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AnxietyCAHMP-EDNCT04426318

COVID-19 and the Healthy Minds Program for Educators

A study testing Healthy Minds Program Foundations Training in people with Anxiety and Depression, run by University of Wisconsin, Madison at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the four-week Healthy Minds Program (HMP) app Foundations training in employees of a mid-size urban school district in the United States during the summer of 2020, in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Stress
What is being tested?
Healthy Minds Program Foundations Training
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
698 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
14 Jun 2020to 12 Jan 2021
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Ages 18 years old and up
  • Employees of a K-12 school district in Wisconsin
  • Smartphone or device that can download apps from Google Play or the iTunes app store

Who cannot join

  • Individuals under 18 years old
  • Significant meditation experience:
  • Meditation retreat experience (meditation retreat or yoga/body practice retreat with significant meditation component),
  • Regular meditation practice weekly for over 1 year OR daily practice within the previous 6 months; or
  • Previous use of the HMP app.
  • Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression score > 70

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Wisconsin

    Madison, Wisconsin, 53705

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the four-week Healthy Minds Program (HMP) app Foundations training in employees of a mid-size urban school district in the United States during the summer of 2020, in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. A 3-month follow-up in the fall of 2020 will also be conducted.

Participants will be recruited via email and mailed postcards, and will first complete an online screen. Eligible participants will then enter a waiting zone for between 2-days and 2-weeks before they are sent the online pre-test. Upon completion of the pre-test, participants will be assigned to condition via a simple random number generator. If assigned to the intervention (i.e., the Healthy Minds Program App), participants will receive instructions and support in downloading and activating the app. Every 7-days over the 4-week intervention period participants in both conditions will complete the same set of measures. A full battery of measures will be administered a second time post-test, following the 4-week intervention period. Three-months after post-test, a follow-up assessment will be conducted.

The investigators predict that participants assigned to the intervention will demonstrate significantly reduced psychological distress after the intervention, and these decreases will persist at the 3-month follow-up. Further, it is hypothesized that baseline participant characteristics and early experience of the intervention will predict treatment adherence, study drop-out and outcomes, and that treatment engagement will moderate outcomes.

Being tested
Healthy Minds Program Foundations Training
Medical subject headings
Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Stress, Psychological

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Healthy Minds Program Foundations TrainingBehavioural

    Also called meditation, mindfulness

    The HMP is a novel, smartphone-based app that provides a series of guided meditation practices on four primary constituents of well-being: Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose. The program is unique in several ways. First, all program elements are introduced with a summary of the scientific evidence supporting its constituent elements (e.g., Awareness and well-being). Second, in addition to standard sitting meditation practices found in many meditation-based behavioral interventions, the HMP offers active practices in which participants can develop the same skills but while embedding practice into activities they already do in their normal daily routine.

Study groups in NCT04426318
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Healthy Minds Program Foundations TrainingExperimentalHealthy Minds Program (HMP) Description: The HMP app was developed by Healthy Minds Innovations at the UW Center for Healthy Minds, and is based on the work of Richard Davidson, PhD. HMP is designed to promote and protect psychological well-being through sustainable skills training. The program is grounded in constituents of psychological well-being identified in empirical literature. HMP provides core content, with instruction administered through a curriculum of high-quality guided practices. HMP is based on research on eudaimonic well-being (e.g., environmental mastery, purpose) and brain-based skills that underlie these qualities (e.g., regulation of attention, mental flexibility). HMP has >100 guided audio practices that address 4 constituents of well-being: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose.
Receives: Behavioral: Healthy Minds Program Foundations Training
Wait-list controlNo interventionParticipants assigned to the wait-list control will not receive treatment for the intervention and follow-up period. They will be provided access to the HMP Foundations training after completing follow-up testing.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change From Baseline on an Aggregate Measure of Psychological Distress That Averages the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety and Depressive Measures and the NIH Perceived Stress Scale

    Psychological distress will be assessed by aggregating 3 measures: PROMIS anxiety and PROMIS depression, and the NIH Toolbox Perceived Stress Scale. Averages will be z-scored with a mean of 0 and a standard deviation 1. Higher scores indicate increased psychological distress.

    Measured: baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

Secondary outcomes (13)
  1. Change From Baseline on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Act With Awareness Subscale

    A measure of acting with mindful awareness. The total possible range in scores is 8-40, with higher scores indicating greater levels of this facet of mindfulness.

    Measured: baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  2. Change From Baseline on the Drexel Defusion Scale (DDS)

    Psychological distancing (i.e., defusion) will be assessed with the 10-item Drexel Defusion Scale (DDS). The total possible range in scores is 0-50, with higher scores indicating greater levels of psychological distancing.

    Measured: baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  3. Change From Baseline on the Meaning in Life Questionnaire

    The Meaning in Life Questionnaire Presence subscale will be used to measure perceptions of meaning and purpose in life. The total possible range in scores is 5 - 35 with higher scores indicating greater levels of meaning.

    Measured: baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  4. Change From Baseline on the NIH Toolbox Loneliness Scale

    A measure of loneliness (i.e, lack of social connectedness). The total possible range in scores is 1-5, representing the average across all items; higher scores indicate greater levels of loneliness.

    Measured: baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  5. Conway COVID Questionnaire Subscale Scores

    The Conway COVID Questionnaire is a new, 16-tem measure of coronavirus related distress and related experiences. Subscales include: perceived threat, financial scale, resource scale, psychological scale, symptoms scale, proximity to others scale, and news scale. Ratings from 1 to 7 with 1 = "not true of me at all" and 7 = "very true of me" with higher scores representing greater perceived threat. Mean for each subscale reported.

