Harmony & Health: Feasibility of a Movement Intervention to Improve Psychosocial Wellbeing in Black Adults in Northeast Texas

Launched by M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER · Feb 27, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Harmony & Health trial is exploring a unique program designed to help Black adults in Northeast Texas improve their mental and emotional wellbeing through a combination of yoga practices and Christian spirituality. The goal is to see how feasible and acceptable this movement intervention is for individuals who may not be getting enough physical activity. This study is currently looking for participants who are at least 18 years old, identify as Black or African American, and live in the Northeast Texas area. To qualify, they should be considered insufficiently active, which means they do less than 75 minutes of physical activity per week and sit for more than 6 hours a day.

If you join this study, you can expect to participate in sessions focusing on yoga and spiritual practices over a six-month period. Before participating, you will need to answer some questions to ensure that the program is safe for you. It’s important to note that this study is only for those who are sedentary and have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. If you meet these criteria and are interested in improving your physical and mental health, this trial could be a great opportunity for you!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • 1. Men and women ≥18 years of age
• • 2. Self-identify as Black or African American
• • 3. Able to read, speak, and write in English
• • 4. Primary residence in the Northeast Texas area (Public Health Region 4/5N)
• • 5. Insufficiently active (self-report \<75 minutes/week of physical activity)
• • 6. Sedentary (self-report ≥6 hours/day of sitting time)
• • 7. Body mass index \[BMI\] ≥25 kg/m2
• • 8. Able to pass the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ) or provide physician's clearance to participate
• • 9. Able to provide written informed consent without assistance
• Exclusion criteria:
• • 1. \<18 years of age
• • 2. Do not self-identify as Black or African American
• • 3. Unable to read, speak, and write in English
• • 4. Primary residence falls outside of the Northeast Texas area or Public Health Region 4/5N
• • 5. Physically active or self-report doing ≥75 minutes/week of physical activity
• • 6. Not sedentary or self-report \<6 hours/day of sitting time
• • 7. BMI \<25.0 kg/m2
• • 8. Absolute contraindications to unassisted physical activity based on the PARQ (e.g., acute MI, orthopedic and musculoskeletal limitations)
• • 9. Planning to move from the Northeast Texas during the 6 month study period
• • 10. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the 6 month study period
• • 11. Currently participating in another program to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behavior, or manage weight