Online, low-volume meditation does not alter immune-related biomarkers.
Brett Graham, Yuxuan Jin, Peter Bazeley, Elaine Husni, Leonard H Calabrese
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health December 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100531 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized, parallel pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 61 |
| Population | Healthy nurses with above-average levels of perceived stress |
| Interventions | Online mindfulness-based stress management program Relaxing music |
| Duration | 6-week intervention, with follow-up to 12 weeks |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Crp, c-reactive protein Ifn-γ, interferon gamma Il-10, interleukin-10 Il-6, interleukin-6 Il-8, interleukin-8 |
| Key points | The online mindfulness program reduced perceived stress in nurses, but only after 12 weeks, whereas the relaxing-music control group showed reductions at 6 weeks. No significant differences between groups were observed in RNA gene expression or other biomarkers of immune function, which the authors interpret as evidence of a floor effect of mindfulness on these measures. |
Abstract
Prior studies of mindfulness meditation have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects but whether meditation courses delivered online can exert similar effects is poorly understood. Barriers to large scale implementation of traditional mindfulness meditation programs has created an increased interest in the effect of less time- and resource-intensive online meditation courses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 6-week online mindfulness program with low time demands on nurses would lead to changes in gene expression, cytokine profiles, telomerase activity, and cortisol profiles. This was a randomized, parallel pilot study comparing an online mindfulness-based stress management program to an active control group from December 2018 to May 2019. Healthy nurses with above average levels of perceived stress were randomized to receive a 6-week online mindfulness-based stress management program including ≥5 min daily meditation practice or listen to relaxing music for ≥5 min daily as the control arm. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 weeks, and various self-reported measures of stress, physical and emotional health were collected at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks. Whole transcriptome mRNA sequencing of whole blood at baseline and after 6 weeks was performed along with measurement of plasma IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated, and telomerase activity was measured. Diurnal salivary cortisol profiles were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. The primary outcome was change over time in a pre-determined set of 53 genes representative of the immune-related changes seen with stress, which was analyzed using a mixed linear model. Secondary outcomes included all other self-reported measures and biomarkers mentioned above. A total of 61 nurses were randomized, with 52 having sufficient data to include in the final analysis. After 6 weeks, nurses in the control group reported significant reductions in stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale while those in the mindfulness group did not. However, after 12 weeks, the mindfulness group also showed a significant reduction in stress. When compared to the control group, no significant changes in RNA gene expression or any other biomarkers were observed in the nurses who participated in the mindfulness program. Our study found that this brief online mindfulness-based intervention was effective in reducing stress in nurses, albeit with a delayed effect compared to listening to relaxing music. Regarding immunoregulatory effects, there were no significant differences between treatment and control groups in transcriptomic or other tested biomarkers of immune function. This study provides evidence for a floor effect of mindfulness on transcriptional and circulating biomarkers of immune function.
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
Cited by 2
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing psychological distress among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Nursing Scholarship March 1, 2024
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: A Systematic Review. Neurology International November 20, 2024
Cites 14
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