Exploring Oxytocin Response to Meditative Movement

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This pilot study is designed to test effects of a single session of meditative movement (Tai Chi Easy) on older adults' blood pressure, perceptions of connection, mood, and oxytocin levels.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Endogenous oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) is associated with lowering blood pressure (BP), suggesting that finding ways to increase oxytocin even in the absence of social connection, may be beneficial. Meditative movement emphasizing breath, meditative state and flow-inducing movements holds potential for reducing BP, improving mood and releasing oxytocin. In a single-group pilot study we exposed 21 OAs with mild-moderate hypertension to a 50-minute Tai Chi Easy (TCE) (simplified Tai Chi/Qigong) session, collecting BP, saliva samples for oxytocin, and psychosocial measures (connection, mood) pre/post intervention.

Official Title
-----------------
Exploring Oxytocin Response to Meditative Movement

Conditions
-----------------
Hypertension

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Tai Chi Easy


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Age 55-80 --BP above 120/80 - Exclusion Criteria: having a neurologic disorder such as Parkinson's, seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease answered yes to one or more questions on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). The PAR-Q is a seven-question assessment that determines one's readiness, safety and ability to engage in physical activity and is safely validated for older adults

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 55 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Meditative movement practice: Tai Chi Easy
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Qigong/Tai Chi Intervention<br>Tai chi and Qigong combined into a simplified, standard practice, Tai Chi Easy | Behavioral: Tai Chi Easy<br>* A meditative movement practice that includes simple qigong movement/breath practices and single, repeated tai chi movements taught to generate a meditative state and flow<br>* Other names: Qigong/Tai Chi; taiji;|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Blood Pressure | Using blood pressure cuff, conducting two consecutive readings of systolic and diastolic | Change from baseline (pre-intervention) blood pressure to immediately after the 50-minute intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Profile of Mood States; Short Form | Using only subscales for depression and tension, 14 items with response format 0-4, reporting mean of responses, range 0-4 with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression and tension. | Change from pre-intervention mood to immediately post-50-minute intervention point | 
| Change in perception of Connection (this is not a published scale, no formal name, created for this study) | Two items assessing perception of connection with others and connection with self, score range | Change from pre-intervention to immediately after the 50-minute intervention | 
| Change in Salivary Oxytocin | Saliva collection pre and post-intervention | Change from pre-intervention to immediately after the 50-minute intervention |