Mindfulness for Stress Response

JS
Overseen ByJiayin Sun, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This academic study examines how everyday experiences are related to short-term physiological reactivity and recovery and whether one or more brief standardized mindfulness/attention-instruction sessions change these patterns. Adults living in the United States who can read and understand the English study materials participate for up to 12 weeks and complete brief smartphone surveys several times a day during waking hours. Surveys include current experiences and recent alcohol and nicotine use; these reports are analyzed as contextual variables and are not automatic exclusion criteria. Some participants also use assigned non-invasive wearable sensors or blood-pressure monitors during prespecified measurement windows. Device output is used only for research measurement, not diagnosis, treatment, real-time medical decision-making, or patient management. In study waves with a randomized comparison, participants are randomized after consent to one or more brief mindfulness/attention-instruction sessions or time-matched no-instruction comparison sessions. Session duration, schedule, and allocation probabilities are specified before each study wave begins and applied consistently within that wave.

Who Is on the Research Team?

JS

Jiayin Sun, PhD

Principal Investigator

Questrom School of Business Boston University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults in the U.S. who can read and understand English. Participants need to be able to use a smartphone for surveys over up to 12 weeks. There are no automatic exclusions based on alcohol or nicotine use.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and assigned study procedures
Able to read and understand English well enough to provide informed consent and to complete study surveys and instructions
I am 18 years old or older.
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Lack of a compatible smartphone or the required study application
Cannabis or other illicit drug use within the past 30 days
I do not have substance use issues that would affect my ability to participate safely.
See 1 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline questions about health, medication use, daily habits, well-being, and prior mindfulness or meditation experience

1 week

Treatment

Participants engage in brief standardized mindfulness/attention-instruction sessions or time-matched no-instruction comparison sessions

Up to 12 weeks
Several smartphone surveys daily

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for physiological recovery and urge-action decoupling after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Brief Standardized Mindfulness/Attention Instruction

Trial Overview

The study tests whether brief mindfulness or attention instruction sessions affect stress responses, compared to no-instruction sessions. Some participants also wear non-invasive sensors or blood pressure monitors for research measurements.

How Is the Trial Designed?

3

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Within-Person Randomized InstructionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Fixed Schedule - Instruction ThroughoutExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group III: Fixed Schedule - No InstructionActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston University Charles River Campus

Lead Sponsor

Trials
125
Recruited
14,100+