Resilience Building Among Older Adults: the Heart Math Based Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-being

NCT06746818 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: EHEART
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Resilience building among older adults: The Heart Math based interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder, spirituality and psychosocial well-being. Resilience building among older adults is critically important, especially in the context of mental health challenges such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Interventions that promote well-being through innovative methods can significantly enhance the quality of life in this demographic. One such approach is the Heart Math-based intervention, which integrates techniques for emotional regulation, stress reduction, and overall psychosocial well-being. Understanding Heart Math Interventions The HeartMath training program, developed by the HeartMath Institute, focuses on teaching individuals self-regulation skills that promote heart-brain coherence. This state of coherence has been associated with improved cognitive function, emotional stability, and physical health. By integrating this training into the care of older adults with PTSD, nurses can play a pivotal role in addressing the complex emotional and psychological needs of this population. . The key components of Heart Math interventions include:

• Reduced Anxiety and Stress: By learning techniques to control physiological responses to stress, older adults can experience lower levels of anxiety and an improved ability to manage PTSD symptoms.
• Enhanced Emotional Regulation: These interventions help individuals to better regulate their emotions, reducing instances of emotional dysregulation often seen in PTSD.
• Greater Spiritual Connection: Engaging in practices that promote positive emotions and mindfulness can enhance a sense of spirituality and purpose, which is particularly beneficial in aging populations.
• Improved Social Support: Group-based Heart Math interventions can foster social connections, which play a key role in building resilience among older adults.
• Overall Well-Being: Focusing on emotional health fosters a holistic outlook, improving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Practical Implementation
• Workshops and Group Sessions: Facilitate group workshops that incorporate Heart Math techniques. This encourages peer support and sharing of experiences.
• Personal Coaching: Offer one-on-one sessions to guide older adults through Heart Math practices, tailored to their specific needs and trauma experiences.
• Follow-Up and Support: Establish ongoing support systems, such as regular check-ins or additional resources, to help maintain the benefits gained through the interventions.
• Integrate into Existing Programs: Consider incorporating these techniques into existing mental health programs targeting older adults, enhancing current offerings with a focus on resilience.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Keywords

Resilience; older adults; posttraumatic stress disorder; spirituality; psychosocial well-being

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Tool II: The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (The PDS-5)

  Primary Outcome Measure: The PDS-5 is a self-report instrument that involves 24 elements and evaluates PTSD symptom severity in the past month in accordance with DSM-5 criteria (Foa et al., 2016). The PDS-5 begins with trauma-history screen questions to assess the trauma history of the participant. Twenty questions were devised to assess the presence and severity of the PTSD symptoms in relation to the index trauma; symptom questions were based on the DSM-5 symptom clusters of intrusion (Items 1-5), avoidance (Items 6 -7), changes in mood and cognition (Items 8 -14), and arousal and hyper-reactivity (Items 15-20).

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Tool III: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10-Item

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Tool IV: Spiritual Well-being Scale

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Tool V: Psychosocial Wellbeing Questionnaire

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (2)

Usual care

NO INTERVENTION

No care

Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

. The key components of Heart Math interventions include: 1. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Training: This involves biofeedback techniques to help individuals learn how to control their heart rate and promote emotional balance. 2. Quick Coherence Technique: Participants are guided through a series of steps to shift their emotional state from stress to calmness, facilitating a sense of peace and emotional clarity. 3. Focus on Positive Emotions: Encouraging individuals to cultivate feelings like gratitude and compassion can enhance resilience and overall mental well-being. 4. Mindfulness Practices: Incorporating mindfulness helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, allowing them to respond to stressors more effectively.

Behavioral: Heart Math interventions

Interventions

Heart Math interventions BEHAVIORAL

. The key components of Heart Math interventions include: 1. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Training: This involves biofeedback techniques to help individuals learn how to control their heart rate and promote emotional balance. 2. Quick Coherence Technique: Participants are guided through a series of steps to shift their emotional state from stress to calmness, facilitating a sense of peace and emotional clarity. 3. Focus on Positive Emotions: Encouraging individuals to cultivate feelings like gratitude and compassion can enhance resilience and overall mental well-being. 4. Mindfulness Practices: Incorporating mindfulness helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, allowing them to respond to stressors more effectively.

Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \- Older adults aged 60 or more for both the control and study groups.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mansoura University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mansoura U

Al Mansurah, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: The Heart Math Institute has been researching the relationship between the heart, brain, and body and its association to personal well-being and optimal functioning. Based on extensive research, the institute has developed a program that teaches participants the science behind and techniques designed to reduce the negative effects of stress and increase resilience (HeartMath Institute, 2020). The HeartMath intervention was conducted after the researcher successfully completed 13 hours (over two months) training of professional development in "The Resilience Heart TM: Trauma- Sensitive HeartMath Course" from HeartMath Institute.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 7, 2024
• First Posted: December 24, 2024
• Study Start: July 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2025
• Study Completion: February 1, 2025
• Last Updated: December 24, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Locations

EG (1)