Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans.
Karen L Saban, Eileen G Collins, Herbert L Mathews, Fred B Bryant, Dina Tell, Beverly Gonzalez, Sudha Bhoopalam, Christopher P Chroniak, Linda Witek Janusek
Journal of General Internal Medicine September 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07584-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 164 |
| Population | Women veterans with risk factors for cardiovascular disease from the Chicagoland area |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with weekly 2.5-hour classes; follow-up 6 months after completion |
| Measures | Perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, PTSD symptoms, diurnal salivary cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cytokines Diurnal salivary cortisol Mindfulness-based stress reduction Randomized controlled trial Veteran Women |
| Key findings | Compared with an active health education control, MBSR reduced perceived stress, loneliness, and PTSD symptoms and produced a more rapid decline in diurnal salivary cortisol in women veterans at risk for cardiovascular disease. No significant group differences or changes over time were found in the inflammatory markers IL-6 or IFN-γ. |
Abstract
Women veterans experience higher levels of stress-related symptoms than their civilian counterparts. Psychological stress is associated with greater inflammation and may increase risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found to improve psychological well-being in other populations but no randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been conducted examining the impact of MBSR on well-being and inflammation in women veterans at risk for CVD. Determine the effectiveness of MBSR in improving psychological well-being, cortisol, and inflammation associated with CVD in women veterans. The design is a RCT comparing MBSR to an active control condition (ACC) consisting of a health education program. Women veterans (N=164) with risk factors for CVD from the Chicagoland area participated in the study. An 8-week MBSR program with weekly 2.5-h classes was compared to an ACC consisting of an 8-week health promotion education program with weekly 2.5-h classes. The outcomes were psychological well-being [perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] symptoms and stress-related markers, including diurnal salivary cortisol and cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks (mid-point of intervention), 8 weeks (completion of intervention), and 6 months after completion of MBSR or ACC. Compared to the ACC, women who participated in MBSR reported less perceived stress, loneliness, and symptoms of PTSD. Although there were no significant differences between groups or changes over time in IL-6 or IFN-γ, participants in the MBSR program demonstrated a more rapid decline in diurnal salivary cortisol as compared to those in the ACC. MBSR was found to improve psychological well-being and decrease diurnal salivary cortisol in women veterans at risk for CVD. Health care providers may consider MBSR for women veterans as a means by which to improve their psychological well-being.
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
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on depression, PTSD, and mindfulness among military veterans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Open 2024
- Exploring the effects of mindfulness meditation on resting-state functional connectivity: an overview. Reviews in the Neurosciences June 3, 2026
Cites 22
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- Mindfulness meditation alleviates depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia: Results of a randomized clinical trial Arthritis Care & Research January 31, 2007
- Examining mindfulness-based stress reduction: Perceptions from minority older adults residing in a low-income housing facility BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine May 31, 2011
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction for Military Cadets on Perceived Stress Psychological Reports August 1, 2022
and 17 more in the library