Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial.
Gustavo Díez, Ignacio Martin-Subero, Rosaria M Zangri, Marta Kulis, Catherine I. Andreu, Iván Blanco, Pablo Roca, Pablo Cuesta, Carola García, Jesús Garzón, Carlos Herradón, Miguel Riutort, Shishir Baliyan, César Venero, Carmelo Vázquez
PLoS One 2023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283169 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Clinical protocol Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy volunteer adults from the general population |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) |
| Duration | 7-day retreat; 3-month and 12-month follow-up |
| Measures | DNA methylation biomarkers, EEG resting state, EKG, respiration patterns, diurnal cortisol slopes, self-report questionnaires (mindfulness, compassion, well-being, distress, general functioning), Arithmetic Stress Test, retrieval of negative autobiographical memories |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT05516355 |
| Key points | The protocol proposes to evaluate whether MBSR and CCT, delivered in an intensive 7-day retreat with a randomized crossover order, produce changes in epigenetic, neurobiological, psychophysiological, and psychological measures, and whether their combination has additional effects. It aims to identify mechanisms linking meditation and compassion practices to biological and psychological outcomes. |
Abstract
The main objective of the study will be to evaluate the effects of two widely used standardized mindfulness-based programs [Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT)], on epigenetic, neurobiological, psychological, and physiological variables. The programs will be offered in an intensive retreat format in a general population sample of healthy volunteer adults. During a 7-day retreat, participants will receive MBSR and CCT in a crossover design where participants complete both programs in random order. After finishing their first 3-day training with one of the two programs, participants will be assigned to the second 3-day training with the second program. The effects of the MBSR and CCT programs, and their combination, will be measured by epigenetic changes (i.e., DNA methylation biomarkers), neurobiological and psychophysiological measures (i.e., EEG resting state, EKG, respiration patterns, and diurnal cortisol slopes), self-report questionnaires belonging to different psychological domains (i.e., mindfulness, compassion, well-being, distress, and general functioning), and stress tasks (i.e., an Arithmetic Stress Test and the retrieval of negative autobiographical memories). These measures will be collected from both groups on the mornings of day 1 (pre-program), day 4 (after finishing the first program and before beginning the second program), and day 7 (post-second program). We will conduct a 3-month and a 12-month follow-up using only the set of self-report measures. This study aims to shed light on the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms linked to meditation and compassion in the general population. The protocol was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05516355; August 23, 2022).