Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Feasibility of a Mind-Body Intervention for Optimism
Sponsor: Penn State University
Summary
This pilot study tests whether three brief mind-body activities can be delivered remotely to midlife adults, and whether they show early signs of improving cardiovascular health, emotional well-being, and stress. The activities are an emotional well-being writing exercise, two minutes of chair-assisted squats, and five minutes of slow-paced breathing. Insufficiently active adults aged 40 to 65 years are randomly assigned to one of eight groups. The groups cover every combination of the three activities, including one group that receives none. Participants complete their assigned activities in live Zoom sessions with a research assistant on five weekdays per week for four weeks (20 sessions). Blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, a small blood sample, and questionnaires on emotional well-being and stress are collected at in-person visits before and after the four weeks. Participants also rate how they feel immediately before and during each activity.
Official title: Mechanisms of Action: The Impact of Emotional WellBeing Intervention in Increasing Optimism and Biological Markers
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
40 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
43
Start Date
2025-11-14
Completion Date
2026-06-29
Last Updated
2026-10-07
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Emotional Well-Being Writing
A structured writing exercise of 10 to 15 minutes, completed in an online workbook during each live Zoom session on 5 weekdays per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions). Sessions 1 to 12 used forgiveness-focused prompts. Sessions 13 to 20 used positive psychology prompts, including gratitude, personal strengths, and best possible self. Research assistants did not give feedback on writing content.
Chair-Assisted Squats
Two minutes of chair-assisted squats in each live Zoom session on 5 weekdays per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions), supervised by a research assistant. Participants aimed for about 80 percent of the repetitions they completed in a supervised 2-minute baseline test, which was stopped with about three repetitions in reserve. A chair without wheels was placed behind the participant. Participants could stop or switch to marching in place at any time.
Slow-Paced Breathing
Five minutes of paced breathing at 6 breaths per minute in each live Zoom session on 5 weekdays per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions). Participants followed an on-screen visual pacer (EZ-Air), inhaling through the nose as a ball rose and exhaling through pursed lips as it fell, while seated in a quiet room.
Locations (1)
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, United States