Mindfulness in Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) Dysautonomia
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05566379 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : October 4, 2022
Last Update Posted : January 23, 2023
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Long COVID Dysautonomia | Other: Mindfulness - Mindful Awareness Practices ( MAPs) | Not Applicable |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 30 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Supportive Care |
Official Title: | Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Physical and Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life in Patients With Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) Dysautonomia |
Estimated Study Start Date : | February 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | June 2023 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | June 2023 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Mindfulness Intervention
All participants will attend a virtual 6-week course entitled Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) created, hosted and led by expert facilitators from the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. Participants will learn Mindful concepts and a variety of Mindfulness practices. This intervention will consist of a mix of lecture, practice, group feedback, and discussion regarding mindfulness. Mindfulness is the mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present while acknowledging and accepting any feelings, thoughts, or bodily sensations. MAPs classes meets weekly for two hours per week for six weeks. Participants are encouraged to complete some daily meditation practice starting at five minutes a day and working up to 20 minutes daily by the end of the course.
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Other: Mindfulness - Mindful Awareness Practices ( MAPs)
All participants will attend a virtual 6-week course entitled Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) created, hosted and led by expert facilitators from the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. Participants will learn Mindful concepts and a variety of Mindfulness practices. This intervention will consist of a mix of lecture, practice, group feedback, and discussion regarding mindfulness. Mindfulness is the mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present while acknowledging and accepting any feelings, thoughts, or bodily sensations. MAPs classes meets weekly for two hours per week for six weeks. Participants are encouraged to complete some daily meditation practice starting at five minutes a day and working up to 20 minutes daily by the end of the course. |
- Change from baseline in the composite autonomic symptom score COMPASS-31 for autonomic symptoms [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention ( 1-2 weeks post intervention completion) ]COMPASS-31 (the composite autonomic symptom) score is a self-rating questionnaire evaluating six domains of autonomic function: orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor, secretomotor, gastrointestinal, bladder, and pupillomotor domains. The six domain scores sum to a total score of 0 to 100, and a higher score indicates more severe autonomic symptoms. It is based on the original Autonomic Symptom Profile (ASP) and COMPASS, is internally consistent and applies a much-simplified scoring algorithm suitable for widespread use in autonomic research and practice.
- Change from baseline in Active Stand Test of hemodynamic symptom parameters, exercise tolerance. [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention ( 1-2 weeks post intervention completion) ]Active Stand Test. Clinically, an active stand test can be used to assess short-term neural and cardiovascular function and identify the hemodynamic correlates of patient symptoms and attributable causes of (pre-)syncope, and to detect autonomic dysfunction, variants of orthostatic hypotension, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and orthostatic hypertension. During a standardized active stand test procedure, heart rate and blood pressure are measured after resting lying down, then immediately upon standing and after 2, 5 and 10 minutes.
- Change from baseline of Six Minute Walk in hemodynamic parameters, exercise tolerance [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention ( 1-2 weeks post intervention completion) ]Six Minute Walk. The six-minute walk (6MWT) was developed in 1963 by Balke to evaluate functional capacity and endurance during physical activity. The standardized six-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the maximum distance an individual is able to walk over a total of six minutes. The individual is allowed to self-pace and rest as needed as they traverse back and forth along a flat marked walkway. Baseline heart rate and oxygen saturation are measured then continuously monitored to identify the lowest oxygen saturation, which may occur before the end of the test. The patient's baseline and post-test perceived dyspnea and fatigue are rated using the Borg scale 0-10 (0 none- 10 maximum).
- Change from baseline in mean score in Health-Related Quality of Life (QOL) SF-20 [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]
Self-reported QOL SF-20. A 20-item questionnaire. The survey measures health across 6 domains: physical functioning (6 questions), role functioning (2 questions), social functioning (1 question), mental health (5 questions), health perceptions (5 questions), and pain (1 question).
