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The effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on wound healing: a preliminary study.

Astrid Meesters, Yvo M C In Den Bosch-Meevissen, Chantal A H Weijzen, Wim A Buurman, Mario Losen, Jan Schepers, Monique R T M Thissen, Hugo J. E. M. Alberts, Casper G Schalkwijk, Madelon L Peters

Journal of Behavioral Medicine June 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-017-9901-8 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 49
Population Adults
Intervention Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Duration 8-week intervention; wound assessments at days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 after injury; exudate measured at 3, 6, and 22 hours after wounding
Measures skin permeability, wound size, interleukin (IL)-8, placental growth factor
Topics Meditation
Keywords Cytokine Growth factor Inflammation Intervention Wound healing
Key findings MBSR showed no overall effect on skin permeability or wound size, but post hoc analyses indicated that greater increases in mindfulness were related to greater reductions in skin permeability 3 and 4 days after wound induction, and MBSR was associated with lower interleukin-8 and placental growth factor levels in wound fluid at 22 hours. The authors suggest these outcomes indicate MBSR might benefit early wound healing.

Abstract

Psychological factors have been shown to influence the process of wound healing. This study examined the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on the speed of wound healing. The local production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors was studied as potential underlying mechanism. Forty-nine adults were randomly allocated to a waiting-list control group (n = 26) or an 8-week MBSR group (n = 23). Pre- and post-intervention/waiting period assessment for both groups consisted of questionnaires. Standardized skin wounds were induced on the forearm using a suction blister method. Primary outcomes were skin permeability and reduction in wound size monitored once a day at day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 after injury. Secondary outcomes were cytokines and growth factors and were measured in wound exudates obtained at 3, 6, and 22 h after wounding. Although there was no overall condition effect on skin permeability or wound size, post hoc analyses indicated that larger increases in mindfulness were related to greater reductions in skin permeability 3 and 4 days after wound induction. In addition, MBSR was associated with lower levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and placental growth factor in the wound fluid 22 h after wound induction. These outcomes suggest that increasing mindfulness by MBSR might have beneficial effects on early stages of wound healing. Trial Registration NTR3652, http://www.trialregister.nl.

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

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