The Relaxation vs. Retreat Study

NCT01857830 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 12-1039
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 96
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Stress; Ageing; Wellbeing

Keywords

Telomerase; Telomere Length; Psychological Stress; Amyloid beta proteins; Meditation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Telomerase

  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.

  Change from Baseline in Telomerase 96 hours later

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Amyloid Beta Proteins

  Change from baseline in Amyloid Beta Proteins, 96 hours later

• Psychological Well being

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

• Oxytocin

  Change from baseline in Oxytocin at 96 hours later.

• Telomere Length

  Change from Baseline in Telomere Length, 96 hours later

• Gene Expression

  Change from Baseline in Gene Expression, 96 hours later

Study Arms (2)

Meditation Retreat Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will participate in a 6 day meditation retreat at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA. They will be self-selected to participate in the retreat or are novice meditators randomized into this retreat.

Behavioral: Meditation Retreat

Relaxation/Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will stay at La Costa Resort and spa for a 6 day period and will participate in the Active Comparator Relaxation Group activities (i.e. series of lectures on longevity and health, shared meals, and other leisure activities).

Behavioral: Active Comparator Relaxation Group

Interventions

Meditation Retreat BEHAVIORAL

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

Meditation Retreat Group

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.

Relaxation/Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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)

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, San Francisco: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chopra Center for Wellbeing

Carlsbad, California, 92009, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress, Psychological; Plaque, Amyloid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Elissa Epel, PhD

  University of California, San Francisco

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Eli Puterman, PhD

  University of California, San Francisco

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD

  University of California, San Francisco

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Jue Lin, PhD

  University of California, San Francisco

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Samantha Schilf, BA

  University of California, San Francisco

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 25, 2013
• First Posted: May 20, 2013
• Study Start: April 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2013
• Study Completion: July 1, 2013
• Last Updated: August 21, 2013

Record last verified: 2013-08

Locations

US (1)