Mindful walking program for older South Asian caregivers of individuals with cognitive disabilities
MindWalk: A Mindful Walking Intervention for Older South Asian Family Caregivers of People With Cognitive Disabilities (CD) With Perceived Psychological Stress
This study is testing a 12-week mindful walking program to see if it can help older South Asian caregivers of people with cognitive disabilities feel less stressed and improve their mental sharpness.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Bolingbrook, Illinois and 7 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06002919 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot study aims to address the elevated psychological stress and limited physical activity experienced by older South Asian family caregivers of individuals with cognitive disabilities. The intervention, called MindWalk, combines mindful walking with cognitive training to improve cognitive function and reduce stress. Participants will engage in a 12-week program developed with input from a Community Advisory Committee, focusing on mindfulness techniques while walking. The study will recruit 50 participants who meet specific eligibility criteria, including being 45 years or older and self-reporting insufficient physical activity.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are South Asian family caregivers aged 45 and older who care for someone with a cognitive disability and experience psychological stress.
Not a fit: Patients who are not South Asian caregivers or those who engage in sufficient physical activity and mindfulness training may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the mental and cognitive well-being of older South Asian caregivers.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting this population with mindful walking, similar approaches combining physical activity and cognitive training have shown promise in other studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Older South Asian family caregivers (45 years or older) caring for a person with cognitive disability of any age * Self-reported insufficient physical activity (defined as participating in moderate physical activity less than 60 min/week) and not engaged in mindfulness training * Self-reporting of experiencing psychological stress; * Own a smartphone with a data plan or Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., tablets such as iPad) to sync data from the Fitbit tracker to the Fitbit app and to receive text messages * Ability to speak, understand, read and write English; ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Non-South Asian caregivers * Caregivers less than 45 years old * Having self-reported sufficient physical activity (defined as participating in moderate physical activity more than 60 min/week) and engaged in some form of mindfulness training * Not owning a smartphone with a data plan or Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., tablets such as iPad) * Mobility limitation * Taking medications or other behavioral treatment for stress reduction; acute or chronic diseases at baseline * Inability to understand, speak, read, and write English * Inability to provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
Bolingbrook, Illinois and 7 other locations
- American Association of Retired Asians — Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- Sanjeevani 4U — Buffalo Grove, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- Northwestern University — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- Apna Ghar — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- South Asian American Policy & Research Institute — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- Metropolitan Asian Family Services — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- Hamdard Health Alliance — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- IL Department of Aging — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sumithra Murthy — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sumithra Murthy
- Email: smurthy@uic.edu
- Phone: 312-355-1396
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.