Mind-Body Medicine Training for Healthy Subjects

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Center for Mind-Body Medicine

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mind-body medicine training program to determine if it helps parole services staff become more resilient, empathetic, and better equipped to manage stress. Researchers aim to discover if this training can reduce symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and burnout, while also enhancing personal and professional life. Participants will learn and practice techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, and stress-reducing movements. Individuals working for the Indiana Department of Correction Parole Services Division who can fully engage in the training are well-suited for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to explore innovative stress-reduction techniques that could improve their well-being and job performance.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. It seems focused on mind-body training rather than medication use.

What prior data suggests that this mind-body medicine training program is safe for parole services staff?

Research has shown that mind-body medicine training is generally safe for participants. Studies have found that these programs help reduce burnout and improve mental health for healthcare workers. Importantly, no evidence suggests that these training methods cause harm.

Mind-body practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, are easy for most people to perform. Participants in these programs have not reported any major negative effects. Instead, they often feel more relaxed and better equipped to handle stress.

This specific training program focuses on teaching skills to improve well-being and manage stress. The activities include meditation, biofeedback, and guided imagery, all considered safe. Overall, participants can expect a safe experience with potential benefits to their mental health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Mind-Body Medicine Training Program because it offers a holistic approach to improving mental and emotional well-being. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medication or traditional therapy, this program integrates an immersive experience through an initial 4-day training, a 2-day practicum, and group consultation sessions. This comprehensive method aims to empower participants with practical skills to manage stress and enhance overall health, potentially leading to more sustainable and personalized mental health benefits.

What evidence suggests that this mind-body medicine training is effective for improving resilience and reducing stress?

Research has shown that mind-body medicine training can lower stress and boost mental health. One study found that participants felt less emotionally drained and more accomplished. Another study showed these techniques reduced stress and depression. In a different study, participants reported better ways of handling depression. Overall, this evidence suggests that mind-body practices can enhance resilience and reduce stress and burnout symptoms. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Julie K Staples, PhD

Principal Investigator

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for staff members of the Indiana Department of Correction Parole Services Division. It's designed to help them manage stress, improve resilience and empathy, and reduce burnout through a mind-body medicine training program.

Inclusion Criteria

Being a staff member of the Division of Parole Services

English Speaking

I can fully participate in all training and group activities.

Exclusion Criteria

I am able to fully participate in the training and small group activities.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

Mind-Body Medicine Training

Participants attend an initial 4-day mind-body medicine training, learning techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and biofeedback.

1 week

4 days (in-person)

Practicum

Participants attend a 2-day practicum to learn how to share mind-body skills with parolees and their families.

1 week

2 days (in-person)

Group Consultation Sessions

Participants attend 4 biweekly 2-hour group consultation sessions to support the use of mind-body skills.

8 weeks

4 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants fill out an online questionnaire and participate in a group interview to assess the use and impact of mind-body skills.

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mind-Body Medicine Training Program

Trial Overview The study tests a mind-body medicine training program that includes meditation, breathing exercises, biofeedback, guided imagery, creative expression, movement exercises, and family dynamics exploration. The impact on personal and professional life will be evaluated.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mind-Body MedicineTraining/Practicum/Group Consultation Sessions Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The only arm is a mind-body medicine training program for parole staff. The training program consists of 3 parts: 1. An initial 4-day training; 2. A 2-day practicum; and 3. Four group consultation sessions. .

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

12

Recruited

1,200+

Herbert Simon Family Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

160+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Mind-body medicine (MBM) leverages the connection between the brain, mind, body, and behavior to promote health, focusing on techniques like exercise, relaxation, and nutrition, and is well-established in the US healthcare system.

MBM is effective in addressing chronic lifestyle-related diseases by enhancing individual resilience and reducing stress, and it operates on principles similar to the placebo effect, making it a valuable approach for self-healing and self-care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Self-healing in health-care: Using the example of mind-body medicine]. Esch, T.[2020]

A pilot study involving 52 participants with chronic health conditions showed that mind-body medicine (MBM) interventions led to significant improvements in mental health, particularly in depression scores (PHQ-9) with a large effect size (g=0.807).

The MBM collaborative visits not only improved participants' ability to cope with stress and their sense of control over their health but also provided a valuable training experience for medical learners, enhancing their professional satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do as I Do: Physician- and Learner-Led Mind-Body Medicine Group Visits. Moir, E., Yang, JO., Yao, J., et al.[2022]

The Mind-Body Medicine program, involving 239 active duty service members and veterans over 7 weeks, showed significant improvements in perceived stress, pain severity, and various psychological symptoms, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing mental and physical health.

Participants reported high satisfaction with the program, and both groups (those with high stress and those with chronic pain) experienced notable benefits, suggesting that mind-body interventions can be valuable in military healthcare settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A mind-body program for pain and stress management in active duty service members and veterans. Millegan, J., Denninger, JW., Bui, E., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7005968/

Impact of Mind–Body Medicine Professional Skills Training ... Results. There was a statistically significant improvement in changes in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment, ...

2. cmbm.org cmbm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Effectiveness-Mind-Body-for-Healthcare-Professionals.pdf

EFFECTIVENESS OF A MIND-BODY SKILLS TRAINING ... Conclusion • This professional training program was effective in promoting the personal and professional use of mind-body skills and in enhancing the personal ...

3. journals.stfm.org journals.stfm.org/primer/2021/moir-2020-0020/

and Learner-Led Mind-Body Medicine Group Visits Results: Participants showed significant, large improvements in their PHQ-9 scores (P<.005, g=0.807), and moderate improvements in ability to ...

4. bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-024-11437-7

Comparing the effectiveness of mind–body practices (MBPs ... Our study suggested MBPs may be the most effective intervention to improve the occupational stress of HCWs. Furthermore, yoga is likely to be the most optimal ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/11/1125

The Effectiveness of Mind-Body Intervention on ... This study suggests that virtual mind-body practices had a pronounced impact on stress and depression levels during the pandemic.

6. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2164956120907876

Interdisciplinary Mind–Body Medicine Skills Training for ... Results support the effectiveness of teaching mind–body medicine skills in this format to health-care professionals. At the end of the course, ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8393251/

The Effectiveness and Safety of Mind-Body Modalities for ... The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate whether mind-body modalities improve burnout and other mental health aspects of nurses.

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/354075074_The_Effectiveness_and_Safety_of_Mind-Body_Modalities_for_Mental_Health_of_Nurses_in_Hospital_Setting_A_Systematic_Review

The Effectiveness and Safety of Mind-Body Modalities for ... Data on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and yoga were available for burnout, and there was no evidence that multimodal resilience programs including MBIs ...

9. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2022.913573/full

The BERN Framework of Mind-Body Medicine: Integrating ... Mind-body medicine (MBM) focuses on improving our understanding of how the interactions between the brain, mind, body, and behavior can be used to promote ...