Culturally adapted mindfulness program to reduce stress for African American adults with high blood pressure and depression
Official title: Addressing Depression for African American Adults With Hypertension: Applying Community-Engaged Implementation Science
Run by Northwestern University · NCT06987799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether an 8-week, group-based, culturally adapted mindfulness course helps African American adults with high blood pressure and depression reduce depressive symptoms and improve blood pressure control.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 10, 2025 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06987799 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are English-speaking African American adults (≥18) who live, work, or spend much of their time on Chicago’s South Side, have clinician-reported hypertension, and have elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥10) and are not acutely suicidal or severely mentally ill.
✕Probably not a fit
People with severe mental illness, current suicidal ideation or recent suicide attempt, those unable to participate in English or who do not spend time on the South Side of Chicago are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants attend an 8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (CALM-Chicago) delivered in a community setting on Chicago’s South Side, learning techniques like guided breathing and meditation. Outcomes include changes in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), blood pressure measured with a standard cuff, and measures of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Participants complete online surveys and may join one optional focus group to share feedback. Enrollment targets adults with clinician-reported hypertension and elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥10) who are English-speaking and live, work, or spend much time in the South Side of Chicago.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low-cost, community-delivered program could reduce depression symptoms and help participants achieve better blood pressure control.
How similar studies have gone: Mindfulness-based stress reduction has shown benefits for depressive symptoms and modest blood pressure effects in prior studies, but culturally adapted, community-delivered programs specifically for African American adults are less well studied.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * ≥18 years old * Lives, works, or spends much of their time in the South Side of Chicago neighborhood * Self-reports diagnosis of hypertension or high blood pressure by a clinician * Endorses elevated depressive symptoms as Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 scores ≥10 * Not taking antidepressant medication or stable on antidepressant medication for ≥6 months as self-reported Exclusion Criteria: * \<18 years old * Severe mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis) * Current suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9) or recent (past 6 months) suicide attempt * Unable to provide informed consent or complete study activities in English
Where it's running
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The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Allison J Carroll, PhD — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Asia Ellis, BA
- Email: asia.ellis@northwestern.edu
- Phone: 13125033569
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.