NCT06510907

Brief Summary

Objectives: To examine the feasibility and acceptability of treating nocturnal hypertension by mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR). This will provide data essential for the main trial, which will also examine the definite effectiveness of MBSR to reduce nocturnal blood pressure (BP). Hypothesis to be tested: MBSR and the current trial are acceptable and safe to patients with nocturnal hypertension; and future main trial is feasible in terms of recruitment, dropout rate and adherence to MBSR/BP measurements. Design and subjects: This pilot randomized-controlled trial will recruit 76 patients with nocturnal HT (night-time Systolic BP (SBP) during sleep 120 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (awake SBP = 135-159mmHg), as detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Participants will be allocated in 1:1 ratio by stratified block randomization (by age and presence of mood disorder) to receive MBSR (intervention group) or usual care (control group) respectively. Instruments: ABPM/HBPM/MBSR patients' diary. Interventions: The generic 8-week MBSR will be taught by a certified MBSR teacher. Participants in MBSR arm will be asked to meditate 40 minutes every day during the interventional period. Main outcome measures: rate of recruitment/dropout/adherence to MBSR/BP measurements Data analysis and expected results: The rate of recruitment/dropout/adherence to MBSR/BP measurements will be presented. The acceptability of MBSR and the trial will also be assessed by patients' interviews. A high level of rate of recruitment, adherence to both MBSR and BP measurements and acceptability to MBSR are expected.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
76

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable hypertension

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2023

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

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

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2023

Completed
9 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 15, 2024

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 19, 2024

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 30, 2024

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2024

Completed
Last Updated

February 13, 2025

Status Verified

February 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

12 months

First QC Date

July 15, 2024

Last Update Submit

February 11, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

hypertensionnocturnal hypertensionmindfulnessMBSR

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • rate of recruitment

    number of participants recruited per month during the recruitment period

    over 1- year

  • feasibility of repeated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

    the proportion of patients finishing both ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

    baseline, 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • blood pressure as measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

    baseline, 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

mindfulness-based stress reduction program on top of usual care

EXPERIMENTAL

Mindfulness training will be delivered through a generic 8-week MBSR.

Behavioral: mindfulness based stress reduction program

Usual Care

NO INTERVENTION

Since all participants have sub-optimal daytime BP control (grade I HT), they will be given an information sheet about lifestyle treatment for HT and be advised to adhere to these lifestyle changes at recruitment by the research assistant or research nurse (to participants in both arms). For grade I HT, it is the standard clinical practice to advise non-pharmacological treatment for a few months before increasing the doses of medications. (2) There is no additional intervention provided to the standard care group. The case doctors and the patients in the standard care arm will be informed not to amend drug treatment before the ABPM at the 8-week end-point (primary end-point in future definitive RCT). In Hong Kong, patients have unlimited access to publicly-funded primary care clinics and emergency departments for any health problem. This is not limited to participants in the trial.

Interventions

Mindfulness training will be delivered through a generic 8-week MBSR. The MBSR will consist of weekly 2-hour classes, in which the techniques to various meditations (e.g., body scan, mindful awareness of breathing, body, sounds, thoughts, emotions, and mindful movements) will be taught and discussed. Participants will be asked to meditate for ≥40 minutes every day during the 8-week program as "homework". Besides cultivating attention control and a non-judgemental stance to experience, psychoeducation about psychological stress and stress response will also be discussed during the MBSR classes. The MBSR teacher will discuss any difficulties encountered during homework meditations in every class to enhance adherence. Each MBSR class can have up to 25 participants. The 8-week program will be taught by a qualified MBSR teacher

mindfulness-based stress reduction program on top of usual care

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • diagnosed hypertension (HT) from clinical records (with or without anti-hypertensive medications)
  • nocturnal HT (night-time systolic blood pressure \[SBP\] during sleep ≥120 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (daytime SBP = 135-159 mmHg), as detected by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)
  • no change of dose and type of anti-hypertensive(s) in the prior 2 months

You may not qualify if:

  • patients with atrial fibrillation (these patients have greater blood pressure variability)
  • daytime office systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥180 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥120 mmHg (regardless of nocturnal BP)
  • patients with known obstructive sleep apnoea
  • history of dementia or psychotic illnesses
  • patients with end-stage malignancies
  • nocturnal worker, because they will have a reverse BP pattern to other participants
  • patients receiving ≥3 BP medications at maximal tolerated doses
  • previous participation in structured mindfulness program(s) of ≥8 weeks or regular daily meditation practices
  • reported sleep time of \<4 hours per day
  • patients who do not agree to keep the same dose of anti-HT medications during the trial period
  • patients receiving anti-coagulants

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

School of public health and primary care

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hypertension

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vascular DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
clinical associate professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 15, 2024

First Posted

July 19, 2024

Study Start

November 1, 2023

Primary Completion

October 30, 2024

Study Completion

December 31, 2024

Last Updated

February 13, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Locations