Autonomic Imbalance, Behavior, Social
Conditions
Brief summary
The present study investigates the efficacy of a brief and cost-effective video-intervention that combines bottom-up elements of deep breathing and third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (i.e., mindfulness and compassion) on coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interventions
OTHERDeep Breathing training
The intervention will comprise a psychoeducational part on the theorethical background underlying this technique and a pratical session in which partecipant will be instructed to inhale air with his/her nose and exhale with his/her mouth for a period of 3 seconds of inhalation and 7 seconds of exhalation (i.e., 6 cycles of breaths per minute;). During the session, the participant will be encouraged to put one hand over his/her chest and the other over the abdomen in order to see the difference between normal breathing and deep breathing. To help the subjects in the training, an online pacer will give the rhythm of respiration and will be used as visual feedback.
OTHERCompassion focused intervention
The short compassion focused intervention will begin with a short psychoeducation on the evolved nature and difficulties of the human mind, such as tendencies for negativity bias, negative rumination, and self-criticism. Participants will then be offered insights into how humans can work with their 'tricky brains' using body-based and psychological-based practices aimed at increasing a grounding and soothing compassionate attitude towards ourselves and others. In particular, participants will be instructed to pratice a mindfulness technique designed to help them to become more aware of their present moment-to-moment and more compassionate towards their own emotions. They will then be guided to create an image conveying warmth and compassion to them. Lastly, participants will be guided to bring the image to mind and then write write a brief self-compassionate letter to themselves from that point of view.
Sponsors
University of Roma La Sapienza
King's College London
University of Parma
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
wait-list control design
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being healthy * Previous participation (maximum elapsed time: 2.0 years) in a study conducted by the same research group and incorporating cardiac autonomic assessment at rest
Exclusion criteria
* Self-reported development of cardiovascular disease since previous assessment * Use of psychotropic medications or medications affecting the autonomic nervous system
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dispositional questionnaire 1 | During waking hours for two consecutive days before the intervention/control condition | Perseverative cognition measured as frequency score. Minimum score = 0 Maximum score = 28. Higher scores mean a worse outcome. |
| Dispositional questionnaire 2 | During waking hours for two consecutive days after the intervention/control condition | Effective coping strategies measured as frequency score. Minimum score = 0 Maximum score = 28. Higher scores mean a better outcome. |
| Dispositional questionnaire 3 | During waking hours for two consecutive days before the intervention/control condition | Mood state measured as score on a Likert scale. Minimum score = 1 Maximum score = 5. Higher scores mean a worse outcome. |
| Dispositional questionnaire 4 | During waking hours for two consecutive days before the intervention/control condition | Emotional state measured as score on a Likert scale. Minimum score = 1 Maximum score = 5. Higher scores mean a worse outcome. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | During waking hours for two consecutive days before the intervention/control condition | Heart rate (measured in beats per minute) recorded via a smartphone application |
| Cardiac vagal modulation | During waking hours for two consecutive days before the intervention/control condition | Root mean square of the successive differences (measured in ms) recorded via a smartphone application |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed