Psychological StressNCT04863781
Mobile Stress Management Program for African American Women
A study testing Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention in people with Psychological Stress, run by ISA Associates, Inc. at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The unjust social, economic, and environmental conditions that African Americans face throughout their lives lead to pervasive health disparities. These disparities are driven by healthcare differences. They are driven by economic differences. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Psychological Stress
- What is being tested?
- Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 139 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 31 Mar 2023to 31 May 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- self-identify as Black; own a smartphone; have at least limited English literacy skills; report perceived discrimination; and be moderately stressed. The discrimination must be due to race or gender and the frequency must be at least "a few times in the past year" or more. In addition, they must report a score of 6 or higher on the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Who cannot join
- -
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Reducing Health Disparities Among African American Women: a Mobile Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Intervention
The unjust social, economic, and environmental conditions that African Americans face throughout their lives lead to pervasive health disparities. These disparities are driven by healthcare differences. They are driven by economic differences. Those with less financial wealth have poorer health as compared to those with higher socioeconomic status. And yet, even when controlling for these two important social determinants of health, race still predicts morbidity and mortality.
What can account for this? Stress. African Americans experience more stress than their White peers. The story is even more dire for African American women who simultaneously face both racial discrimination and sexism. Indeed, gendered racial discrimination is nearly ubiquitous for Black women at all socioeconomic levels. It is also a distinct form of stress, with unique outcomes compared to other non-race-or-gender-related stressors. Finally, stress has clear downstream negative effects on health.
Read more
At present, there is no mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention (m-CBSMi) designed to help African American women manage racial and nonracial daily stress. The investigators intend to fill this void. Using proven CBSMi techniques, participants will learn how to manage their stress through text messages and integrated mobile web content. Supportive texts will inspire, motivate, and affirm the life experiences of participants. Educational texts will increase knowledge, develop skills, and reduce barriers to adaptive coping. A library of individually tailored videos will be delivered to each participant. All mobile web content will be accessible only through touch-based links embedded within text messages, making it easy and effortless to view this material.
During Phase II the investigators will complete development of the m-CBSMi. Then, the investigators will examine the effectiveness of the m-CBSMi to reduce stress among African American female participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention condition or to a matched control condition. Secondary measures will assess coping, well-being, subjective health, gendered racial identity, and knowledge.
- Conditions
- Psychological Stress
- Being tested
- Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention, Control
- Medical subject headings
- Stress, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management interventionBehavioural
Each weekly module will consist of a cognitive component and a relaxation component. The cognitive component during the first 3 weeks will educate users about the Transactional Model of Stress, that discrimination is a type of stressor, and the impact of stress on health. Building on this information, users will then learn how to match coping responses to the changeability of stressors during weeks 4 and 5. The cognitive component will conclude by focusing on the four most common coping strategies used by African American women in response to stress. Modules 2 through 4 will teach progressive muscle relaxation through a series of tension and relaxation cycles. Modules 5 through 8 will train users in diaphragmatic breathing. Finally, users will be trained in three types of mindfulness mediations.
ControlBehavioural
The introductory course defines stress, describes the different sources of stress, and the influence of personality on stress. The coping module includes training in cognitive coping skills, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, autogenic training, and the importance of physical activity to manage stress. All lessons include course assessments. During the intervention period, controls will receive weekly text messages encouraging completion of material.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | All 11 modules will include the following elements: introduction to the topic; two types of assessments (1) adherence to at-home relaxation training practice (following week 2) and (2) 3-5 topic-specific questions to tailor video-based content; a cognitive component; a relaxation component; and a wrap up that includes a brief assessment of module comprehension. Each user will view 5-7 videos per module. Videos will be tailored to user and will last between 2 and 4 minutes. Total time per module will be 20 to 30 minutes. Between modules, users will receive (based on their timing preferences) supportive texts intended to motivate continued engagement or to affirm the life experiences of African American women Receives: Behavioral: Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention |
| Control | Active comparator | Two mobile courses: Introduction to Stress Management and Techniques for Coping with Stress. Users will be informed that the courses will be completed on their phone, that they are video-based, and that they should spend between 20 and 30 minutes each week, for the next 11 weeks, learning the material. The introductory course defines stress, describes the different sources of stress, and the influence of personality on stress. The coping module includes training in cognitive coping skills, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, autogenic training, and the importance of physical activity to manage stress. All lessons include course assessments. During the intervention period, controls will receive weekly text messages encouraging completion of material. Receives: Behavioral: Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Baseline Stress on the 10-point Perceived Stress Scale at Week 24
10-item survey that measures the degree to which an individual perceives his/her life as uncontrollable, unpredictable, and overwhelming
Measured: Baseline and Week 24
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Apr 2021
- Study start31 Mar 2023
- Primary completion31 May 2024
- Study completion31 May 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Psychological StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 139 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- ISA Associates, Inc.
