Stress Management Program Study

This study is looking at different ways to manage stress and anxiety. Researchers are comparing two breathing exercises, called Cyclic Sighing and Box Breathing, with hypnosis and listening to an audiobook about stress. They want to see how effective these methods are right away and after 4 weeks of daily practice. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older and don't have any medical conditions that prevent you from having an MRI scan. The study will measure changes in your brain activity (neural activation) and how you rate your anxiety levels. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 80 participants. It is comparing four different behavioral interventions for stress and anxiety.
What's involved
You would practice a specific technique for 10 minutes daily for 28 days. You will also need to come to the research location twice for MRI assessments.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your anxiety levels will be measured daily for 28 days, and brain activity will be measured at the beginning and up to 4 weeks after the daily practice period.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06526585

Stress Management Program

Active, Not Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Stanford University
~80 participants
Updated 2026-08-20 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Cyclic Sighing BreathingBox BreathingHypnosisAudiobook

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Neural Activation
Measured over Baseline Scan (Day 0) and and Follow-up Scan (From day 29 up to 4 weeks later, depending on the Scan scheduling availability)
+1 more outcome measured
Stress
Anxiety
1 sites across 1 states
California1
  • David Spiegel, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Stanford University

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 18 or older
No contraindications to MRI imaging (like ferromagnetic metal in their body)

Exclusion

Pregnant or planning to get pregnant during study participation.
Not able or willing to come to research location twice for MRI assessments
  • Neural ActivationBaseline Scan (Day 0) and and Follow-up Scan (From day 29 up to 4 weeks later, depending on the Scan scheduling availability)

    As measured for example by Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) signal, assessed using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).

  • State Anxiety scale scoreImmediate: Baseline Scan (Day 0) and Follow-up Scan (from day 29 up to 4 weeks later, depending on the Scan scheduling availability); Daily: from Baseline (Day 0) to a day prior to Endpoint (Day 28)

    The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is an instrument for measuring anxiety in adults. It has 2 scales: State Anxiety (S-Anxiety) and Trait Anxiety (T-Anxiety). The S-Anxiety scale measures anxiety due to temporary conditions, and the T-Anxiety measures anxiety on a general or more long-standing scale. The S-Anxiety is a 20-item scale; each item yields a score of 1 to 4. Scores on the STAI S-Anxiety scale increase in response to physical danger and psychological stress and decrease as a result of relaxation training.