Effects of meditation and mind-body exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor: A literature review of human experimental studies
Sports Medicine and Health Science March 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.smhs.2020.03.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Healthy and diseased individuals |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Yoga Tai chi |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness meditation and mind-body exercise may increase circulating BDNF concentrations, but the evidence is limited by small sample sizes and lack of randomized controlled designs. |
Abstract
This paper provides a literature review of current studies investigating the effects of meditation and mind-body exercise on peripheral concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important mediator of the neuroplasticity of the central nervous system and cognitive function. A literature search was conducted to collect currently published randomized controlled, non-randomized controlled and uncontrolled intervention studies. Fifteen studies were identified; and among these studies, seven were randomized controlled studies, three were non-randomized studies, and five were uncontrolled studies. Current limited evidence tends to support that mindfulness meditation and mind-body exercise (e.g. yoga and tai chi) increase circulating BDNF concentrations in healthy and diseased individuals. It is noteworthy that these findings are based on current studies with a relatively small sample size, or without a randomized controlled design. Further studies are needed to identify a definite effect of meditation or mind-body exercise on BDNF and its role in improving/maintaining brain functions in various populations.