MIND-BP vs BOOST for High Blood Pressure

Overseen By Tanya Spruill, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Severe depression, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a mindfulness program (MIND-BP) can more effectively lower blood pressure, stress, and depressive symptoms than a support group (BOOST) in Black women with high blood pressure. Both programs are conducted online via Zoom, allowing access from home. The study focuses on women participating in the Jackson Heart Study who have struggled to manage their high blood pressure. Participants should be comfortable with random assignment to either program and with being recorded during sessions. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve health outcomes for Black women with high blood pressure.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that mindfulness programs like MIND-BP can help lower high blood pressure. Previous studies indicate that people generally tolerate these programs well, often experiencing significant reductions in blood pressure and improved emotional health without serious side effects.

For the BOOST program, studies have focused on improving blood pressure control through support and education. These studies have successfully helped people manage their blood pressure more effectively. While specific safety data for BOOST is limited, the general approach of encouraging lifestyle changes is usually safe and well-received by participants.

Both MIND-BP and BOOST are designed to be supportive and safe, focusing on stress management and lifestyle improvement. Reports of serious side effects with these types of programs are absent. Participants usually find them helpful and easy to follow. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the MIND-BP and BOOST programs because they offer a fresh approach to managing high blood pressure through mindfulness training. Unlike traditional treatments like medication or lifestyle changes, these programs are delivered virtually, making them more accessible for people who might have difficulty attending in-person sessions. The focus on mindfulness provides a unique mechanism aimed at reducing stress, which can be a significant factor in high blood pressure. By integrating technology with mental health techniques, these programs might offer a new, effective way to control blood pressure without the side effects of medication.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for high blood pressure?

Research has shown that mindfulness programs like MIND-BP, one of the programs tested in this trial, can effectively lower blood pressure. One study found that this type of program led to significant drops in systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading. Additionally, MIND-BP improved mental health and quality of life. In contrast, the BOOST program, also under study in this trial, achieved a 10% improvement in blood pressure control by focusing on accurate measurement and close collaboration with patients. Both programs aim to manage blood pressure but use different approaches. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tanya Spruill, PhD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black women with high blood pressure who are part of the Jackson Heart Study. It's designed to help those struggling to control their blood pressure, possibly due to life stress. Participants will need access to Zoom for online group sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to be audio-recorded during group sessions

I am a female participant in the Jackson Heart Study.

I am willing to follow all study requirements.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months

Current participation in another trial

My arm circumference is between 22 cm and 45 cm.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the MIND-BP or BOOST program, both delivered virtually, to assess changes in blood pressure, stress, and depressive symptoms

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in systolic blood pressure, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• BOOST
• MIND-BP

Trial Overview The study compares two Zoom-based programs: MIND-BP, a mindfulness training group aimed at lowering blood pressure by managing emotions and stress; and BOOST, a support group. The goal is to see if MIND-BP can better reduce blood pressure, stress, and depression over six months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: MIND-BP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants who are randomly assigned to receive the MIND-BP program, a virtually delivered mindfulness training group.

Group II: BOOST Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants who are randomly assigned to receive the BOOST program, a virtually delivered mindfulness training group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Citations

1. ama-assn.org ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/road-map-details-how-boost-bp-control-10-6-months

This road map details how to boost BP control by 10% in 6 ... The program's framework focuses on measuring accurately, acting rapidly, and partnering with patients, and it has demonstrated a 10% increase in ...

2. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.122.028712

The MB‐BP Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial A mindfulness‐based program adapted for individuals with elevated BP showed clinically relevant reductions in systolic BP compared with enhanced usual care.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5064066/

Early Empowerment Strategies Boost Self-Efficacy to ... A boost to self-efficacy early in a lifestyle intervention program produces significant improvements in behavioral outcomes.

4. pharmacy.umich.edu pharmacy.umich.edu/stories/how-pharmacy-and-wearable-tech-boost-the-hard-prescription-diet-and-exercise/

How Pharmacy and Wearable Tech Boost the “Hard ... The primary goal was to see whether patients lowered their blood pressure through these lifestyle changes over the six-month study. myBPmyLife ...

5. techtarget.com techtarget.com/patientengagement/news/366584454/Produce-Prescription-Programs-Boost-Diet-Health-Outcomes

Produce Prescription Programs Boost Diet, Health Outcomes Patients with diabetes saw a 0.3 percentage point drop in hbA1C and a decrease in BMI by 0.4 kg/m2 for those with overweight or obesity.

6. ama-assn.org ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/how-rush-boosted-bp-control-chicago-s-west-side

How Rush boosted BP control on Chicago's West Side Among all the AMA MAP Hypertension metrics, Rush has improved the most on BP rechecks, rising from 30–40% compliance to 70–80%, a threefold ...

7. med.stanford.edu med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/11/high-blood-pressure-hypertension-dangers.html

The increasing awareness of high blood pressure danger Many blood pressure medications can't be used during pregnancy, but there are some that are safe. 2. Lifestyle changes may be enough to lower ...

8. hospitalmedicine.org hospitalmedicine.org/globalassets/professional-development/professional-dev-pdf/boost-guide-second-edition.pdf

Project Boost® imPlementation guide Based on a desire to improve care transitions for our patients, we initially developed Project BOOST® (Better outcomes by older adults through safe transitions) ...