Savoring Intervention for Inflammation

(SAVOR Trial)

Overseen By Julienne Bower

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Bupropion, Dopaminergic, Neuroleptics, SSRIs

Disqualifiers: Asthma, Autoimmune, Cancer, Diabetes, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a savoring intervention, which enhances positive feelings from experiences, can reduce stress and lower inflammation in the body. Researchers aim to determine if the intervention leads to changes in brain activity and inflammation-related blood markers. The trial seeks undergraduate students who experience moderate depression and low positive feelings but do not have severe anxiety. Participants will undergo brain scans, fill out daily diaries, and provide blood samples before and after the 7-week intervention. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how savoring interventions can improve mental health and well-being.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

Yes, you may need to stop taking certain medications. The trial excludes participants who have used medications that influence inflammation in the last 6 months, bupropion, dopaminergic or neuroleptic medications in the last 6 months, and those currently using heterocyclics and SSRIs unless stabilized for at least 3 months.

What prior data suggests that this savoring intervention is safe?

Research has shown that savoring activities are generally safe and well-tolerated. Various studies have found that savoring increases positive emotions without major side effects. For example, one study found that savoring boosted positive feelings and coping skills without causing harm. Another study examined an online savoring activity and found it improved well-being without negative effects.

Although these studies focus on different savoring methods, they consistently show that savoring activities do not cause significant negative events. Existing research provides no evidence of safety concerns, making this a low-risk option. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the savoring intervention because it offers a fresh approach to managing inflammation, focusing on psychological techniques rather than traditional medication. Unlike standard anti-inflammatory drugs that target physical symptoms, this intervention utilizes psychotherapy sessions to enhance how patients anticipate, experience, and learn from rewarding experiences. By potentially boosting overall well-being and emotional resilience, this method could complement or even reduce the need for medication, offering a holistic alternative to inflammation management.

What evidence suggests that the savoring intervention might be an effective treatment for inflammation?

Research shows that savoring activities can boost positive feelings and reduce issues like anxiety and lack of interest or pleasure. Studies indicate that savoring enhances well-being by encouraging focus on positive experiences and emotions. People who practice savoring report feeling happier and less anxious. These mood improvements might also lower stress and inflammation in the body. Although specific information on inflammation is still under study, the link between positive emotions and reduced stress suggests that savoring, which participants in this trial will experience through psychotherapy sessions, could help decrease inflammation-related issues. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for undergraduate students who may be experiencing inflammation and depression. They will participate in a savoring intervention designed to enhance positive feelings and potentially reduce stress-related inflammation.

Inclusion Criteria

My depression score is moderate, between 9 and 15.

English speaking

Willingness to refrain from starting other psychosocial/pharmacological treatments until study completion

Exclusion Criteria

I have a condition like asthma, autoimmune disease, or gum disease that can cause inflammation.

MRI contraindications (left-handedness, claustrophobia, colorblindness, pregnancy, metal implants, and BMI above 35)

I have a serious medical condition like heart problems or diabetes.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Savoring Intervention

Participants undergo a 7-week savoring intervention designed to enhance positive affect and reduce inflammation

7 weeks

7 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in inflammation and psychological wellbeing post-intervention

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Savoring Intervention

Trial Overview

The study tests a savoring intervention over 7 weeks, aiming to see if it can boost positive emotions and lower stress responses that lead to inflammation. Participants will undergo brain scans, keep daily diaries, fill out questionnaires, perform a behavioral task, and give blood samples before and after the program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Savoring intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

7 sessions of psychotherapy designed to augment reward anticipation, reward attainment, and reward learning.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Network for Emotional Wellbeing

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

20+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Incorporating savoring into mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can enhance positive feelings and well-being, suggesting it may improve reward processing outcomes.

Savoring may also play a crucial role in treating addiction by potentially reducing cravings, linking it to various neurobiological theories of addiction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness and Savoring: A Commentary on Savoring Strategies and Their Implications for Addiction Treatment. Bryan, MA., Mallik, D., Cochran, G., et al.[2022]

The Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) program significantly improved spiritual well-being and emotional adjustment in participants with obesity, including those with binge eating disorder, as evidenced by a study of 117 individuals.

Participants in the MB-EAT program showed stable increases in spiritual well-being, which were linked to better eating regulation and emotional balance, highlighting the program's effectiveness in fostering a healthier relationship with food and self.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindful Eating: Connecting With the Wise Self, the Spiritual Self. Kristeller, JL., Jordan, KD.[2020]

A mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents at risk of excess weight gain was found to be feasible and acceptable, with high attendance and positive feedback from participants.

While the mindfulness group showed a significant reduction in food reward sensitivity after six months, there were no significant differences in BMI or body fat changes compared to the health education control group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based group intervention in adolescents at-risk for excess weight gain: A randomized controlled pilot study. Shomaker, LB., Berman, Z., Burke, M., et al.[2023]

A 1-week savoring intervention for 111 older adults (ages 60 and over) showed significant improvements in psychological resilience, depressive symptoms, and happiness, indicating its effectiveness for this age group.

