Neural mechanisms of mindfulness-based stress reduction in asthma.
Estelle T. Higgins, William W. Busse, Danika R. Klaus, Daniel W Grupe, Robin I. Goldman, Juan C Celedón, Richard J. Davidson, Melissa A. Rosenkranz
Scientific Reports May 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-53074-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Adults with asthma |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Asthma Neuroimaging |
| Key findings | MBSR reduced lateral prefrontal/orbitofrontal cortex responses to aversive cues and decreased salience network reactivity, with the latter linked to reduced psychological distress and airway inflammation. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can improve symptoms of chronic inflammation; in asthma, improving asthma control and reducing airway inflammation. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these salubrious outcomes could help identify neuroimmune phenotypes and personalize interventions. Adults with asthma were randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR (n = 38) or a wait-list group (n = 34). Clinically relevant asthma-related and psychological outcomes were measured, and task-based fMRI data were acquired during exposure to emotional cues at baseline, post-intervention, and 6mo follow-up. Whole-brain group x time interactions and voxelwise regressions were used to evaluate changes in neural responses to emotion cues from baseline and their relationship to psychological and biological outcomes. Post-intervention, MBSR participants showed decreased lateral prefrontal/orbitofrontal cortex responses to aversive cues relative to controls, which was associated with increased mindfulness. Across participants, decreased salience network reactivity at post-intervention was associated with reduced psychological distress and airway inflammation. At 6 months, some relationships persisted while others did not. Results suggest that mindfulness training reduced effortful regulation of cognitive and affective responses to emotional cues, instead promoting more efficient processing strategies and reduced affective reactivity. Our findings clarify neural mechanisms underlying MBSR's clinical benefits for asthma, underscoring mind-brain-immune relationships as a critical target for asthma treatment.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 14
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
- Neural mechanisms of attentional control in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience 2013
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
and 9 more in the library