Trial Outcomes & Findings for Compassion-Based Resiliency Training (CBRT) Intervention on Racism-based Stress (NCT NCT06146218)

Participants were recruited through community outreach, flyers, and word of mouth in New York City. Eligibility: self-identified African American adults between 18 and 50 years of age. A total of 35 individuals were screened, and 22 were enrolled.

Of the 22 enrolled, 1 participant was lost to follow-up prior to beginning the intervention. Thus, 21 participants began CBRT.

Compassion-Based Resiliency Training (CBRT) Intervention on Racism-based Stress

number of participants who complete the study

Acceptability was assessed using structured qualitative exit interviews conducted post-intervention. Interview transcripts were reviewed using structured thematic coding. Predefined themes reflecting participant experience were identified, including expectations alignment, perceived usefulness of meditation/emotional regulation tools, facilitator support, group dynamics, session structure, and behavioral impact. For reporting purposes, the number of participants who explicitly endorsed each theme during the interview was counted. Participants could endorse more than one theme; therefore, totals across themes do not sum to the overall sample size. Endorsement reflects a clear expression of agreement, perceived benefit, or experience related to the theme during qualitative analysis.

Allostatic load score is a composite score based on eleven biomarkers. Risk categories for the level of each biomarker are defined and points, high (Hi) (1 point), moderate (Mod) (0.5 points), or low (low) (0 points), are awarded based on established norms in clinical medicine. Allostatic Load is the sum of the points from the 11 biomarkers. High scores indicate a more significant risk. 1\) SBP: Hi ≥ 150 mmHg, Mod 120 to 149 mmHg, Low \< 120 mmHg; 2) DBP: Hi ≥ 90 mmHg, Mod 80 to 89 mmHg, Low \< 80 mmHg; 3) Total cholesterol: Hi ≥ 240 mg/dL, Mod 200 to 239 mg/dL, Low \< 200 mg/dL; 4) HDL cholesterol: Hi \< 40 mg/dL, Mod 40 to 59 mg/dL, Low \> 60 mg/dL; 5) Total/HDL cholesterol ratio: Hi ≥ 6, Mod 5 to \< 6, Low \< 5; 6) HgbA1C: Hi ≥ 6.5%, Mod 5.7 to \< 6.5%, Low \< 5.7%; 7) Waist-hip ratio (women): Hi ≥ 0.85, Mod \> 0.80 to \< 0.85, Low ≤ 0.80; Waist-hip ratio (men): Hi ≥ 1.0, Mod \> 0.95 to \< 1.0, Low ≤ 0.95; 8); BMI: Hi ≥ 30 kg/m2, Mod 25

Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) was calculated as the difference between salivary cortisol concentration measured 30 minutes after awakening and at waking (µg/dL). Positive values reflect a physiologic increase in cortisol following awakening.

CTRA gene expression was assessed using genome-wide transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood samples. Expression levels of 45 pre-specified CTRA indicator genes were quantified as log2-transformed mRNA abundance values. Gene expression values were mean-centered and weighted using established contrast scores reflecting pro-inflammatory and antiviral gene contributions. A composite CTRA score was calculated by averaging the weighted expression values across all genes, with higher scores indicating greater pro-inflammatory and lower antiviral gene expression activity.

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR )will determine average telomere length.