Using mindfulness to help African-Americans with type 2 diabetes reduce stress and improve sleep.
Official title: My ESSENCE - Mindfulness to Reduce Stress, Improve SIeep, and Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in African-Americans with Type 2 Diabetes
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10771953 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for African-Americans with type 2 diabetes to try out a special 8-week mindfulness meditation program that includes text messages to help improve sleep and reduce stress, all while keeping an eye on their heart health and blood sugar levels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 15, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $139,724 |
| NIH project number | 5K01HL149775-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10771953 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African-American adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not African-American or do not have type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on African-Americans with type 2 diabetes, who face higher risks of cardiovascular disease due to stress and poor sleep. The project aims to adapt a mindfulness meditation program specifically for this group, incorporating text messaging to enhance engagement. Participants will take part in an 8-week program designed to improve their sleep quality and reduce stress, while also monitoring key health indicators like blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The goal is to evaluate how these changes can positively impact their overall cardiovascular health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cardiovascular health and quality of life for African-Americans with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness interventions can be effective in reducing stress and improving sleep, suggesting potential success for this adapted approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Biggers, Alana — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Biggers, Alana
Related research
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Using mindfulness to help African Americans with type 2 diabetes reduce stress and improve sleep.
This study is looking for African Americans with type 2 diabetes to try out a special mindfulness meditation program that uses text messages to help improve sleep, reduce stress, and support heart health over eight weeks.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.