Assessing MB-Spirit: A Novel Intervention for Promoting Spiritual Development and Psychological Well-being
Sara W Lazar
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to test two new behavioral interventions designed to reduce stress and improve spiritual well-being in stressed adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can the program decrease stress and improve spiritual well-being? 2. What brain changes accompany participation in the programs? Participants will: 1. Be randomized to either a live online course that meets for 90 minutes every week for 8-weeks, or to a self-paced program. In the self-paced program, participants will receive materials once a week and can work through them at their own pace. Both programs are designed to decrease stress and improve well-being. 2. Complete questionnaires before and after the course. 3. Complete and interview before and after the course. 4. A subset of people will be randomized to complete an MRI scan of their brain before and after the course. Participants will be randomized to either take the course right away, or be put on a wait-list. Those on the wait-list will undergo the testing at 2 timepoints before they start the program.
Description
Forty-four individuals with high stress will be randomized 1:1, stratified by sex, to either the live or self-paced course. Participants will receive daily email with a link to a REDCap database to record minutes of homework practice. Pre and post testing will occur within a 21-day testing period before or after the courses. We will assess changes in spiritual well-being (Primary outcome), mindfulness, and use of character/virtue strengths (secondary outcomes). Changes in clinical symptoms will be explored. Participants will also complete a structured interview to assess developmental stage. A…