Mind-Body Skills Groups for Mental Health in Incarcerated Individuals

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Center for Mind-Body Medicine

Disqualifiers: Conduct problems, Emotional instability, Mental instability, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 10 weeks

104 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to learn about the effectiveness of a Mind-Body Skills Group program for incarcerated participants.The main questions is aims to answer are: 1. Do the mind-body skills groups increase resilience? 2. Do the mind-body skills groups decrease depression, anxiety and/or stress? 3. Do the mind-body skills groups increase participants' belief that they have improved coping skills? 4. Do the mind-body skills groups increase a sense of meaning in life? 5. Do the mind-body skills groups increase a sense of life purpose? 6. Do the mind-body skills groups increase self-esteem in women? 7. Do the mind-body skills groups decrease aggressive responses in men?

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mind-Body Skills Groups for mental health in incarcerated individuals?

Research shows that mindfulness-based interventions, which are similar to Mind-Body Skills Groups, have been effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress among prisoners, while also increasing self-esteem and mindfulness. Additionally, group interventions in jail settings have been found to improve psychiatric symptoms and motivation, suggesting that group-based treatments can be beneficial for mental health in incarcerated individuals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Mind-Body Skills Groups treatment safe for incarcerated individuals?

Mindfulness-based interventions, which are similar to Mind-Body Skills Groups, have been shown to be safe and beneficial for prisoners, improving their mental and physical health without reported safety concerns. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is the Mind-Body Skills Groups treatment different from other treatments for mental health in incarcerated individuals?

Mind-Body Skills Groups are unique because they focus on integrating mindfulness and meditation techniques to improve mental health, which can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in incarcerated individuals. Unlike traditional treatments that may rely on medication, this approach emphasizes self-awareness and coping skills, potentially aiding in better reintegration into society post-release. ^{1 2 3 8 9}

Research Team

Julie K Staples, PhD

Principal Investigator

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking men and women incarcerated at specific Indiana prisons. Participants must be able to safely engage in the program without conduct issues, not have an upcoming release or security level change that would interfere with completion of the study, and should not have mental instability that could hinder participation.

Inclusion Criteria

English-speaking incarcerated individuals at the Indiana Women's Prison and at the Plainfield Correctional Facility

Exclusion Criteria

Having a sentence that will end, a scheduled change in security level to a minimum-security prison, or a scheduled work release before the study is completed

Having conduct problems and/or emotional or mental instability that prevents safe and effective participation in the mind-body medicine training program

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend 10 mind-body skills group sessions held once a week

10 weeks

10 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in resilience, coping self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, stress, meaning in life, aggression, purpose in life, and self-esteem

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Mind-Body Skills Groups

Trial Overview The study tests a Mind-Body Skills Group program's effectiveness on increasing resilience among inmates. It evaluates whether this intervention can reduce depression, anxiety, stress; improve coping skills; enhance life meaning and purpose; boost self-esteem in women; and lower aggression in men.

Participant Groups

Group I: Behavioral: Mind-body Skills Groups Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

10 mind-body skills groups held once a week.

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+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Male Portuguese Prisoners. [2022]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The development and efficacy of a group intervention program for individuals with serious mental illness in jail. [2018]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social and independent living skills for psychiatric patients in a prison setting. Innovations and challenges. [2017]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding the mental health needs of Scotland's prison population: a health needs assessment. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multi-Level Barriers to Prison Mental Health and Physical Health Care for Individuals With Mental Illnesses. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Study of a Stress Management Program for Incarcerated Veterans. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Obesity and weight-related medical problems of incarcerated persons with and without mental disorders. [2012]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing mental health awareness and help seeking in prison: a feasibility study of the State of Mind Sport programme. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Escaping the Prison of Mind: Meditation as Violence Prevention for the Incarcerated. [2020]