# Telephone-based mindfulness training to reduce blood pressure in Black women with hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $787,864

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Black women experience disproportionately high rates of hypertension compared to women of other racial and
ethnic groups, and their blood pressure (BP) control rates are well below targets despite high levels of
awareness and treatment. There is an urgent need for effective nonpharmacological strategies beyond lifestyle
behavior change to improve hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in this understudied
population. Chronic psychosocial stress is associated with hypertension and CVD. Black women are exposed
to both race- and gender-based stressors and may employ coping strategies (e.g., emotion suppression, self-
care postponement) that increase vulnerability to stress. While many stressful events and circumstances
cannot be avoided, adaptive coping can mitigate adverse effects of stress exposure. Mindfulness-based
cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based program that teaches meditation practices and cognitive
strategies to reduce perceived stress and negative emotions. Qualitative research supports the cultural
relevance of mindfulness interventions for Black women but clinical trial evidence in this population is limited.
Further, the burdensome nature of traditional in-person MBCT poses a significant barrier to participation. We
have adapted MBCT for delivery to small groups by telephone (MBCT-T) and our preliminary data support the
feasibility, acceptability and effects of the intervention. We propose an RCT to evaluate effects of MBCT-T on
BP and psychological outcomes in Black women with uncontrolled hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study
(JHS) - a longitudinal cohort study designed to investigate the causes of CVD in Blacks. A sample of 300
female JHS participants with uncontrolled hypertension will be enrolled and randomized to MBCT-T or
telephone-based support groups (TSG), an active comparison condition. Both programs involve 8 weekly
group-based phone sessions. The primary outcome is home (HBP), a better predictor of CVD risk than clinic
BP, measured for 7 days at baseline and 3- and 6-month follow-up with validated wireless devices. Secondary
outcomes are perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Measures of chronic stress, coping, resilience and
potential psychological, social and behavioral mediators of intervention effects will be assessed. Data from the
three prior JHS exams and 20 years of annual follow-up data will also be used to characterize long-term levels
of psychosocial factors that may help to explain variability in treatment response. The specific aims are to: (1)
Test the hypothesis that MBCT-T will be associated with greater 6-month reductions in systolic BP vs. TSG; (2)
Test the hypothesis that MBCT-T will be associated with greater 6-month reductions in perceived stress and
depressive symptoms vs. TSG; and (3) Explore potential mediators and moderators of intervention effects on
BP and secondary outcomes. Findings will advance understanding of stress, coping and effects of mindfulness
...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10446530
- **Project number:** 1R01MD016402-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** TANYA M Spruill
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $787,864
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-07 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10446530

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10446530, Telephone-based mindfulness training to reduce blood pressure in Black women with hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study (1R01MD016402-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10446530. Licensed CC0.

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