Study recruitment has ended. We are now analyzing data for publication.

cold-study2c

The University of Wisconsin’s Department of Family Medicine is currently seeking participants to study whether meditation or exercise can prevent colds and flu. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in exploring mindfulness meditation or exercise to reduce stress, improve health and enhance mental well-being. Participation may include an 8-week behavioral training program in mindfulness meditation or exercise

The following individuals may be eligible…

  • Men and women ages 30 – 69
  • Healthy individuals who get at least one cold per year
  • Willingness to get the flu shot
  • Able to participate from August-May
  • Have reliable transportation for visits
  • Individuals who exercise regularly or have experience in meditation are NOT ELIGIBLE

What is This Study About?

The purpose of this study is to determine if EITHER 8 weeks of training in mindfulness meditation OR an 8-week exercise program can help prevent colds and flu. Approximately 400 adults ages 30 – 69 or older will participate in this study.

Preliminary evidence suggests that 8-week training programs in meditation and exercise lead to reductions in incidence, duration and severity of acute respiratory infection (ARI) illness.

The Meditation or Exercise for Preventing Acute Respiratory Infection (MEPARI-2) study is funded by a National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine grant . It will start in August 2012 and continue through June 2017. This study is being conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Family Medicine.

What Will I Have to Do?

  • If you decide to participate in this study you will be randomized (like a roll of the dice) to one of the following: (1) 8-week training program in MINDFULNESS MEDITATION, (2) 8-week EXERCISE training program, (3) or NEITHER (Control Group). You do not get to choose which group you get.
  • If you are randomized to meditation or exercise you should expect to attend a one-hour introductory class and then 8 weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 2.5 hours. You will also be asked to do daily homework (either exercise or meditation-related practice) for about 45 minutes each day. Classes begin in mid-September and end in early November.
  • There are a total of 6 scheduled study visits. You will also be asked to go to UW Hospital every time you have a cold. There will be a blood draw and nasal wash at each scheduled visit.
  • You will be given a flu shot during the 9th week of the study (after the 8 week training).
  • Throughout the study, you will log into a computerized system (or be called by a Research Coordinator) where you will answer questions about your health. These contacts should take no more than 10 minutes each.
  • You will also be asked to fill out surveys at each scheduled study visit and at-home monthly throughout the duration of the study. These surveys ask about your general health and about topics such as stress, anxiety, depression, optimism and positive/negative emotion. We will also monitor exercise or meditation practice, and ask about alcohol and tobacco use.
  • For each cold or flu episode, you will perform a nasal self swab at home, will go to the UW Hospital for a nasal wash sample and blood draw, and fill out surveys once each day until your cold has ended. These daily surveys should take about 15 minutes each.

How Do I Get Started?

Call a MEPARI Research Coordinator at 263-COLD (2653) to see if you are eligible. S/he will ask you questions to determine your eligibility. If you are eligible and interested, the Research Coordinator will set up an appointment to screen you for the study.

The screening study visit will last about 1 hour. You will fill out questionnaires to collect information about your exercise habits, tobacco and alcohol use, current health conditions, mental health conditions, perceived and experienced stress, and anxiety. There will also be health screenings, including a blood draw and a nasal wash sample. If you are eligible, you will be scheduled for a baseline (main study) visit two weeks later.

Yes! You will be paid $50 for completing the run-in trial, and $250 for complete participation in the main trial, for a total compensation of $300 per participant, plus free training in exercise or meditation (a $550 value). Only those who complete the run-in trial will be eligible for the main study. Control group participants will be offered free meditation training (or an additional $300) after the study is done.

Where is the Cold Study?

Reliable transportation is required to participate in weekly sessions at the UW Sports Medicine Fitness Center (located at UW Research Park on 621 Science Drive (Map). All other in-person meetings will take place at UW Hospital (Map).

Who is Conducting the Cold Study?

The Meditation and Exercise for Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection (MEPARI-2) study is being conducted by a group of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Family Medicine working on research projects directed by Bruce Barrett, MD PhD. Severity and duration of cold and flu illness will be assessed using Dr. Barrett’s Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS).

This study has been approved by the University of Wisconsin Health Sciences Institutional Review Board.

CALL 263-COLD (2653) TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY

If you would like someone to contact you about this study, click the link to enter your contact information.

CALL 263-COLD (2653) TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY

If you would like someone to contact you about this study, click the link to enter your contact information.