Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Metabolic Syndrome

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Study for Couples

Mindfulness based stress reduction offered to couples where one has metabolic syndrome to see if their stress is reduced as measured by bio markers and surveys

This is a pilot study being designed to pilot a MBSR program for the purposes of future research.The investigators will be using two cohorts. One who will get the intervention and the other who will be wait listed and receive the intervention at a later date. Eight week mindfulness class offered to couples, who also attend an orientation session and a half day retreat with other couples to learn how to control stress through mindfulness meditation practices. Participants will come for lab work before intervention, eight weeks after initial class and at the end of entire program. Bio- markers to be measured are waist circumference, FBS and cholesterol.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant has 3 of the following: a Abdominal Obesity; b. Hypertriglyceridemia; c. Low High Density Lipoproteins (HDL); d. High Blood Pressure; e. High Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)
• Participant must be married or co- habituating
• Both partners are over sixty

Exclusion Criteria:

• Either partner is non- English speaking
• Either partner practices mind- body therapies more than once a week/
• Either partner taking psychiatric medicine