Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on biomarkers in healthy and cancer populations: a systematic review.
Kenji Sanada, Marta Alda Díez, Montserrat Salas Valero, Maria C Perez-Yus, Marcelo Demarzo, Jesus Montero-Marin, Mauro Garcia-Toro, Javier García-campayo
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine February 23, 2017 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1638-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,110 |
| Population | Healthy subjects and cancer patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Biomarkers C-reactive protein Cytokines Interleukins Mindfulness-based interventions Neuropeptides |
| Key findings | In healthy people, MBIs showed no effect on cytokines but appeared to raise IGF-1 levels, with possible benefits for stress recovery and CRP in lower-BMI individuals; in cancer patients, MBIs seemed to affect cytokine levels, possibly increasing IL-4 and decreasing IFN-γ, though the specific cytokines could not be determined. The authors describe the evidence as preliminary and call for additional randomized controlled trials. |
Abstract
Only a small number of articles have investigated the relationship between mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and biomarkers. The aim of this systematic review was to study the effect of MBIs on specific biomarkers (cytokines, neuropeptides and C-reactive protein (CRP)) in both healthy subjects and cancer patients. A search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane library between 1980 and September 2016. A total of 13 studies with 1110 participants were included. In the healthy population, MBIs had no effect on cytokines, but were found to increase the levels of the neuropeptide insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). With respect to neuropeptide Y, despite the absence of post-intervention differences, MBIs may enhance recovery from stress. With regard to CRP, MBIs could be effective in lower Body Mass Index (BMI) individuals. In cancer patients, MBIs seem to have some effect on cytokine levels, although it was not possible to determine which specific cytokines were affected. One possibility is that MBIs might aid recovery of the immune system, increasing the production of interleukin (IL)-4 and decreasing interferon gamma (IFN-γ). MBIs may be involved in changes from a depressive/carcinogenic profile to a more normalized one. However, given the complexity and different contexts of the immune system, and the fact that this investigation is still in its preliminary stage, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to further establish the impact of MBI programmes on biomarkers in both clinical and non-clinical populations.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Into the Moment: Does Mindfulness Affect Biological Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis? Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience May 22, 2018
- 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
- Effects of mindfulness training on quality of life and well-being in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Aging & Mental Health April 12, 2025
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Addiction Symptoms: Does Neuroplasticity Play a Role? Brain Sciences March 27, 2024
- Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Perceived Stress, Somatic Symptoms and Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Clinical Nurses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 2026
and 11 more in the library
Cites 17
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Effects of Low-Dose Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR-ld) on Working Adults Health Education & Behavior May 9, 2008
- Alterations in Resting-State Functional Connectivity Link Mindfulness Meditation With Reduced Interleukin-6: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Biological Psychiatry July 1, 2016
- The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Primary Care: A Meta-Analytic Review. Annals of family medicine November 1, 2015
and 12 more in the library