Self Help Intervention to Decrease Stress

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The present study is designed to test the feasibility and efficacy of a stand alone self help program for decreasing stress and anxiety and enhancing quality of life. The intervention will be offered in the form of a self help book and three handouts with no in-person instructor time.

Detailed Description
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Stress is a ubiquitous problem and a mediator of symptoms for a variety of medical conditions. Most medical diagnoses, procedures, and physician visits are associated with considerable stress. Excessive stress is associated with adverse medical outcomes, unhealthy coping mechanisms, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and overall a poor quality of life. No specific pharmacologic treatment is available for treating stress. Further, it is often difficult or sometimes impossible to change the reality of circumstances causing stress in an individual. Thus increasing individual coping mechanisms and ability of a person to handle stress, rather than changing the stressors itself might be a more feasible approach towards reducing stress. Several interventions are available to decrease stress. Majority of these programs entail extensive in-person training which impacts on widespread dissemination of the program. We are interested in applying an innovative approach toward stress management by testing the efficacy of a stand alone self help program offered in the form of a book with no in-person instructor time. Participants will receive a copy of the book, Train Your Brain Engage Your Heart Transform Your Life along with three handouts summarizing the contents of the book. This book describes the program of Attention and Interpretation therapy that is designed to help decrease stress and anxiety and has been developed at Mayo Clinic Rochester.

Official Title
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Self Help Intervention to Decrease Stress: A Pilot Trial

Conditions
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Stress, Psychological

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Attention and Interpretation Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: At least 18 years of age Good general health Provided with, understand, and have signed the informed consent Exclusion criteria: Are currently using (at time of enrollment) antipsychotics and/or antidepressants Have a life time history of schizophrenia. Previously participated in Attention and Interpretation Therapy (AIT) training.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 90 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

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Attention and Interpretation Therapy<br> | Behavioral: Attention and Interpretation Therapy<br>* Participants will receive a copy of the book, Train Your Brain Engage Your Heart Transform Your Life along with three handouts summarizing the contents of the book.<br>* Other names: Stress Management Program;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To assess the feasibility of testing a self help stress management program for improving stress in a pilot clinical trial. |  | 12 Weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To assess the efficacy of the self help stress management program on resilience. |  | 12 Weeks | 
| To assess the efficacy of the self help stress management program on stress. |  | 12 Weeks | 
| To assess the efficacy of the self help stress management program on anxiety. |  | 12 Weeks | 
| To assess the efficacy of the self help stress management program on mindfulness. |  | 12 Weeks | 
| To assess the efficacy of the self help stress management program on overall quality of life. |  | 12 Weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Anxiety, Stress, Resilience, Mindfulness, Quality of Life, Stress Management