Psycho-endocrine-immune response to mindfulness-based stress reduction in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus: a quasiexperimental study.
F Patrick Robinson, Herbert L Mathews, Linda Witek Janusek
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) October 2003 DOI: 10.1089/107555303322524535 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasiexperimental, nonrandomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals infected with HIV |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Natural killer cell activity and number increased significantly in the MBSR group compared to the comparison group, while no significant changes or differences were found for psychological, endocrine, or functional health variables. |
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a structured, 8-week, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on perceived stress, mood, endocrine function, immunity, and functional health outcomes in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study used a quasiexperimental, nonrandomized design. Subjects were specifically recruited (nonrandom) for intervention (MBSR) or comparison group. Data were collected at pretest and post-test in the MBSR group and at matched times in the comparison group. t Tests where performed to determine within-group changes and between-group differences. Natural killer cell activity and number increased significantly in the MBSR group compared to the comparison group. No significant changes or differences were found for psychological, endocrine, or functional health variables. These results provide tentative evidence that MBSR may assist in improving immunity in individuals infected with HIV.