Impact of Meditation-Based Lifestyle Practices on Mindfulness, Wellbeing, and Plasma Telomerase Levels: A Case-Control Study.
Nirodhi Namika Dasanayaka, Nirmala Dushyanthi Sirisena, Nilakshi Samaranayake
Frontiers in Psychology March 4, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.846085 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control comparative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | 30 long-term skilled meditators recruited from meditation centers and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy non-meditators recruited from the community |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Measures | Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Quality of Life Questionnaire, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Quality of life Case-control Healthy aging Plasma telomerase |
| Key findings | Skilled meditators showed higher mindfulness, quality of life, and plasma telomerase levels than non-meditators, and telomerase and trait mindfulness were related to duration of practice. The authors argue these findings support sustained benefits of meditation for wellbeing and healthy aging. |
Abstract
Meditation involves psychophysical training which can result in a range of benefits including creating a calm mind and increasing self-awareness, relaxation, and tranquility. Increasing evidence, mostly based on short-term focused interventions, suggests that meditation-based activities may also have favorable effects on physical wellbeing including cellular aging. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate if continued practice of meditation benefited quality of life, state of mindfulness, and plasma telomerase level in healthy adults. 30 long-term and skilled meditators were recruited from meditation centers in different parts of the island following a two-tier screening process of 70 eligible participants and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy non-meditators were recruited from the community. Mindfulness level and the quality of life were measured using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and Quality of Life Questionnaire, respectively, while the levels of plasma telomerase enzyme were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Skilled meditators had a better mindfulness level (p < 0.001) and quality of life (QOL; p < 0.001) than those in the comparison group. Similarly, higher plasma telomerase levels were observed in skilled meditators compared to non-meditators (p = 0.002). Trait mindfulness level and plasma telomerase level showed a significant relationship with the duration of meditation practice (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011, respectively). Regression analysis indicated that trait mindfulness level (p < 0.001) significantly predicts the plasma telomerase level. The findings of this comparative study add to the evidence on sustained benefits of meditation on wellbeing and healthy aging and supports incorporating meditation-based activities into lifestyle practices.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Respiratory function in healthy long-term meditators: A cross-sectional comparative study Heliyon July 22, 2023
- The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Mindfulness January 25, 2023
- ‘’The Science Behind Raj Yoga Meditation-A Narrative Review’’ Advancement in Yoga and Physical Therapy October 31, 2023
- How does meditation relate to quality of life, positive lifestyle habits and carbon footprint? Heliyon January 15, 2025
- Buddha image meditation is a potent predictor for mental health outcomes: A cross-sectional study among Thai high-school students. PLoS One 2025
and 8 more in the library
Cites 19
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Meditation Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics February 18, 2010
- Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology June 1, 2011
- Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Cognitive Stress, Mindfulness, and Telomeres Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2009
- Why could meditation practice help promote mental health and well-being in aging? Alzheimer's Research & Therapy June 22, 2018
and 14 more in the library