The Relaxation vs. Retreat Study (R&R)
The Effect of a Short Term Meditation Retreat on Markers of Cellular Stress and Aging
Study Overview
Status
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
There are 3 parts to this research study, Part A, B, and C.
In Part A, participants complete a brief online questionnaire sent to them via email by the study coordinator.
During Part B of the study, participants stay at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA for 6 nights and participate in a meditation retreat being held at the resort, or stay at the resort without participating in the retreat. During their stay, participants attend two in-person research assessments throughout the week. Assessments will be 4 days (96 hours) apart for all participants and will include a fasting blood draw, body measurements, and self-report questionnaires.
Part C of the study includes a brief online questionnaire that is completed 1 month after participants leave La Costa Resort.
This study includes 3 groups: a group of "novice meditators" from the greater San Diego Region that are randomized into either the 1) Relaxation (Control) group or 2) Retreat group. The third group is comprised of self-selected "experienced meditators" who are already enrolled in the retreat. In total, 99 participants were recruited for this study.
The Retreat group stays at La Costa Resort and attends a 6 day meditation retreat intervention as well as completes all research study assessments and questionnaires.
The Relaxation (Control) group stays at La Costa Resort for 6 nights, but does not attend the meditation retreat. They attend once daily lectures on science topics and complete all research study assessments and questionnaires.
The Experienced Retreat group participants have an ongoing meditation practice and have enrolled themselves in the April 2013 meditation retreat. All of the Experienced meditators attend the meditation retreat and complete all research study assessments and questionnaires.
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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California
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Carlsbad, California, United States, 92009
- Chopra Center for Wellbeing
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Healthy
- Women
- Age 30-60
- "Novice Meditator" (meditates for 30 minutes per week or less) or "Experienced Meditator" (meditates at 40 or more per week and for more than 6 months, and are self-selected/enrolled in the retreat)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current or history of a major medical condition (such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes)
- Smokers (have not smoked regularly for the past 6 months)
- Currently taking antidepressants
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Currently taking Hormone Replacement Therapy or birth control pills
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Basic Science
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: None (Open Label)
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
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Experimental: Meditation Retreat Group
Participants in this group will participate in a 6 day meditation retreat at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.
They will be self-selected to participate in the retreat or are novice meditators randomized into this retreat.
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The intervention is a one week meditation and yoga retreat hosted at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.
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Active Comparator: Relaxation/Control Group
Participants in this group will stay at La Costa Resort and spa for a 6 day period and will participate in the Active Comparator Relaxation Group activities (i.e.
series of lectures on longevity and health, shared meals, and other leisure activities).
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Participants are randomized to stay at La Costa Resort and Spa for 6 days.
Participants will receive daily meals similar to the meals for those in the retreat group.
Participants will also receive a daily one hour lecture on topics related to longevity and health.
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What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Telomerase
Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Telomerase 96 hours later
|
Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment.
Telomerase will be measured at both time points.
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Change from Baseline in Telomerase 96 hours later
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Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Amyloid Beta Proteins
Time Frame: Change from baseline in Amyloid Beta Proteins, 96 hours later
|
Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment.
Amyloid beta protein levels will be measured in the blood at both time points.
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Change from baseline in Amyloid Beta Proteins, 96 hours later
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Psychological Well being
Time Frame: Change from Baseline in psychological well being at 96 hours, and 1 month later.
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We will collect self reported measures of vitality, purpose in life, perceived stress, rumination, self-compassion, mindfulness, presence in the moment, mind wandering, depression, acceptance and action, and body responsiveness in questionnaires.
Participants complete questionnaires before arriving at La Costa (baseline), after their stay (follow-up) and one month after they leave (1-month follow-up).
Additionally, they complete daily questionnaires that ask about their daily experiences (emotions, stress).
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Change from Baseline in psychological well being at 96 hours, and 1 month later.
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Oxytocin
Time Frame: Change from baseline in Oxytocin at 96 hours later.
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Plasma is saved from baseline and 96 hour followup for oxytocin assays.
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Change from baseline in Oxytocin at 96 hours later.
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Telomere Length
Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Telomere Length, 96 hours later
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Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment.
Telomere Length will be measured at both time points.
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Change from Baseline in Telomere Length, 96 hours later
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Gene Expression
Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Gene Expression, 96 hours later
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Participants blood will be drawn by licensed phlebotomist on the day after their arrival at La Costa Resort at their baseline assessment and again 96 hours later at their follow-up assessment.
Patterns of gene expression (specifically on genes related to aging) will be measured at both time points.
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Change from Baseline in Gene Expression, 96 hours later
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Collaborators and Investigators
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
- Principal Investigator: Jue Lin, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
- Study Director: Samantha Schilf, BA, University of California, San Francisco
- Principal Investigator: Eli Puterman, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Actual)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Estimate)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Estimate)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Other Study ID Numbers
- 12-1039
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