Scores across each of these domains are reported on a 0% to 100% scale, with 0% representing the worst possible score in that domain and 100% the best possible score. Raw scores are transformed to fit the 0% to 100% interval as described in the original publication (note that for question #1 on general health, an initial transformation is performed as follows: 1 = 5, 2 = 4.36, 3 = 3.43, 4 = 1.99, 5 = 1). Reversal of scoring is completed as necessary such that the highest score always represents the best possible score. The exception to this scoring pattern is the pain score, for which 0% represents the best possible score and 100% the worst possible score.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of PSS- Perceived Stress Scale. [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) appraises thoughts and feelings in perception of stress. It is a 10-item scale (score 0-40) with upper scores signifying increased perceived stress. While the aim is to capture stress level, the PSS is used to obtain a patients' perceptions of their own stress.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of GAD7- Generalized Anxiety Disorder [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD7) It is a 7-item scale (score 0-21), with acuity distinguished as mild (5-9), moderate (10-14) or severe (15-21) distress (Spitzer et al. 2006). The higher score indicates greater anxiety.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of PHQ-8 - Depressive Symptoms [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]Depression (PHQ8) adapted from the PHQ-9, is established as a valid diagnostic and severity measure for depressive disorders in large clinical studies. A PHQ-8 score of 0 to 4 indicates no depression, of 5 to 9 indicates mild depression, of 10 to 14 indicates moderate depression, of 15 to 19 indicates moderately severe depression, and of 20 or higher indicates severe depression.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of IES-R - event-related distress scale [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]Impact of Event Scale -Revised (IES-R). is a 22-item self-report measure that assesses subjective distress caused by traumatic events. The IES-R contains seven additional items related to the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD, which were not included in the original IES. Items correspond directly to 14 of the 17 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) symptoms of PTSD. Respondents are asked to identify a specific stressful life event and then indicate how much they were distressed or bothered during the past seven days by each "difficulty" listed. Items are rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("extremely"). The IES-R yields a total score (ranging from 0 to 88) and subscale scores can also be calculated for the Intrusion, Avoidance, and Hyperarousal subscales.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of FSI - The Fatigue Symptom Inventory. [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]The Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI) is a 14-item self-report measure designed to assess the severity, frequency, and daily pattern of fatigue as well as its perceived interference with quality of life in the past week. Severity is measured on point scales (0=not at all fatigued; 10=as fatigued as I could be) that assess most, least, and average fatigue in the past week as well as current fatigue. Frequency is measured by the number of days (0-7) that respondents felt fatigued and the extent of each day they felt fatigued (0=none of the day; 10=the entire day). Perceived interference is measured on point scales (0=no interference; 10=extreme interference) that assess the degree to which fatigue was felt to interfere with with general level of activity, enjoyment, and mood.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of the ISI - The Insomnia Severity Index [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a seven-item self-report questionnaire, which asks respondents to rate the nature and symptoms of their sleep problems. Dimensions evaluated are severity of sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and early morning awakening problems, sleep dissatisfaction, interference of sleep difficulties with daytime functioning, noticeability of sleep problems by others, and distress caused by the sleep difficulties. A 5-point Likert scale is used to rate each item (e.g., 0 = no problem; 4 = very severe problem), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28. The total score is interpreted as follows: absence of insomnia (0-7); sub-threshold insomnia (8-14); moderate insomnia (15-21); and severe insomnia (22-28).
- Change from baseline in mean scores of well-being from MHC-SF-The Mental Health Continuum Short Form [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]The Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) is a 14- item scale containing 3 items for emotional (hedonic) well-being, 5 items for social well-being, and 6 items for psychological well-being (eudaimonic). Each of the items can be scored between 0 and 5, with the total score on the scale can range from 0 to 70 points. Higher scores indicate a higher level of emotional wellbeing. This scale also provides a flourishing and languishing mental health indicator based on these three subscales.
- Change from baseline in mean scores of CD-RISC 10 - Connor Davidson Resilience Scale. [ Time Frame: Baseline / Pre Intervention(1-2 weeks prior to intervention), Post Intervention (1-2 weeks post intervention completion); 4 weeks post intervention ]Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10) is a 10-item scale (score 0-40) that measures components of adaptation, coping and recovery in response to stressful events, trauma, or tragedy. The higher scores reflect greater resilience.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 54 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
Adult females (18 years - 54 years of age)
- Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and diagnoses of PASC and dysautonomia confirmed by objective testing (e.g., autonomic reflex screen, active stand test)
- Ability to comprehend English and complete assessments and patient-reported surveys
- Availability of a smartphone, tablet, or computer with Internet access
Exclusion Criteria:
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Inability to participate in the virtual intervention or complete outcomes surveys
- Current participation regular mindfulness practice
- Current enrollment in another COVID-19 related study.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT05566379
Contact: Elizabeth Vandenbogaart, DNP MSN ACNP | 310 825 8816 ext 2 | evandenbogaart@mednet.ucla.edu |
United States, California | |
UCLA Health | Recruiting |
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095 | |
Contact: Elizabeth Vandenbogaart, DNP MSN ACNP 310-825-8816 ext 2 evandenbogaart@mednet.ucla.edu |
Principal Investigator: | Jeffrey J. Hsu, MD, PhD | University of California, Los Angeles |
Responsible Party: | Jeffrey J. Hsu, Principal Investigator, University of California, Los Angeles |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT05566379 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
22-001020 |
First Posted: | October 4, 2022 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | January 23, 2023 |
Last Verified: | January 2023 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Mindfulness , Long COVID, Dysautonomia |
COVID-19 Primary Dysautonomias Autonomic Nervous System Diseases Infections Respiratory Tract Infections Pneumonia, Viral Pneumonia Virus Diseases |
Coronavirus Infections Coronaviridae Infections Nidovirales Infections RNA Virus Infections Lung Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases Nervous System Diseases |