Cognitively-Based Compassion Training and Mindfulness Attention Training Program

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This project will explore the effect of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training or mindfulness training on behavior and saliva stress hormones in elementary school-age children.

Detailed Description
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This project will explore the effect of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) or mindfulness training (MT) on different aspects of behavior and stress-related biology in elementary school-age children. The program will consist of 12 weeks of CBCT or MT, and various social behavioral assessments will be conducted. Participants will also provide saliva in which concentrations of stress hormones including cortisol and the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein will be measured.

Official Title
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Cognitively-Based Compassion Training and Mindfulness Attention Training for Elementary School Students

Conditions
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Behavioral Resilience, Biological Resilience

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT)
* Behavioral: Mindfulness training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age 7-12 enrollment at the Paideia School. Exclusion Criteria: poor physical health enrollment at a school other than the Paideia school.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 7 Years
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: MT<br>Mindfulness training. Participants will be provided with once per week training in mindfulness meditation. | Behavioral: Mindfulness training<br>* Mindfulness training will consist of 6 weeks training in mindfulness meditation.<br>* Other names: Mindfulness meditation;|
| Experimental: CBCT<br>Cognitively-based compassion training. Participants in this arm will be provided with once weekly training on the cognitively-based compassion training program. | Behavioral: Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT)<br>* CBCT is a 12 week program that begins by teaching mindfulness and attention. It then goes on to use new mindfulness skills to consider topics of compassion, or unbiased acceptance and compassion for all other people, both friends, unfamiliar people, and enemies.<br>* Other names: Compassion Meditation;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interpersonal behaviors assessed using standardized protocols of social behavior, social cognition, and empathy. | Assessments before and after CBCT or MT interventions will be conducted to see if these practices lead to changes in interpersonal behavior. Participants will be asked to respond to questions related to social behavior in the lab setting, with the Social Circle Task, Mind In The Eyes Task, and the Implicit Association Task. | 12 weeks | 
| Concentrations of stress system biomarkers in saliva | Assessments before and after CBCT or MT interventions will be conducted to see if these practices lead to changes in stress system activity, as measured by key biomarkers (cortisol, C-reactive protein) in saliva samples. | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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meditation, inflammation, children, attention