Participants who engaged in the savoring intervention with high fidelity experienced lasting benefits, suggesting that this technique can enhance well-being in older adults over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Savoring Intervention on Resilience and Well-Being of Older Adults. Smith, JL., Hanni, AA.[2020]

Two randomized controlled trials involving stressed community adults investigated the impact of mindfulness training on inflammation, specifically the inflammatory biomarker C-Reactive Protein (CRP).

While the mindfulness training that included acceptance skills did not significantly reduce CRP levels, both mindfulness interventions showed potential in lowering inflammation in specific populations, such as midlife-to-older adults and those with high BMI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness training and systemic low-grade inflammation in stressed community adults: Evidence from two randomized controlled trials. Villalba, DK., Lindsay, EK., Marsland, AL., et al.[2020]

In a study of 63 treatment-seeking adults with overweight/obesity, specific mindfulness facets were found to correlate with emotional eating behaviors, indicating that mindfulness can play a role in managing emotional eating.

Higher levels of 'describe' mindfulness were linked to lower emotional eating related to anger and anxiety, while 'non-reactive' and 'non-judgment' mindfulness were associated with reduced emotional eating due to depression, suggesting that mindfulness training could be beneficial in addressing different emotional triggers for eating.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness facets differentially relate to self-reported negative and positive emotional eating types in treatment-seeking adults with overweight/obesity. Barnhart, WR., Kalantzis, MA., Braden, AL.[2023]

In a study involving 54 adolescents at risk for excess weight gain, those who participated in a 6-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) showed a significant reduction in stress-eating compared to a health education control group over a 1.5-year follow-up.

The MBI group experienced a decrease in stress-eating, while the health education group had a notable increase, suggesting that mindfulness practices may help stabilize eating behaviors and prevent weight gain in at-risk youth.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based intervention in adolescents at risk for excess weight gain: 1.5-year follow-up of pilot randomized controlled trial. Bernstein, R., Sanchez, N., Clark, ELM., et al.[2022]

A mindfulness-based intervention for obesity significantly improved positive emotions and reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms over an 18-month period in adults with obesity, compared to a standard diet-exercise program.

Increases in mindfulness were linked to better psychological outcomes, suggesting that mindfulness training can enhance emotional well-being and may be a valuable addition to weight loss interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Weight Loss Intervention on Long-Term Psychological Well-Being Among Adults with Obesity: Secondary Analyses from the Supporting Health by Integrating Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) Trial. Hooker, AR., Sagui-Henson, SJ., Daubenmier, J., et al.[2023]

A low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) was tested on 186 university faculty and staff with elevated CRP levels, showing significant improvements in mindfulness over 2 months, which were maintained for up to a year.

While MBI-ld did not lead to significant changes in cortisol or IL-6 levels, it showed a clinically relevant reduction in CRP levels, particularly in participants with a BMI under 30, suggesting potential benefits for inflammation management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Workplace based mindfulness practice and inflammation: a randomized trial. Malarkey, WB., Jarjoura, D., Klatt, M.[2021]

Mindful eating (ME) has been shown to be more effective than generic mindfulness in predicting maladaptive eating behaviors, such as emotional and uncontrolled eating, as well as the consumption of energy-dense foods, based on a study of 292 participants.

The subfacet 'non-reactive stance' of mindful eating was particularly influential in reducing these maladaptive behaviors, suggesting that specific aspects of ME should be targeted in future mindfulness-based interventions for better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Taking a closer look at mindful eating: incremental validity and importance of subfacets. Peitz, D., Warschburger, P.[2023]

A 6-week mindfulness intervention for emotional eating showed significant improvements in key psychological factors like food-cue reactivity, intuitive eating, and emotional impulse regulation among 14 participants, mostly women, indicating its potential effectiveness in addressing emotional eating.

The study suggests that mindfulness training could be beneficial before starting weight loss efforts, as it targets the emotional and psychological aspects of overeating, although the intervention did not focus on weight loss itself.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based emotional eating awareness training: taking the emotional out of eating. Lattimore, P.[2021]

A self-help e-savoring intervention significantly increased savoring beliefs and positive emotions in 23 emerging adults compared to a control group of 26 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants found the online platform for the intervention to be user-friendly and effective, suggesting that such digital approaches could be beneficial for enhancing subjective well-being in young adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Savoring life during pandemic: an online intervention to promote well-being in emerging adults. Villani, D., Pancini, E., Pesce, F., et al.[2023]

Citations

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Effects of Savoring Meditation on Positive Emotions and ...

Participants in the Savoring condition also reported significantly increased positive emotions (ps < .05) and reduced anhedonic symptoms (P < .01) from pre- to ...

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This study suggests that the multi-component savouring intervention was effective in increasing well-being and in lowering levels of anxiety ...

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This controlled study aims to investigate the preliminary effects of a self-help e-savoring intervention on increasing savoring beliefs and strategies and SWB

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Intentional attempts to savor positive emotions may be infrequent in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) due to avoidance of emotional contrasts.