Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of Study Participants
| Variable | Mindfulness (n=100) |
Active Control (n=94) |
|---|---|---|
| Age, mean (SD), y | 47.2 (13.0) | 47.8 (12.4) |
| Sex, No. (%), female | 79 (79) | 81 (86) |
| Ethnic Origin, No. (%) | ||
| European | 65 (65.0) | 50 (53.0) |
| African | 13 (13.0) | 12 (12.8) |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 8 (8.0) | 11 (11.7) |
| Latina/Latino | 7 (7.0) | 16 (17.0) |
| Native American | 0 (0.0) | 2 (2.1) |
| Other | 7 (7.0) | 3 (3.2) |
| Education, No. (%), Bachelor’s degree a | 69 (69.7) | 56 (59.6) |
| Weight, mean (SD), kg | 97.7 (14.1) | 96.7 (14.8) |
| Body mass index, mean (SD)b | 35.4 (3.5) | 35.6 (3.8) |
| Waist circumference, mean (SD), cm | 112.9 (9.7) | 112.7 (10.6) |
| Resting cardiovascular measures, mean (SD)c | ||
| Systolic blood pressure, mmHg | 123.3 (14.8) | 125.5 (12.7) |
| Diastolic blood pressure, mmHg | 72.1 (9.7) | 72.7 (9.3) |
| Mean arterial pressure, mmHg | 88.8 (10.7) | 90.4 (11.1) |
| Heart rate, beats/min | 71.0 (11.5) | 71.1 (9.9) |
| Stroke volume, ml/beat | 113. 1 (36.0) | 105.0 (36.2) |
| Medications, No. (%) | ||
| Beta Blockers | 6 (6.0) | 2 (2.1) |
| Lipid lowering | 11 (11.0) | 9 (9.6) |
| Blood pressure | 16 (16.0) | 21 (22.3) |
| Anti-depressant | 17 (17.0) | 16 (17.0) |
| Metabolic Syndrome, No. (%)d | 28 (28.0) | 27 (28.7) |
One participant in the mindfulness arm did not provide education data.
Calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
Values reflect the last minute of a 10-minute rest period before the preparation portion of the Trier. Two participants in the mindfulness group have missing data for blood pressure, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure. Eight and twelve participants, in the mindfulness and control groups respectively, have missing data for stroke volume.
The criteria for metabolic syndrome were based on the guidelines developed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III, 2002). Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of three or more risk factors: increased waist circumference (88cm for women; 102 cm for men); elevated triglycerides (≥ 150 mg/dL) or medication use; low HDL cholesterol (<50 mg/dL in women; < 40 mg/dL in men) or medication use; hypertension (≥ 130/≥85 mm Hg) or medication use; and impaired fasting glucose (≥110 mg/dL).