A 31-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis practiced a mindfulness-based body scan technique daily before bedtime. Compared to baseline, the intervention improved both sleep quality and overall quality of life according to subjective questionnaires and objective biometric data from an electronic portable device. Biometric data revealed a notable dissociation between daily stress levels and sleep quality during the intervention period. Although self-report instruments indicated significant improvement, potential biases were noted. The single-case study suggests the technique may help manage sleep disturbances and enhance quality of life in MS, but larger-scale investigation is needed.
A randomized clinical trial with 332 healthy adults tested whether mindfulness- and meditation-based mental training can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports hippocampal neuroplasticity, and whether cortisol reduction mediates this effect. Participants were assigned to one of three training cohorts (attention-based mindfulness, socio-affective skills, or socio-cognitive skills) or a passive control group. Training cohorts completed up to three 3-month modules. Combined training groups showed significant cumulative increases in serum BDNF after 3, 6, and 9 months relative to baseline (estimated increases: 1353, 1557, and 2276 pg/mL, respectively).
Meditation alters the operation of the Default Mode Network (DMN) and creates differences in functional connectivity between brain networks. A systematic review of 16 controlled trials involving 853 experienced and non-experienced meditators found that meditative interventions affect DMN activity. Practices examined included Mindfulness, Samatha, Raja Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Vipassana, and Insight meditation from the Theravada tradition. Further research is needed to confirm meditation as an effective strategy for well-being.