Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Clinical Symptoms and DNA Methylation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and High Metabolic Risk
Hana Dema, Alja Videtic Paska, Katarina Kouter, Mojca Katrašnik, Mojca Jensterle, Andrej Janež, Aleš Oblak, Borut Škodlar, Jurij Bon
Current Issues in Molecular Biology March 24, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040178 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key points | MBSR was associated with reductions in body mass index, waist circumference, blood glucose, anxious symptomatology, and perceived stress, and with improvements in self-rated general health, emotional role limitation, pain, and mindfulness-like traits. Methylation changes were observed in COMT, FST, FKBP51, and MAOA. The authors conclude that MBSR may be a useful supplementary therapy to mitigate the deleterious effects of PCOS on mental health. |
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Research has shown that epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation may play a role in the development and progression of abnormal ovarian function and metabolic disorders in PCOS. Studies have identified specific genes (related with insulin signaling and steroid hormone metabolism) that are methylated in women with PCOS. DNA methylation appears to respond to various interventions aimed at altering health and lifestyle factors. We tested the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) in PCOS patients. We examined its effects on anthropometric measurements, mental health and wellbeing, and alterations in DNA methylation in peripheral blood. MBSR was associated with a reduction in body mass index, waist circumference and blood glucose level, an improvement in subjectively perceived general health, emotional role limitation, and levels of pain, as well as mindfulness-like traits. MBSR reduced the expression of anxious symptomatology and subjectively perceived stress. Methylation changes were observed in four genes: COMT, FST, FKBP51, and MAOA. We conclude that MBSR may be a useful supplementary therapy to mitigate the deleterious effects of PCOS on mental health.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 14
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A Systematic Review of Cognitive Outcomes Mindfulness February 16, 2022
- A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement as an Adjunct to Methadone Treatment for People with Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: Impact on Illicit Drug Use, Health, and Well-Being Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment May 8, 2021
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for psychological health and well-being in nonclinical samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Stress Management November 1, 2020
and 9 more in the library