Impact of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program on Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation, Stress, Quality of Life
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Atrial Fibrillation focused on measuring Atrial Fibrillation, Relaxation Response Resiliency Program Intervention, AF Symptom Severity and Burden, Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Hostility, Quality of Life, AF, QOL, 3RP
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age: 18-90 years
- Diagnosed with documented recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
- Currently on stable medical therapy for AF and willing to continue on the same treatment regimen for 8 weeks while participating in the study.
- No current or prior practice of yoga, meditation, guided imagery or other techniques that elicit relaxation response (RR).
- Able to provide informed consent and to understand written and spoken English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- End Stage renal failure or heart failure, severe unstable medical or psychiatric disease
- Patients deemed unable to complete protocol due to cognitive or other reasons.
- Patients on psychoactive medications will have eligibility determined by the PI or MD co-investigator on a case-by-case basis, and will be admitted to the study if medication is deemed stable
Sites / Locations
- Massachusetts General Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
3RP Intervention Group
3RP Waitlist Control Group
AF Patients will undergo the 3RP intervention which will comprise of the following: i. One-one-one session: each subject will spend an hour with a clinician to set specific goals for the intervention. They will also answer questionnaires. ii. ECG monitoring: Enrolled subjects may be monitored with an ECG at some point after the time of consent up to the day of the one-on-one session, and again after completing the 8 weeks. iii. Weeks 1 - 8: subjects will meet with the clinician/staff member as a group once a week for 1.5 hours each where they will be taught a variety of techniques to elicit the relaxation response as well as other cognitive skills. At the end of the 4th (mid-point) and 8th (last) weekly session, subjects will answer questionnaires. iv. 6 month follow up: 3 months after the final 3RP session to answer questionnaires. v. Subjects will be asked to keep track of their AF episodes during the course of the study.
The Control Group will wait for 6 months (from the time the Intervention group starts the 3RP intervention) and then will undergo the same study procedures as the intervention group - except for the 6 month follow up.