Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction: Stage 2a RCT (MB-BP)
Hypertension, Prehypertension
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Hypertension focused on measuring mindfulness, blood pressure, hypertension, prehypertension, self regulation, Science of Behavior Change, attention control, self awareness, emotion regulation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Hypertension/prehypertension (≥120 mmHg systolic, ≥80 mmHg diastolic pressure or taking antihypertensive medication). Preference is given to recruiting uncontrolled hypertensives (≥140 mmHg systolic or ≥90 mmHg diastolic pressure)
- Able to speak, read, and write in English.
- All adults (≥18 years of age), genders and racial/ethnic groups are eligible to be included.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current regular meditation practice (>once/week)
- Serious medical illness precluding regular class attendance
- Current substance abuse, suicidal ideation or eating disorder
- History of bipolar or psychotic disorders or self-injurious behaviors.
These participants are excluded because they may disrupt group participation, require additional or specialized treatment, or are already participating in practices similar to the intervention.
Sites / Locations
- Brown University School of Public Health
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
MB-BP Intervention
Enhanced Usual Care Control
MB-BP customizes Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to participants with hypertension. It consists of nine 2.5-hour weekly group sessions and a 7.5-hour one-day session. Content includes education on hypertension risk factors, hypertension health effects, and specific mindfulness modules focused on awareness of BP determinants such as diet, physical activity, anti-hypertensive medication adherence, alcohol consumption, and stress reactivity. Students learn a range of mindfulness skills including body scan exercises, meditation and yoga. Participants are given a home BP monitor. Participants with uncontrolled hypertension are offered to have their physicians notified; for those without a physician, we work to provide access within health insurance constraints.
Control group participants receive an educational brochure from American Heart Association entitled "Understanding and Controlling Your High Blood Pressure Brochure" (product code 50-1639). Every participant is provided with a validated home blood pressure monitor (Omron, Model PB786N), that as an evidence-based approach to lower blood pressure, would be considered "enhanced usual care" at this time. All participants who have uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure >140/90 mmHg) will be offered to have their physicians notified, if not already being overseen for uncontrolled hypertension. For participants with uncontrolled hypertension who do not have a physician, we work participants to provide access within constraints of their health insurance.