    Measured: baseline

  6. Conway COVID Questionnaire Subscale Scores

    The Conway COVID Questionnaire is a new, 16-tem measure of coronavirus related distress and related experiences. Subscales include: perceived threat, financial scale, resource scale, psychological scale, symptoms scale, proximity to others scale, and news scale. Ratings from 1 to 7 with 1 = "not true of me at all" and 7 = "very true of me" with higher scores representing greater perceived threat. Mean for each subscale reported.

    Measured: 4 weeks (post intervention)

  7. Conway COVID Questionnaire Subscale Scores

    The Conway COVID Questionnaire is a new, 16-tem measure of coronavirus related distress and related experiences. Subscales include: perceived threat, financial scale, resource scale, psychological scale, symptoms scale, proximity to others scale, and news scale. Ratings from 1 to 7 with 1 = "not true of me at all" and 7 = "very true of me" with higher scores representing greater perceived threat. Mean for each subscale reported.

    Measured: 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  8. Self-Compassion Scale Short Form Score

    The Self-Compassion Scale Short Form will be used to measure self-compassion. The total possible range in scores is 12-60, with higher scores indicating greater levels of self-compassion.

    Measured: baseline, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  9. Change From Baseline on the Perseverative Thought Questionnaire

    Negative ruminative thinking will be measured with the Perseverative Thought Questionnaire. The total possible range in scores is 0-60, with higher scores indicating greater levels negative ruminative thinking.

    Measured: baseline, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  10. Change From Baseline on the World Health Organization 5-item (WHO-5) Well-being Scale

    Well-being will be measured using the WHO-5. The total possible range in scores is 0-25, with higher scores indicating greater levels of well-being.

    Measured: baseline, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  11. Change From Baseline on the Neutral Face Rating Task: Prosocial Construal

    The Neutral Face Rating task is a novel measure of prosocial construal (average likability ratings) and race bias (average liking of white faces minus the average liking of black faces). Total score for prosocial construal is from 1 to 7, with higher scores representing greater prosocial construal.

    Measured: baseline, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  12. Change From Baseline on the Neutral Face Rating Task: Race Bias

    The Neutral Face Rating task is a novel measure of prosocial construal (average likability ratings) and race bias (average liking of white faces minus the average liking of black faces). Total score for race bias range from -6 to 6, with higher scores representing greater bias favoring white faces (negative scores on the bias measure indicate bias for liking black faces more than white faces).

    Measured: baseline, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)

  13. Change From Baseline on the Growth Mindset Scale for Well-Being

    A measure of fixed versus incremental mindset regarding well-being. The average across items for a possible range in scores from 1-6 will be measured, with higher scores indicating greater levels of incremental views on well-being (i.e., it can be learned).

    Measured: baseline, 4 weeks (post intervention)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Jun 2020
  2. Study start14 Jun 2020
  3. Primary completion12 Jan 2021
  4. Study completion12 Jan 2021

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Random parallel assignment
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Investigator
Enrolment
698 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04426318
Sponsor's protocol ID
2020-0533
Other IDs
A171600, EDUC/COUNSELING PSYCH, Protocol Approval 10/15/2020
Acronym
CAHMP-ED
Status last verified
Aug 2024
First submitted
9 Jun 2020
Last updated
19 Sep 2024
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data will be de-identified and listed in public data registries (i.e., osf) based on the publication of preregistered study hypotheses on a manuscript by manuscript basis.

Publications

  • Goldberg SB, Baldwin SA, Riordan KM, Torous J, Dahl CJ, Davidson RJ, Hirshberg MJ. Alliance With an Unguided Smartphone App: Validation of the Digital Working Alliance Inventory. Assessment. 2022 Sep;29(6):1331-1345. doi: 10.1177/10731911211015310. Epub 2021 May 18.

    PubMed 34000843
  • Hirshberg MJ, Davidson RJ, Goldberg SB. Educators Are Not Alright: Mental Health During COVID-19. Educ Res. 2023 Jan;52(1):48-52. doi: 10.3102/0013189X221142595.

    PubMed 37379444
  • Goldberg SB, Jiwani Z, Dahl CJ, Tatar R, Dunne JD, Davidson RJ, Hirshberg MJ. Sitting and Active Meditation Practice: Utilization and Associations with Outcomes in Naturalistic and Clinical Trial Data. Mindfulness (N Y). 2026 Mar 9;17(4):1120-37. doi: 10.1007/s12671-026-02787-w. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 41809576
  • Goldberg SB, Bolt DM, Dahl CJ, Davidson RJ, Hirshberg MJ. Does it matter how meditation feels? An experience sampling study. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2024 Aug;92(8):531-541. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000857.

    PubMed 39347788
  • Webb CA, Hirshberg MJ, Gonzalez O, Davidson RJ, Goldberg SB. Revealing subgroup-specific mechanisms of change via moderated mediation: A meditation intervention example. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2024 Jan;92(1):44-53. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000842. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

    PubMed 37768631
  • Webb CA, Hirshberg MJ, Davidson RJ, Goldberg SB. Personalized Prediction of Response to Smartphone-Delivered Meditation Training: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2022 Nov 8;24(11):e41566. doi: 10.2196/41566.

    PubMed 36346668

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Healthy Minds Program Foundations Training in people with Anxiety and Depression, run by University of Wisconsin, Madison at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Sep 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 10 Feb 2022). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change From Baseline on an Aggregate Measure of Psychological Distress That Averages the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety and Depressive Measures and the NIH Perceived Stress Scale (time frame: baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention, 4 weeks (post intervention), 16 weeks (3 months post-intervention)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04426318, which also lists 6 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Sep 2024; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.

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