Are Subjective Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Related to Changes in Cardiac and Cortical Responses to a Stress Task?
Ivan Nyklíček, G.J.M. van Boxtel, Loek J. van der Donk, Willem J. Kop, Paul Lodder
Mindfulness May 14, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-024-02358-x (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training reduced general negative affect and increased heart rate variability from before to after the intervention. However, out of six physiological measures taken during a stressful recall task, only a decrease in gamma brainwave power at a frontal electrode site was significant. The subjective improvements in distress were not related to the physiological changes. The findings suggest that MBSR's benefits on general stress may not be clearly reflected in cardiac or cortical responses during recall of a recent stressful episode.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | MBSR participants (77.6% female, mean age 43.8 years) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Pre- and post-MBSR |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Stress linguistics Task project management Public health Psychological stress |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | MBSR decreased general negative affect and increased heart rate variability, but only gamma power response during stress recall changed significantly, and subjective and physiological changes were unrelated. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to decrease general feelings of distress. It is not known to what extent such beneficial effects are associated with attenuation of physiological responses to challenging psychological situations. The aim of the present study was to examine potential associations between general decreases in subjective distress and changes in acute cardiac and cortical responses during recall of a recent stressful episode between pre- and post-MBSR. Method Fifty-eight MBSR participants (77.6% female, mean age 43.8 years, SD = 13.1) took part in a laboratory examination before and after MBSR. Measurements of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) were performed during the whole protocol including the stress recall task. Results The MBSR group showed overall decreases in general negative affect and an increase in heart rate variability from pre- to post-intervention. Out of six physiological outcomes (heart rate, heart rate variability, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma power at Fz), only a decreased response of gamma power during the stress task was significant. The subjective and physiological changes were unrelated. Conclusions The present results suggest that the favourable effects of MBSR on general stress reduction may not be clearly reflected in cortical electrical wave activity or vagal cardiac response during recall of a recent stressful episode. The few changes found in cardiac and cortical activity may be due to either effects independent of general subjective feelings or independent of the intervention altogether. Preregistration The study is not preregistered.