The Impact of 8 Weeks of Digital Meditation Application and Healthy Eating Program on Work Stress and Health Outcomes

a study on Stress Psychological Behavioral Symptoms Sleep Health Behavior Weight, Body

Summary

for people ages 18 years and up (full criteria)
healthy people welcome
at San Francisco, California and other locations
study started
estimated completion
Aric Prather, PhDElissa Epel, PhDRachel Radin, PhD

Description

Summary

The aim of the present study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention and/or a healthy eating intervention in a sample of UCSF employees with overweight and obesity (BMI>=25kg/m2) who report mild to moderate stress. We will randomize UCSF employees to 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application, Headspace), a healthy eating intervention, a digital meditation+healthy eating intervention, or a waitlist control condition.

Official Title

Program on Work Stress and Health Outcomes in a Heterogeneous University Employee Cohort

Details

The aim of the present study is to test the effects of a digital meditation intervention and/or a healthy eating intervention in a sample of UCSF employees with overweight and obesity (BMI>=25kg/m2) who report mild to moderate stress. We will randomize UCSF employees to 8-weeks of a digital meditation intervention (using the commercially available application, Headspace), a healthy eating intervention, a digital meditation+healthy eating intervention, or a waitlist control condition.

Participants assigned to the digital meditation intervention group will be asked to download and use the Headspace mobile application for at least 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks. Participants assigned to the healthy eating intervention group will be asked to participate in a 50 minute motivational interviewing counseling session centered around healthy eating behaviors , three 10-minute booster phone calls at weeks 1, 4, and 8, and weekly participation in a digital mindful eating activity.

All study participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires at baseline, week 4, week 8 (post-intervention), and a 4-month follow-up period. Among participants who are randomized to the digital meditation intervention, they will also take part in a 1-year follow-up assessment. Physiological assessments (body composition, blood spot) will be obtained at an in-person clinic visit at baseline and week 8. Fitness, sleep, and mood data will be gathered for seven consecutive days at baseline and week 8.

Prior to randomization, participants will go through an eligibility screening and complete the baseline questionnaire battery. Adherence in the digital meditation intervention will be tracked remotely. The goal is to recruit as many as 150 participants.

Keywords

Stress Psychological Behavioral Symptoms Sleep Health Behavior Weight, Body Health Meditation Eating Mindfulness Employees Job strain Burnout Work Mood Affect Work related stress Blood pressure Inflammation Body Weight Healthy Eating Meditation + healthy eating

Eligibility

You can join if…

Open to people ages 18 years and up

You may join if you

  • Have access to a smartphone or computer every day
  • Are fluent in English
  • Are a UCSF employee
  • Report mild to moderate levels of stress (as determined by a Perceived Stress Scale score of 15 or higher)
  • Consent: demonstrate understanding of the study and willingness to participate as evidenced by voluntary informed consent and have received a signed and dated copy of the informed consent form
  • Are at least 18 years of age
  • Express a willingness to be randomly assigned into the waitlist group or the intervention groups
  • Report a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or above

You CAN'T join if...

You may not join if you:

  • Are an experienced meditator or have participated in a formal meditation practice in the last 3 months (defined as 3 times per week or more for 10 minutes or more at each practice)

Locations

  • University of California, San Francisco accepting new patients
    San Francisco California 94118 United States
  • University of California, San Francisco accepting new patients
    San Francisco California 94118 United States

Lead Scientists

  • Aric Prather, PhD
    Associate Professor, Psychiatry. Authored (or co-authored) 63 research publications
  • Elissa Epel, PhD
    Elissa Epel, Ph.D, is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, at University of California, San Francisco. Her research aims to elucidate mechanisms of healthy aging, and to apply this basic science to scalable interventions that can reach vulnerable populations.
  • Rachel Radin, PhD
    Dr. Rachel Radin is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the UCSF Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community. She is also a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of California (License # 30403). Her research interests include clarifying the biopsychosocial processes that contribute to eating behavior and metabolic health in adults.

Details

Status
accepting new patients
Start Date
Completion Date
(estimated)
Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
ID
NCT03945214
Study Type
Interventional
Last Updated