# Proof of Concept Trial of a Mindful Walking Intervention for Black Women with Hypertension

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2024 · $162,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Hypertension disproportionately affects Black women and is a key risk factor for cardiovascular
disease, a leading cause of death. As many as 39.9% of Black women have hypertension compared to
Asian women (21.9%), Hispanic women (28%), and White women (25.6%). Among women with
hypertension, Black women are 2.3 times more likely than white women to have uncontrolled blood
pressure (BP). Physical activity can reduce hypertension risk and incidence, but rates are low among
Black women. The vast majority of Black women (83.3%), are not meeting the national guidelines for
physical activity. Stress is known as a key risk factor for hypertension as well as a major barrier to
physical activity among Black women.
 To address hypertension and physical activity disparities among Black women, we propose a
technology-delivered mindful walking intervention to reduce stress, increase PA, and ultimately reduce
blood pressure in Black women with hypertension. We will leverage culturally-relevant frameworks on
stress among Black women such as the Superwoman Schema to understand the role of stress on health
outcomes in Black women to tailor the intervention. We will conduct focus groups with N=30 Black
women with hypertension who are insufficiently active to gather insights about 1) barriers and facilitators
to engaging in physical activity, 2) views of the Superwoman Schema, and 3) perspectives on a remotely
delivered mindful walking intervention, including the modality, goals, walking pad, and content. Using
the ORBIT model for intervention design, we will then develop and test the intervention in a 1-arm proof
of concept study. Findings will inform the development of the intervention in preparation for an efficacy
trial. We will enroll N=30 Black women into a 12-week Facebook-delivered mindful walking
intervention. Feasibility outcomes will include recruitment, retention, engagement, and acceptability.
Following this proof-of-concept test, we will conduct post intervention focus groups with participants to
further refine the intervention.
 Building on Dr. Kalinowski’s prior pilot work on mindfulness and hypertension in Black women,
this study will provide her with training in designing, developing, and implementing technology-delivered
physical activity interventions to reduce CVD risk among Black women. This project contributes to Dr.
Kalinowski’s long-term goal of designing technology-delivered physical activity interventions that can be
leveraged to reduce CVD burden among Black women. Dr. Kalinowski has access to a rich research
environment at the University of Connecticut along with expert mentors who are dedicated to her training
and long-term development as an independent researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10949704
- **Project number:** 1K01HL174819-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Jolaade Kalinowski
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $162,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10949704

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10949704, Proof of Concept Trial of a Mindful Walking Intervention for Black Women with Hypertension (1K01HL174819-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10949704. Licensed CC0.

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