours) apart for all participants and will include a fasting blood draw, body measurements, and self-report questionnaires.

Part C of the study includes a brief online questionnaire that is completed 1 month after participants leave La Costa Resort.

This study includes 3 groups: a group of "novice meditators" from the greater San Diego Region that are randomized into either the 1) Relaxation (Control) group or 2) Retreat group. The third group is comprised of self-selected "experienced meditators" who are already enrolled in the retreat. In total, 99 participants were recruited for this study.

The Retreat group stays at La Costa Resort and attends a 6 day meditation retreat intervention as well as completes all research study assessments and questionnaires.

The Relaxation (Control) group stays at La Costa Resort for 6 nights, but does not attend the meditation retreat. They attend once daily lectures on science topics and complete all research study assessments and questionnaires.

The Experienced Retreat group participants have an ongoing meditation practice and have enrolled themselves in the April 2013 meditation retreat. All of the Experienced meditators attend the meditation retreat and complete all research study assessments and questionnaires.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy
  • Women
  • Age 30-60
  • "Novice Meditator" (meditates for 30 minutes per week or less) or "Experienced Meditator" (meditates at 40 or more per week and for more than 6 months, and are self-selected/enrolled in the retreat)

Exclusion criteria

  • Current or history of a major medical condition (such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes)
  • Smokers (have not smoked regularly for the past 6 months)
  • Currently taking antidepressants
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Currently taking Hormone Replacement Therapy or birth control pills

Treatment and study plan

Meditation Retreat

Behavioral

The intervention is a one week meditation and yoga retreat hosted at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.

Active Comparator Relaxation Group

Behavioral

Participants are randomized to stay at La Costa Resort and Spa for 6 days. Participants will receive daily meals similar to the meals for those in the retreat group. Participants will also receive a daily one hour lecture on topics related to longevity and health.

Primary outcomes

  1. Telomerase

    Time frame: Change from Baseline in Telomerase 96 hours later

    Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment. Telomerase will be measured at both time points.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Amyloid Beta Proteins

    Time frame: Change from baseline in Amyloid Beta Proteins, 96 hours later

    Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment. Amyloid beta protein levels will be measured in the blood at both time points.

  2. Psychological Well being

    Time frame: Change from Baseline in psychological well being at 96 hours, and 1 month later.

    We will collect self reported measures of vitality, purpose in life, perceived stress, rumination, self-compassion, mindfulness, presence in the moment, mind wandering, depression, acceptance and action, and body responsiveness in questionnaires. Participants complete questionnaires before arriving at La Costa (baseline), after their stay (follow-up) and one month after they leave (1-month follow-up). Additionally, they complete daily questionnaires that ask about their daily experiences (emotions, stress).

  3. Oxytocin

    Time frame: Change from baseline in Oxytocin at 96 hours later.

    Plasma is saved from baseline and 96 hour followup for oxytocin assays.

  4. Telomere Length

    Time frame: Change from Baseline in Telomere Length, 96 hours later

    Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment. Telomere Length will be measured at both time points.

  5. Gene Expression

    Time frame: Change from Baseline in Gene Expression, 96 hours later

    Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment. Patterns of gene expression (specifically on genes related to aging) will be measured at both time points.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Francisco

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of a Short Term Meditation Retreat on Markers of Cellular Stress and Aging

Acronym: R&R

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
May 20, 2013
Registry last updated
Aug 21, 2013

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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