Effects of Romantic Affection on Blood Chemistry and Immune Parameters

Stress Clinical Trial

Official title:

Study of the Effects of Romantic Affection on Blood Lipids, Blood Glucose, C-Reactive Protein, and Antibodies to Latent Epstein-Barr Virus

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00482404
• Other study ID #: 1001 R03 MH075757-01A1
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 0
• First received: June 4, 2007
• Last updated: June 4, 2007
• Start date: February 2007
• Est. completion date: May 2007

Study information

• Verified date: June 2007
• Source: Arizona State University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This trial tests the hypothesis that increasing nonverbal affection in romantic relationships will improve blood lipid parameters (total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides), blood glucose, and immune parameters (C-reactive protein and antibodies to latent Epstein-Barr virus). 52 healthy cohabiting romantic couples took part. In half of the couples, one partner increased the frequency of romantic kissing with the other partner during the six-week trial. The other couples received no such instruction. Blood tests performed before and after the trial were used to assess the health outcomes.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 0
• Est. completion date: May 2007
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18+ years of age;

• English-speaking;

• Current co-habitation with romantic partner

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of hypercholesterolemia;

• Current pregnancy;

• Current use of blood-thinning agents;

• Greater than moderate anxiety about giving capillary blood;

• Weight of less than 110 pounds

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Hypercholesterolemia
• Stress

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Romantic kissing

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Arizona State University	National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)