Challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase in an over 60 population undergoing psychotherapeutic treatment for complicated grief: Lessons learned

Jesse M. Bell; Tina M. Mason; Harleah G. Buck; Cindy S. Tofthagen; Allyson R. Duffy; Maureen W. Groër; James P. McHale; Kevin E. Kip

doi:10.1177/1054773820973274

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Challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase in an over 60 population undergoing psychotherapeutic treatment for complicated grief: Lessons learned

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Challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase in an over 60 population undergoing psychotherapeutic treatment for complicated grief: Lessons learned

Jesse M. Bell, Tina M. Mason, Harleah G. Buck, Cindy S. Tofthagen, Allyson R. Duffy, Maureen W. Groër, James P. McHale and Kevin E. Kip

Clinical nursing research, Vol.30(5), pp.680-689

06/01/2021

DOI: 10.1177/1054773820973274

PMCID: PMC8177751

PMID: 33218253

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Abstract

Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing responses to stress reduction treatment. This paper reports challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase (sAA) for a recent randomized clinical trial. Within-session changes in salivary cortisol and sAA for 54 older adults with CG who received Accelerated Resolution Therapy were compared with perceived stress measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Bivariate correlations and multiple regressions examined changes in biomarkers. Protocols, study logs, and audit reports identified challenges. Challenges included obtaining unstimulated passive drool salivary samples and their analyses. Our sample of older females on multiple medications may have resulted in a perfect storm of moderating and intervening variables which affected the stress response. This paper contributes to the discussion on designing clinical trials for older adults which must account for physiologic changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy common in this population and makes recommendations moving forward.

Biomarkers

Accelerated Resolution Therapy

alpha amylase

complicated grief

cortisol

salivary

Details

Title: Subtitle: Challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase in an over 60 population undergoing psychotherapeutic treatment for complicated grief: Lessons learned
Creators: Jesse M. Bell - University of South Florida, College of Public Health
Tina M. Mason - University of South Florida
Harleah G. Buck - University of South Florida
Cindy S. Tofthagen - Mayo Clinic in Florida
Allyson R. Duffy - University of South Florida
Maureen W. Groër - University of South Florida
James P. McHale - University of South Florida
Kevin E. Kip - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Clinical nursing research, Vol.30(5), pp.680-689
DOI: 10.1177/1054773820973274
PMID: 33218253
PMCID: PMC8177751
NLM abbreviation: Clin Nurs Res
ISSN: 1054-7738
eISSN: 1552-3799
Grant note: name: National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, award: R21AG056584
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2021
Academic Unit: Nursing
Record Identifier: 9984370742702771

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