View clinical trials related to Stress.
Filter by:The investigators will develop and pilot test an intervention called "ACT for Parents" which aims to decrease stress and improve quality of life in parents of children < 15 years who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. A small randomized trial testing phase will be conducted to gather initial data on the treatment feasibility and acceptability, detect treatment effects between groups (ACT for Parents versus Treatment as Usual), and to refine the treatment design for a future clinical trial.
This study investigated the acute effect of the consumption of four different kinds of coffee (hot and cold instant coffee, cold espresso and hot filter coffee) with the same caffeine content on salivary gastrin, cortisol and alpha-amylase concentrations, on self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms and on psychometric assessments in healthy individuals.
Background: The sympathetic and parasympathetic branches (SNS and PNS) of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), keep our body in a state of balance, which can be disturbed in situations of uncontrolled stress. Sleep deprivation and specifically night shift is a source of stress with adverse consequences on sleep, wakefulness, eating patterns and cardio-vascular function. Furthermore, imbalanced autonomic profile is also associated with increased inflammation, a known risk factor for cardiac problems, diabetes, and cancer. Parasympathetic stimulation can control the inflammatory reaction, leading research toward interventions which can stimulate the cholinergic pathway. Among these interventions, massage therapy has shown to stimulate the PNS and bring back the balance within the body's organs. Objectives: 1. To assess the physiological effects of night shifts on the ANS profile and bio-markers of inflammation and stress in blood 2. To assess whether one session of massage therapy can revert the adverse effects of night shift via re-balancing these components. Methods: A pilot prospective randomized crossover trial with 10 healthy hospital staff is in progress: Each participants will be their own control. All participants will be measured for their baseline characteristics and outcomes of interest on a regular working day as well as at the end of 2 nights of shift work. At the end of one shift they will be randomly assigned to receive a 30-minute-long "upper body massage", while at the end of the other shift they will receive a "reading intervention" which would serve as a control intervention. Randomization is done using a computer system that also verifies inclusion-exclusion criteria before allocating the intervention. The autonomic profile is measured by spectral analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) captured by a state-of-the-art machine which non-invasively records electrical signals from the body. The inflammatory markers in the blood are also measured using top-notch laboratory technology. The results of the study will be reported by comparing the outcomes of each subject with their own baseline as well as comparing the two interventions for the effect of massage. Data will be pooled for all subjects in order to show the overall effect. The final results of this study will be used to plan stress management intervention trials.
The objective of the research is to test the hypothesis that participating in group-based gardening activities alters brain network activation and function, and that such change occurring in the brain forms the neurobiological basis for much of the nonphysical activity portion of the therapeutic benefits of gardening and horticultural therapy. Assessment of the effects of the gardening activities on the experimental population will take two approaches, the first being the use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to assess the regions of the brain that may become activated as a consequence of experiencing the cumulative gardening activities and associated stimuli. The allied approach will employ widely used and well-established self-reported assessment instruments that will capture information about the health and well-being that will then provide a psychometrically-based before and after physical and health summary of the participants in the control group and those engaged in the gardening activities.
Anxiety, stress and depression are common during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. The lack of empirically supported, non-pharmaceutical interventions for psychological distress in pregnancy is a significant gap in the literature, especially given many pregnant women's preference for non-pharmaceutical treatments. This study will evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program in reducing measures of psychological distress (e.g., symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety) in a group of pregnant women endorsing high levels of distress.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of several brief trainings based on contemplative practices and positive psychology to buffer against the negative effects that acute stress has on behavior and cognitive abilities. The investigators hypothesize that training will buffer against negative effects of acute stress.
This randomized controlled trial aims to determine if the stress response and performance of trainees who are observers in simulation training is similar to trainees who are actively participating in simulation training in the 'hotseat' during 3 consecutive simulation sessions. We hypothesize that trainees experience less stress when they are observers in the first 2 simulation sessions. However, when they are placed in the 'hotseat' during the third session, their stress response, as well as their performance, will be similar to trainees who spend all 3 simulation sessions in the 'hotseat'.
A 16 week pilot study for Allina call center employees to look at the psychological outcomes and biological markers after an intervention of using a standing work station. There were two groups: group 1 received, and was instructed to use, the standing work station for all 16 weeks, group 2 was a wait-list control group and received, and was instructed to use, the standing work station for the second 8 weeks. Psychological outcomes were measured at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16. Biological markers were measured at weeks 0, 8, and 16.
Background: - Children with Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DBMD) slowly lose muscle function. They usually die at a young age. Some mothers adapt to the demands of caring for a child with this disease better than others. Studies show that a person s hope may positively affect how they cope and adapt. Researchers want to find out more about this. They want to develop ways to improve caregivers overall wellness. Objective: - To study the relationships between uncertainty, hope, and coping ability in mothers of children with DBMD. Eligibility: - Women in the United States 18 years and older. They must be biological mothers of a living child with DBMD and be able to answer a survey in English. Design: - This study is part of a larger study that examines the well-being of mothers with sons who have DBMD. - Participants will take a questionnaire. The questionnaire can be done on paper or on a computer. It will take 30 45 minutes to complete. - The questionnaire will include basic demographic questions about the participant and the child. There will also be questions about how the participant copes with the stress and uncertainty of DBMD. - For most of the questions, participants will rate their feelings on a scale. There will also be four open-ended questions.
This is a pre-post intervention pilot study to evaluate the impact of a 30-minute, 8-week mind-body/meditation intervention on self-reported quality of life in individuals employed by Allina Health. Outcomes will include validated questionnaires for depressive symptomology, perceived stress, anxiety, healthy lifestyle, quality of life as well as biological outcomes of salivary cortisol for a sub-sample of employees.