NCT04859686

Brief Summary

AMWELL is a randomized, waitlist-controlled, pilot study to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Acupuncture (AT) to Wait-List Control (WL) in adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiencing symptoms of psychological distress.

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
77

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2008

Typical duration for not_applicable

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2008

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2009

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 30, 2010

Completed
10 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 23, 2020

Completed
6 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 26, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

July 8, 2021

Status Verified

April 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

1.1 years

First QC Date

October 23, 2020

Last Update Submit

July 2, 2021

Conditions

Keywords

PTSDDepressionAcupunctureMindfulness-based stress reductionChild abuse survivors

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • PTSD Checklist 4 (PCL-IV) Score

    PCL-IV is a self-report measure of 17 DSM-IV symptoms of PTSD. A total symptom severity score (range = 17-85) was obtained by summing the scores from each of the 17 items that have response options ranging from 1 "Not at all" to 5 "Extremely. Higher scores indicate worse symptoms of PTSD. Participants were evaluated by a study coordinator at a baseline visit, at 4 weeks for a mid-treatment measure, at 8 weeks for a posttreatment measure, and at 12 weeks for a one month follow-up assessment. Effects of the intervention were assessed using repeated measures, mixed model analysis of mean scores for each of the outcomes at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The magnitude of treatment effect was calculated by Cohen's d for each treatment defined as the baseline to 8 week or 12 week change in mean score divided by the standard deviation of the change in scores.

    Week 4, 8 and 12

  • Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) Score

    The 21-item BDI-II is a widely-used, standardized, validated self-reporting measure of depressive symptom severity. It addresses affective, behavioral, biological, cognitive, and motivational symptoms of depression. Participants rated statements from 0 to 3 to indicate the level which best described the severity of the symptoms experienced. The ratings were summed to a total score, with ranges of 4-9 indicating "normal," 10-18 "mild," 9-29 "moderate to severe," and ≥ 30 indicating "severe." Scores range from 0 - 40. Higher scores indicate worse depressive symptoms. Effects of the intervention were assessed using repeated measures, mixed model analysis of mean scores for each of the outcomes at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The magnitude of treatment effect was calculated by Cohen's d for each treatment defined as the baseline to 8 week or 12 week change in mean score divided by the standard deviation of the change in scores.

    Week, 4, 8 and 12

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI Score

    Week 4, 8 and 12

  • The Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) Score

    Week 4, 8 and 12

Study Arms (2)

Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants underwent intervention.

Behavioral: Mindfulness-Based Stress ReductionProcedure: Acupuncture Treatment

Waitlist

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received no intervention.

Interventions

The MBSR program included weekly 2.5-hour sessions in a group format over eight weeks, plus a 1-day retreat. Formal practices included several types of meditation, such as mindful breathing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, gentle hatha yoga, body scan, and mindful awareness. Participants were asked to practice at home for 20 minutes daily, six days a week.

Also known as: MBSR
Treatment

Participants received two treatments per week over eight weeks, 35-40 minutes each. At each treatment, participants were treated with 10 body and two ear points: seven major points on either the front or back of the body. The treatment position alternated between sessions, such that the first session was on the back, with the next session on the front, unless a physical limitation prevented alternation.

Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

Age21 Years+
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Female survivors of childhood sexual assault reported in a clinical interview (e.g., age at which the abuse began and continued, frequency and duration, and the perpetrator)
  • At least 21 years old
  • Ability to read and write in English
  • Under the care of a licensed psychotherapist or physician for study duration
  • Clinical approval for acupuncture or MBSD
  • Ability to attend 80% of the sessions
  • Willingness to practice skills 20-30 minutes per day, six days a week
  • If taking psychotropic medication, on a stable dose for 30 days prior to baseline
  • A score of 0.5 or greater on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)

You may not qualify if:

  • Any major illness or psychiatric disorder
  • Symptom severity as evidenced by a CGI-S score of 6 or 7
  • Current suicidal ideation
  • Active alcoholism or drug dependency
  • Current enrollment in another clinical trial
  • Major surgery scheduled
  • Plans to move from the area during the 12-week study period
  • Current pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, or no means of birth control

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-TraumaticDepression

Interventions

Mindfulness-Based Stress ReductionAcupuncture Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, TraumaticTrauma and Stressor Related DisordersMental DisordersBehavioral SymptomsBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

MindfulnessCognitive Behavioral TherapyBehavior TherapyPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeutics

Study Officials

  • Brian Berman, MD

    University of Maryland, Baltimore

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
FED
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 23, 2020

First Posted

April 26, 2021

Study Start

September 1, 2008

Primary Completion

October 1, 2009

Study Completion

October 30, 2010

Last Updated

July 8, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-04