Breath Control and Mindfulness for Post-Concussion Anxiety and Depression

Males and females ≥18 to ≤65 years of age with ability to comprehend English (written and spoken). Physician-diagnosed concussion ≥ 4weeks prior to commencing participation in study. Experiencing post-concussion symptoms (> 0 on the RPQ) Experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression (Score ≥ 5 on the GAD-7 but ≤ 15, or ≥ 5 on the PHQ-9 but ≤ 20; score of 0 on question 9 the PHQ-9) Access to an internet accessible device (e.g., computer, smart phone or tablet) Access to a smart device (iOS or Android) No history of cardiovascular or cardiorespiratory condition, non-traumatic acquired brain injury, neurological or neurodevelopment disorder, unmanaged or managed psychiatric diagnosis (i.e., mental health issue, including bipolar, schizophrenia, etc.), or substance abuse (drug or alcohol) Not currently pregnant and not currently attending other yogic or meditation/mindfulness therapy sessions

Our study involves performing a breath control, mindfulness or meditation task xx times per day for 8 weeks. This study is focusing on the feasibility of the study by evaluating aspects such as recruitment and retention. In this study participants will be randomly assigned to one of three study arms: (1) controlled breathing task, (2) guided mindfulness task, or (3) meditation task. The study will involve performing the assigned task for 20 minutes per day. (1) The controlled breathing task involves breathing in, followed by a breath hold and breathing out at a slow and even pace, guided by a free App on your smart device. (2) The guided mindfulness task involves listening to an audio recording that will lead you through a mindfulness session. (3) The meditation task involves completing a self-directed meditation session. We ask that you complete the task daily for a period of 8 weeks. At the end of each week you will complete questionnaires related to your symptoms to monitor your progress throughout the study. This study is being conducted using remote methods of communication and participation, there will be no in-person contact. Communication between the participant and the investigators will happen via email or phone (participant's choice). Access to all the study materials will be through electronic means; instructions will be sent to the participant via email, access to study questionnaires will be through a secure web-based platform called REDCap. The daily task sessions will take you approximately 25 minutes to complete (including set-up time) and the weekly questionnaires could take you up to 20 minutes to complete. The questionnaires used in this study will ask the participant to rate their feelings and emotions as it pertains to anxiety and depression symptoms, and to rate their symptoms as it relates to persistent post-concussion symptoms. At the conclusion of the study, participants will also be asked to evaluate their experience throughout the study.

Principal Investigator: Jim Dickey
Study posted on: July 21, 2021
Recruitment completed

For more information about this study please contact:
Nathan Campbell
wcampb23@uwo.ca