Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Salivary Cortisol and α-amylase Level, Anxiety and Depression in Students: A Randomized and Parallel-Group Clinical Trial.
Saba Hassanvandi, Reza Mohammadzadegan, Seyed Hassan Saadat, Boshra Hatef, Shima Shahyad
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback July 22, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-025-09690-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | University students in Khoy, Iran |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Cortisol Mental health Salivary α-amylase |
| Key findings | MBSR training improved general health, α-amylase level, and α-amylase/cortisol ratio in the experimental group compared to the control group. |
Abstract
The current trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training on salivary cortisol and α-amylase levels, anxiety and depression of students. This research was an experimental trial with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of the research included all students studying in the universities of Khoy, Iran in 2021. The sample consisted of 30 people who were assigned to two experimental and control groups equally. Stress, anxiety and depression scale (DASS-21), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and saliva samples were passively taken by ELISA laboratory method with special kits. Data analysis was done using an independent t-test and analysis of covariance using IBM-SPSS version 26 software. The results showed that MBSR training on general health, alpha-amylase level and alpha-amylase/cortisol ratio of experimental group participants was more effective than the control group (P 0.05). According to the findings, it can be argued that MBSR training has been able to promote the psychological (DASS and general health) and hormonal (alpha amylase level and alpha-amylase/cortisol ratio) mental health indicators of the experimental group participants compared to the control group.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 17
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- Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the mood benefits of meditation: A narrative review. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology March 10, 2021
- Meditation interventions efficiently reduce cortisol levels of at-risk samples: a meta-analysis Health Psychology Review July 7, 2020
and 12 more in the library