Writing About Experiences and Health in Older Adults II
Researchers at UCLA are looking for healthy adults, aged 65 and older, to join a study exploring how writing about experiences might affect your brain and body. This study involves a "Writing Intervention" where you'll write about different experiences. The researchers want to see if this writing changes your psychological distress, social support, and how much you participate in social activities. They will measure these changes at the beginning of the study, at 6 weeks, and again at 10 weeks. You cannot join if you are a current smoker, have certain medical conditions, use specific medications, or have a BMI over 35, among other criteria.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study planning to enroll 200 healthy older adults.
- What's involved
- You will write once a week for 6 weeks and complete online questionnaires. You will also visit the UCLA campus twice for a brain scan (fMRI), a blood spot sample, and more questionnaires.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your psychological distress, social support, and social participation will be measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Writing About Experiences and Health in Older Adults II
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesWho to contact
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?
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Inclusion
What this trial measures
- Change in Psychological DistressBaseline, 6 weeks, 10 weeks
Composite measure of depression, anxiety, stress (Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger Trait Anxiety, and Perceived Stress Scale)
- Change in Social SupportBaseline, 6 weeks, 10 weeks
measure of perceived social support (Social Provisions Scale)
- Change in Social ParticipationBaseline, 6 weeks, 10 weeks
measure of participation in social activities (Lifestyle Activities Questionnaire)
- Change in Inflammatory Gene ExpressionBaseline, 6 weeks, 10 weeks
changes in proinflammatory gene expression
- Change in Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC) Activity in response to stressBaseline, 6 weeks
Parameter estimates from dACC region-of-interest
- Change in Anterior Insula Activity in response to stressBaseline, 6 weeks
Parameter estimates from bilateral anterior insula region-of-interest
- Change in Amygdala Activity in response to threatBaseline, 6 weeks
Parameter estimates from bilateral amygdala region-of-interest
- Change in Ventral Striatum Activity in response to prosocial behaviorBaseline, 6 weeks
Parameter estimates from bilateral ventral striatum region-of-interest
- Change in Septal Area Activity in response to prosocial behaviorBaseline, 6 weeks
Parameter estimates from septal area region-of-interest