Loving Kindness Meditation Among Adults 50 Years and Older

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this clinical trial is to test the feasibility and acceptability of loving-kindness meditation among adults 50 years and older. It will also examine the benefits of this intervention and compare the outcomes between two groups (intervention and wait-list control).

Detailed Description
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The main aim of the research is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Loving-kindness meditation intervention among adults 50 years or older. It will also examine the intervention's preliminary impact on loneliness, self-compassion, cognitive function, and psychological well-being. The study will use a randomized controlled trial with waitlist control.

Official Title
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Loving Kindness Meditation Among Adults 50 Years and Older

Conditions
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Loneliness

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Loving-kindness Meditation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: • Adults 50 years or older living in Southern Nevada Exclusion Criteria: • Cognitive or language barrier that would make it difficult to understand and sign the informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 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
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Loving kindness meditation<br>Loving-kindness meditation is a contemplative practice that focuses on developing compassion for oneself and others through mindfulness. Participants will be shown the recorded loving-kindness training video during the first week of the intervention. Participants will be encouraged to use the mp3 device with guided meditation recording to practice mindfulness meditation for 20-25 minutes every day for 30 days. We will also provide participants with a diary to record their daily meditation experiences. There will be weekly check in. At 60 days we will do a follow-up data collection. | Behavioral: Loving-kindness Meditation<br>* Loving-kindness meditation is a type of mindfulness practice where the focus is on love/compassion and kindness for self and others. The guided meditation will be provided via recording device. The intervention is 4 week long.<br>* Other names: mindfulness practice;|
| No Intervention: Waitlist control<br>The arm will eventually get the intervention. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Self-compassion | A 12-item Self-compassion Short form Scale by Kirsten Neff will be used to measure self-compassion. The scores on this scale range from 5 to 60, the highest scores indicative of better self-compassion. We will measure self-compassion at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention periods to measure the change in self-compassion because of the loving-kindness meditation intervention. | baseline, immediately post-intervention, and week 4 and week 8 post intervention. | 
| Change in Loneliness | A 3-item modified UCLA loneliness scale will be used to measure loneliness. The scores on this scale range from 3 to 9, the highest scores indicative of a higher level of loneliness. We will measure loneliness at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention periods to measure the change in loneliness level because of the loving-kindness meditation intervention. Change in Loneliness will also be measured by A 3-item Campaign to End Loneliness Measurement Tool. | baseline, immediately post-intervention, and week 4 and week 8 post intervention. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Anxiety | A 4-item PROMIS Emotional Distress: Anxiety Scale will be used to measure anxiety. The scores on this scale range from 4 to 20, the highest scores indicative of a higher feeling of anxiety. We will measure anxiety at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention periods to measure the change in anxiety level because of the loving-kindness meditation intervention. | baseline, immediately post-intervention, and week 4 and week 8 post intervention. | 
| Change in Depressive Symptoms | A 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale will be used to measure depressive symptoms. The scores on this scale range from 10 to 40, the highest scores indicative of a higher feeling of depression. We will measure depressive symptoms at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention periods to measure the change in depressive symptoms because of the loving-kindness meditation intervention. | baseline, immediately post-intervention, and week 4 and week 8 post intervention. | 
| Change in Cognitive Function | A 4-item PROMIS Cognitive Function Scale will be used to measure cognitive function. The scores on this scale range from 4 to 20, the highest scores indicative of a lower level of cognitive function. We will measure cognitive function at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention periods to measure the change in cognitive function because of the loving-kindness meditation intervention. | baseline, immediately post-intervention, and week 4 and week 8 post intervention. |