Stress Management and Mindfulness for Sickle Cell Disease
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether a new stress management and mindfulness program can help people with sickle cell disease feel better and manage their condition more effectively. The program includes relaxation exercises, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to reduce stress and improve self-care. Participants will either start the program immediately or after a short wait. Individuals with sickle cell disease living near Philadelphia may be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance well-being and self-management for those with sickle cell disease.
What prior data suggests that this stress management and mindfulness program is safe for individuals with sickle cell disease?
Research has shown that mindfulness and stress management programs are generally safe for people with sickle cell disease. In studies where participants practiced activities like mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises, researchers found no major side effects. These activities aim to help manage stress and improve overall well-being. Participants often found them easy to do and effective in reducing pain, anxiety, and depression. Overall, these techniques appear well-tolerated and can be a helpful addition to managing sickle cell disease.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Stress Management and Mindfulness Intervention for Sickle Cell Disease because it offers a fresh approach to managing this condition. Unlike traditional treatments that focus mainly on pain management through medication, this intervention targets psychological stress, which can exacerbate pain crises. It incorporates techniques like deep diaphragmatic breathing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness meditation, aiming to empower patients to manage stress and pain more effectively. Additionally, it emphasizes self-care and improved communication with healthcare providers, which can lead to better overall management of the disease. This holistic approach could provide a significant improvement in quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease.
What evidence suggests that this stress management and mindfulness program is effective for sickle cell disease?
This trial will compare the effectiveness of a Stress Management and Mindfulness Intervention for patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Research has shown that mindfulness and stress management techniques can help people with sickle cell disease (SCD) manage pain and improve their quality of life. For example, one study found that participants felt less pain, anxiety, and depression after practicing mindfulness exercises. Another study showed that mindfulness-based activities were both doable and well-received by people with SCD and chronic pain. These techniques teach relaxation skills, like deep breathing, and methods to change negative thoughts. Overall, these strategies seem promising in helping people with SCD feel better and manage stress effectively.16789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Melissa G Hunt, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Measures
Complete online demographic, mood, and symptom questionnaires
Randomization
Participants are randomized into immediate treatment or waitlist control group
Immediate Treatment
Participants in the immediate group attend six weekly 1-hour group sessions
Waitlist Control
Participants in the waitlist control group do not receive treatment for 6 weeks
Crossover Treatment
Waitlist control group participants attend six weekly 1-hour group sessions
Follow-up
Participants complete symptom questionnaires 3 months after completing the program
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Stress Management and Mindfulness Intervention for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
6 week intervention focused on: How psychological stress affects health and SCD pain crises Deep diaphragmatic breathing and basic relaxation skills to lower stress and improve pain management CBT techniques to rethink situations, reduce stress, and respond less reactively Practice identifying unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with more balanced ones Self-Care \& Barriers to Change Learn ways to build more wellness activities into daily life. Navigating the ER \& Medical Encounters. Learn effective ways to communicate with doctors and nurses unfamiliar with SCD Mindfulness Meditation
Participants in the waitlist control will receive no treatment for 6 weeks. After completing the follow-up measures, they will be crossed over to active treatment.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Managing emotional and physical stress in sickle cell anemia
This review article explores effective strategies for managing both the emotional and physical aspects of stress in SCA patients.
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Mindfulness-based ... - PMC
A group-based, telephonic, six-week MBI intervention was found to be both feasible and acceptable to persons with SCD and chronic pain.
3.
ashpublications.org
ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/Supplement%201/11122/491073/Mindfulness-Practices-for-Chronic-Pain-in-SickleMindfulness Practices for Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
This pilot study was among the first of its kind to examine mindfulness practices for chronic pain in adults with SCD.
4.
medschool.uci.edu
medschool.uci.edu/news/uci-led-research-team-discovers-mindfulness-techniques-and-online-tools-ease-sickle-cellUCI-led research team discovers mindfulness techniques ...
Participants experienced a decrease in pain intensity, anxiety and depression after completing the study exercises.
Acceptability of an Online Brief Mindfulness Intervention for ...
Abstract. Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) pain negatively impacts the quality of life among People Living With Sickle Cell Disease (PWSCD).
Mindfulness and yoga therapy for acute pain in sickle cell ...
The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of video‐guided mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga.
7.
centerwatch.com
centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT07316478/stress-management-and-mindfulness-intervention-for-patients-with-sickle-cell-diseaseStress Management and Mindfulness Intervention for ...
The purpose of this research is to determine whether a new stress management and mindfulness program can improve quality of life in ...
Yoga-based intervention to alleviate inflammation, pain ...
Feasibility, acceptability, safety, and clinical outcomes of yoga- and mindfulness-based interventions in individuals with SCD or chronic pain. Consistent with ...
Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Sickle Cell Disease
Researchers noted no major side effects, indicating that this approach is safe for most people. These exercises usually include guided activities that help ...
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