Mindfulness practice to improve attention and memory in older adults
Cardiac-Control Affecting Learning Through Mindfulness (CALM)
This study tests if daily mindfulness exercises with heart rate feedback can help older adults improve their attention and memory over 10 weeks.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Southern California Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06410157 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of daily mindfulness practice combined with heart rate biofeedback on attention and memory in older adults. Participants will engage in breathing exercises that either increase or decrease heart rate oscillations over a 10-week period. The study aims to assess changes in cognitive function and blood biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease. Participants will also provide blood and urine samples during campus visits to evaluate physiological changes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Black or White adults aged 50-70 who are fluent in English and can commit to daily mindfulness practice.
Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairment or those who have conditions that impede the breathing intervention will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance cognitive function and potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: While mindfulness and biofeedback have been explored in various contexts, this specific combination targeting cognitive decline is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria * Fluent in English * Black/African-American or White/European-American * Aged between 50-70 years old * Non-pregnant and non-menstruating (for at least the past year) * Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing * Have reliable access to wifi * Have an email account that you check regularly * Have a phone that receives text messages * Agree to provide blood and urine samples at two campus visits * Agree to devote up to 50 minutes daily to this study for 10 weeks as well as attend two campus visits Exclusion criteria * Have a disorder that would impede performing the breathing intervention (e.g., abnormal cardiac rhythm, arrhythmia, dyspnea) * Have cognitive impairment * Have regularly played Lumosity games in the past 6 months * Have any conditions listed below that are not safe for MRI * \*Metal in any parts of your body * Claustrophobia * Have worked as a machinist, metal worker, or in any profession or hobby grinding metal? * Have had an injury to the eye involving a metallic object (e.g., metallic slivers, shavings, or foreign body) * Cardiac pacemaker * Implanted cardiac defibrillator * Aneurysm clip or brain clip * Carotid artery vascular clamp * Neurostimulator * Insulin or infusion pump * Spinal fusion stimulator * Cochlear, otologic, ear tubes or ear implant * Prosthesis (eye/orbital, penile, etc.) * Implant held in place by a magnet * Heart valve prosthesis * Artificial limb or joint * Other implants in body or head * Electrodes (on body, head or brain) * Intravascular stents, filters * Shunt (spinal or intraventricular) * Vascular access port or catheters * IUD * Transdermal delivery system or other types of foil patches (e.g., Nitro, Nicotine, Birth control, etc.) that cannot be removed for MRI * Shrapnel, buckshot, or bullets * Tattooed eyeliner or eyebrows * Body piercing(s) that cannot be removed for MRI * Metal fragments (eye, head, ear, skin) * Internal pacing wires * Aortic clips * Metal or wire mesh implants * Wire sutures or surgical staples * Harrington rods (spine) * Bone/joint pin, screw, nail, wire, plate * Wig or toupee that cannot be removed for MRI * Hair implants that involve staples or metal * Hearing aid(s) that cannot be removed for MRI * Dentures or retainers that cannot be removed for MRI
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Emotion & Cognition Lab Coordinator
- Email: matherlab@usc.edu
- Phone: 213-740-9543
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.