Understanding Components of Mind-body Exercise for Physical Activity Engagement in Metabolic Syndrome

Launched by BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · Feb 7, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is designed to explore how different types of mind-body exercises can help people with metabolic syndrome become more active. Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes having certain health issues like being overweight, high blood sugar, or high blood pressure. The study will involve participants completing one of four activities: a walking program, a mindful attention program, a combination of both, or no program at all. This pilot study will help researchers understand how well the program works and what participants think about it.

To join the study, participants need to be between 18 and 70 years old and have metabolic syndrome, which means they meet at least three specific health criteria. They should also be insufficiently active, meaning they don’t engage in much physical activity. Participants must have medical approval to exercise and have access to the internet for virtual sessions. Throughout the trial, participants can expect to follow one of the exercise programs and provide feedback on their experience. This study is currently recruiting, and it is open to all genders.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Metabolic syndrome, defined as meeting 3 or more of the following criteria in the last 12 months at the time of medical record review: (a) BMI ≥ 25; (b) fasting glucose ≥ 100 \[5.6 mmol/L\] or A1C ≥ 5.7 or medications; (c) blood pressure ≥ 130 systolic or ≥ 85 diastolic or medications; (d) triglycerides ≥ 150 or 1.7 mmol/L or medications; (e) or HDL \< 40mg/ dL for men and 50mg/dL for women or medications;
• • insufficiently active, defined as a score ≤ 23 (moderate-to-strenuous units) on Godin-Shepard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire;
• • age 18-70 years;
• • given medical clearance for moderate-intensity exercise and exercise stress testing by their primary care physician (PCP);
• • access to a device with internet and videoconferencing capabilities
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • current diagnosis of any of the following: (a) coronary artery disease or other chronic heart diseases (e.g., heart failure) in which exercise would be contraindicated or that would preclude HRV analyses (e.g., some arrhythmias); (b) any diabetes; (c) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other severe lung dysfunction (e.g., severe asthma); (d) severe cognitive impairment
• • \>2 self-reported classes or self-guided mindfulness or mindful movement sessions per week in past 3 months
• • self-reported inability to speak and read in English
• • current beta blocker or calcium channel blocker medication
• • uncontrolled hypertension, defined as resting blood pressure ≥ 150 systolic or ≥ 90 diastolic in the last 6 months
• • self- or physician-reported contraindications for exercise (e.g., severe balance impairment, musculoskeletal restrictions)