Mindfulness practice predicts interleukin-6 responses to a mindfulness-based alcohol relapse prevention intervention.
Andrew S. Mcclintock, Simon B. Goldberg, Christopher L Coe, Aleksandra Zgierska
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment August 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.07.018 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Alcohol-dependent adults (mean age 43.4 years, 63.9% male, 93.1% White) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Alcohol-related disorders Recurrence Interleukin-6 Adult Female Inflammation |
| Key findings | IL-6 concentrations did not significantly change from pre- to post-intervention for the full sample, but greater mindfulness practice time was significantly associated with reduced IL-6 levels (r = -0.27), even after controlling for intervention timing, demographics, and changes in mindful awareness, obsessive-compulsive drinking, and depressive symptoms. The association was not significant when the minimum treatment dose requirement was omitted. The authors suggest that engagement in mindfulness training may predict changes in inflammatory pathophysiology in adults with alcohol dependence. |
Abstract
Chronic alcohol misuse can result in chronically elevated interleukin (IL)-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in the bloodstream. Given that Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) has been shown to reduce alcohol misuse, MBRP might also be effective in reducing IL-6 concentrations. Past research has found, however, that IL-6 does not respond consistently to mindfulness-based interventions. Building on prior studies, we examined whether between-person variability in engagement with mindfulness training (i.e., formal mindfulness practice time) is associated with between-person variability in changes in serum IL-6, using data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating MBRP for Alcohol Dependence (MBRP-A). Participants were 72 alcohol dependent adults (mean age = 43.4 years, 63.9% male, 93.1% White) who received a minimum dose (i.e., at least four sessions) of MBRP-A either at the start of the trial (n = 46) or after a 26-week delay (n = 26). IL-6 concentrations did not significantly change from pre- to post-intervention for the full sample. Nevertheless, greater mindfulness practice time was significantly associated with reduced IL-6 levels (r = -0.27). The association between practice time and IL-6 changes remained significant when controlling for intervention timing (i.e., immediate or after the 26-week delay), demographic characteristics, and changes in mindful awareness, obsessive-compulsive drinking, and depressive symptoms. The association between practice time and IL-6 changes was not significant when omitting the minimum treatment dose requirement. Overall, results suggest that the level of engagement in mindfulness training may predict changes in the inflammatory pathophysiology in adults with alcohol dependence.
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 4
- Effects of Meditation and Yoga on Anxiety, Depression and Chronic Inflammation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2025
- Only Small Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Biomarker Levels of Inflammation and Stress: A Preregistered Systematic Review and Two Three-Level Meta-Analyses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences February 23, 2023
- Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction to improve attentional control in older adults (HealthyAgers trial). BMC Geriatrics August 13, 2022
- Mindfulness interventions for offsetting health risk following early life stress: Promising directions. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health August 26, 2021
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and 13 more in the library