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04863781
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MD014077
- Status last verified
- Apr 2023
- First submitted
- 22 Apr 2021
- Last updated
- 1 Oct 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The mode of dissemination of public datasets will be via archive files accessible in the public domain. Public datasets will be de-identified so that data cannot be linked to individual research participants.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Oct 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reducing Health Disparities Among African American Women: a Mobile Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Intervention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04863781
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MD014077
- Conditions
- Psychological Stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 139 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- ISA Associates, Inc.University, hospital or other
- Study start
- 31 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The unjust social, economic, and environmental conditions that African Americans face throughout their lives lead to pervasive health disparities. These disparities are driven by healthcare differences. They are driven by economic differences. Those with less financial wealth have poorer health as compared to those with higher socioeconomic status. And yet, even when controlling for these two important social determinants of health, race still predicts morbidity and mortality.
What can account for this? Stress. African Americans experience more stress than their White peers. The story is even more dire for African American women who simultaneously face both racial discrimination and sexism. Indeed, gendered racial discrimination is nearly ubiquitous for Black women at all socioeconomic levels. It is also a distinct form of stress, with unique outcomes compared to other non-race-or-gender-related stressors. Finally, stress has clear downstream negative effects on health.
At present, there is no mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention (m-CBSMi) designed to help African American women manage racial and nonracial daily stress. The investigators intend to fill this void. Using proven CBSMi techniques, participants will learn how to manage their stress through text messages and integrated mobile web content. Supportive texts will inspire, motivate, and affirm the life experiences of participants. Educational texts will increase knowledge, develop skills, and reduce barriers to adaptive coping. A library of individually tailored videos will be delivered to each participant. All mobile web content will be accessible only through touch-based links embedded within text messages, making it easy and effortless to view this material.
During Phase II the investigators will complete development of the m-CBSMi. Then, the investigators will examine the effectiveness of the m-CBSMi to reduce stress among African American female participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention condition or to a matched control condition. Secondary measures will assess coping, well-being, subjective health, gendered racial identity, and knowledge.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management interventionAll 11 modules will include the following elements: introduction to the topic; two types of assessments (1) adherence to at-home relaxation training practice (following week 2) and (2) 3-5 topic-specific questions to tailor video-based content; a cognitive component; a relaxation component; and a wrap up that includes a brief assessment of module comprehension. Each user will view 5-7 videos per module. Videos will be tailored to user and will last between 2 and 4 minutes. Total time per module will be 20 to 30 minutes. Between modules, users will receive (based on their timing preferences) supportive texts intended to motivate continued engagement or to affirm the life experiences of African American women |
| Control | Active comparator | Behavioral: ControlTwo mobile courses: Introduction to Stress Management and Techniques for Coping with Stress. Users will be informed that the courses will be completed on their phone, that they are video-based, and that they should spend between 20 and 30 minutes each week, for the next 11 weeks, learning the material. The introductory course defines stress, describes the different sources of stress, and the influence of personality on stress. The coping module includes training in cognitive coping skills, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, autogenic training, and the importance of physical activity to manage stress. All lessons include course assessments. During the intervention period, controls will receive weekly text messages encouraging completion of material. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- self-identify as Black; own a smartphone; have at least limited English literacy skills; report perceived discrimination; and be moderately stressed. The discrimination must be due to race or gender and the frequency must be at least "a few times in the past year" or more. In addition, they must report a score of 6 or higher on the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management interventionEach weekly module will consist of a cognitive component and a relaxation component. The cognitive component during the first 3 weeks will educate users about the Transactional Model of Stress, that discrimination is a type of stressor, and the impact of stress on health. Building on this information, users will then learn how to match coping responses to the changeability of stressors during weeks 4 and 5. The cognitive component will conclude by focusing on the four most common coping strategies used by African American women in response to stress. Modules 2 through 4 will teach progressive muscle relaxation through a series of tension and relaxation cycles. Modules 5 through 8 will train users in diaphragmatic breathing. Finally, users will be trained in three types of mindfulness mediations. | Behavioural | Intervention |
| ControlThe introductory course defines stress, describes the different sources of stress, and the influence of personality on stress. The coping module includes training in cognitive coping skills, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, autogenic training, and the importance of physical activity to manage stress. All lessons include course assessments. During the intervention period, controls will receive weekly text messages encouraging completion of material. | Behavioural | Control |
Primary outcome
Change in Baseline Stress on the 10-point Perceived Stress Scale at Week 24
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
10-item survey that measures the degree to which an individual perceives his/her life as uncontrollable, unpredictable, and overwhelming
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Oct 2024.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The mode of dissemination of public datasets will be via archive files accessible in the public domain. Public datasets will be de-identified so that data cannot be linked to individual research participants.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mobile cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention in people with Psychological Stress, run by ISA Associates, Inc. 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 1 inclusion and 1 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 1 Oct 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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 in Baseline Stress on the 10-point Perceived Stress Scale at Week 24 (time frame: Baseline and Week 24). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 1 Oct 2024.