The Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for Depression (3RP-D) is a low-cost, easily replicable, 6-session, 1.5 hour, mind body intervention.

The 3RP-D was designed to promote resiliency by reducing the harmful effects of stress through the elicitation of the relaxation response, and through skill training to enhance positive attitudes and beliefs, nutrition, exercise, recuperative sleep, social support, and coping. Specific interventions include: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), enhancing social support (SS), cultivating positive attitudes and beliefs (CPE), and promoting Healthy Lifestyle Habits(HL). The 3RP-D program has been manualized for use by group facilitators and health center patients.

The program combines lecture, skills training, symptom monitoring, and group sharing aimed at preparing patients to take active roles in managing their own health. Elements of the program include:

• Elicitation of the relaxation response through techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and mindfulness.
• Examination and reversal of negative thought patterns.
• Physical movement, including stretching and yoga.
• Healthy eating and other positive lifestyle behaviors.
• Goal setting.

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10) was used to assess depression severity pre-and post-intervention. This is the shorter 10-item, modified version of the 20-item CES-D. The total score is the sum of the 10 item weights, with the lowest possible score being 0 and the highest possible score being 30, and a higher score indicating more depressive symptoms. Developed from other well-validated depression scales, this instrument measures the experience of depressive symptoms over the past week. This instrument is shown to be better than the CES-D 20 in combining data from different ethnic and cultural groups, and is available in both English and Spanish. This scale has been reported to have good internal consistency and validity.

The SF-12 was used to assess health status. It is the shortened version of the well-validated SF-36, directed at monitoring overall physical and mental health outcomes. It is available in both English and Spanish. Scoring algorithms involve weighted-item responses, all 8 scales to use the same standardization for easy comparison. All scores range from 0-100 where higher scores indicated better QOL. The mean = 50 and the SD = 10.

The QOL-5 is a short, global, and generic quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for clinical databases. The QOL-5 item tool is used to compare various population groups using generic factors common to people everywhere irrespective of age, sex, culture, and state of health. Scores on the QOL-5 ranges from 0 = lowest quality to 100 = highest quality.

Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (PSQ-18) takes approximately 3-4 minutes to complete, containing 18 items examining seven dimensions of satisfaction with medical care: general satisfaction (2 questions, Mean =3.58, SD =0.94), technical quality (3 questions, Mean = 3.68, SD = 0.76), interpersonal manner (2 questions, Mean = 4.09, SD = 0.69), communication (2 questions, Mean = 3.74, SD = 0.87), financial aspects (2 questions, Mean = 3.78, SD = 0.94), time spent with doctor (2 questions, Mean = 3.59, SD = 0.94), and accessibility and convenience (4 questions, Mean = 3.76, SD = 0.74). Responses to each item are given on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 - strongly agree to 5 - strong disagree, therefore higher scores correspond to less satisfaction. PSQ-18 subscale scores are substantially correlated with their full-scale counterparts and possess generally adequate internal consistency reliability.

The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) was used to assess health promoting behaviors. Based on the Health Promoting Model (Pender, 1982) this 52-item instrument measures self-initiated health behaviors that serve to maintain or enhance the level of self-actualization and wellness. Included are subscales for physical activity, spiritual growth, health responsibility, interpersonal relations, nutrition, and stress management. It is self-administered and uses a 4-point response format. Both English and Spanish versions are available.

A score for overall health-promoting lifestyle is obtained by calculating a mean of the individual's responses to all 52 items; six subscale scores are obtained similarly by calculating a mean of the responses to subscale items. Scores range from 1 = Never to 4 = Routinely, with a higher score corresponding to a more health promoting lifestyle.

The Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for Depression (3RP-D) is a low-cost, easily replicable, 6-session, 1.5 hour, mind body intervention.

The 3RP-D was designed to promote resiliency by reducing the harmful effects of stress through the elicitation of the relaxation response, and through skill training to enhance positive attitudes and beliefs, nutrition, exercise, recuperative sleep, social support, and coping. Specific interventions include: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), enhancing social support (SS), cultivating positive attitudes and beliefs (CPE), and promoting Healthy Lifestyle Habits(HL). The 3RP-D program has been manualized for use by group facilitators and health center patients.

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10) was used to assess depression severity pre-and post-intervention. This is the shorter 10-item, modified version of the 20-item CES-D. The total score is the sum of the 10 item weights, with the lowest possible score being 0 and the highest possible score being 30, and a higher score indicating more depressive symptoms. Developed from other well-validated depression scales, this instrument measures the experience of depressive symptoms over the past week. This instrument is shown to be better than the CES-D 20 in combining data from different ethnic and cultural groups, and is available in both English and Spanish. This scale has been reported to have good internal consistency and validity.

24 patients met completer status, defined as patients who attended all or part of the six sessions.

The Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for Depression (3RP-D) is a low-cost, easily replicable, 6-session, 1.5 hour, mind body intervention.

The 3RP-D was designed to promote resiliency by reducing the harmful effects of stress through the elicitation of the relaxation response, and through skill training to enhance positive attitudes and beliefs, nutrition, exercise, recuperative sleep, social support, and coping. Specific interventions include: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), enhancing social support (SS), cultivating positive attitudes and beliefs (CPE), and promoting Healthy Lifestyle Habits(HL). The 3RP-D program has been manualized for use by group facilitators and health center patients.