Does the Relaxation Response Inhibit Acute Stress?

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purposes of this study are: To examine molecular and biochemical changes, associated with the relaxation response (RR) that can counteract the effects of stress in healthy adults. To compare genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters between healthy adults with a long term meditative practice and those with no experience in meditation. Since stress is a factor in the development of many health conditions, a further understanding of the mechanisms of the RR should be developed. The project is designed to determine how the RR can improve the quality of life that has been adversely affected by stress.

Detailed Description
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The purposes of this study are: To examine molecular and biochemical changes, associated with the relaxation response (RR) that can counteract the effects of stress in healthy adults. To compare genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters between healthy adults with a long term meditative practice and those with no experience in meditation. Since stress is a factor in the development of many health conditions, a further understanding of the mechanisms of the RR should be developed. The project is designed to determine how the RR can improve the quality of life that has been adversely affected by stress.

Official Title
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Does the Relaxation Response Inhibit Acute Stress?

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: relaxation response- meditation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: healthy individual age:18-49 years able to read and understand English able to attend al study visits access to a telephone (to schedule visits) Exclusion Criteria: current smoking asthma current use of any prescription or psychoactive medications or supplements either: no prior experience with RR eliciting techniques at least 3 years of regular RR elicitation (at least 20 min/day) BMI >30 exhaled nitric oxide levels >60 ppb abnormal lab values (Hct <32,creatinine >1.3, glucose >200 pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 49 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: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: relaxation response- meditation|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To examine molecular and biochemical changes, associated with the relaxation response (RR) that can counteract the effects of stress in healthy adults. |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To compare genomic, molecular and biochemical parameters between healthy adults with a long term meditative practice and those with no experience in meditation. |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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nitric oxide, volumetric oxygen consumption