Reduction in salivary α-amylase levels following a mind-body intervention in cancer survivors--an exploratory study.
David L. Lipschitz, Renee Kuhn, Anita Y Kinney, Gary W Donaldson, Yoshio Nakamura
Psychoneuroendocrinology February 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.12.021 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 57 |
| Population | Female and male cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance |
| Interventions | Sleep Hygiene Education Mind-Body Bridging Mindfulness Meditation |
| Duration | Three sessions, once per week for three consecutive weeks; follow-up 1 week after the last session |
| Measures | salivary alpha-amylase, salivary cortisol, sleep scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Sympathetic nervous system Humans Neoplasms Dyssomnias Hydrocortisone Treatment outcome Psychophysiology Wakefulness Adolescent Middle aged Survivors Self-help groups Female Mind-body therapies Salivary alpha-amylases Young adult Biomarkers Stress Salivary cortisol Cancer survivor Sleep disturbance Salivary α-amylase Mind–body intervention |
| Key findings | Waking salivary alpha-amylase levels declined in the Mind-Body Bridging group compared with Sleep Hygiene Education, while waking cortisol did not differ among groups but declined slightly with Sleep Hygiene Education. Self-reported sleep improved across all three interventions, with the largest improvements in Mind-Body Bridging. The authors suggest these findings indicate a possible positive influence of Mind-Body Bridging on sympathetic activity. |
Abstract
Objective: The main aim of this exploratory study was to assess whether salivary α-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol levels would be positively modulated by sleep-focused mind-body interventions in female and male cancer survivors.
Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which 57 cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance received either a Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE; n=18) control, or one of two experimental mind-body interventions, namely, Mind-Body Bridging (MBB; n=19) or Mindfulness Meditation (MM; n=20). Interventions were three sessions each conducted once per week for three consecutive weeks. Saliva cortisol and sAA were measured at baseline and 1 week after the last session. Participants also completed a sleep scale at the same time points when saliva was collected for biomarker measurement.
Results: Our study revealed that at post-intervention assessment, mean sAA levels upon awakening ("Waking" sample) declined in MBB compared with that of SHE. Mean Waking cortisol levels did not differ among treatment groups but declined slightly in SHE. Self-reported sleep improved across the three interventions at Post-assessment, with largest improvements in the MBB intervention.
Conclusion: In this exploratory study, sleep focused mind-body intervention (MBB) attenuated Waking sAA levels, suggesting positive influences of a mind-body intervention on sympathetic activity in cancer survivors with sleep disturbance.
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 14
- The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on symptom burden, positive psychological outcomes, and biomarkers in cancer patients Cancer Management and Research June 1, 2015
- Trends in waking salivary alpha-amylase levels following healing lucid dreams. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Salivary Cortisol and α-amylase Level, Anxiety and Depression in Students: A Randomized and Parallel-Group Clinical Trial. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback July 22, 2025
- Trends in Waking Salivary Alpha-Amylase Levels Following Healing Lucid Dreams PsyArXiv January 9, 2024
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on dental anxiety during implant surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial Scientific Reports December 7, 2023
and 9 more in the library
Cites 13
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Investigating efficacy of two brief mind–body intervention programs for managing sleep disturbance in cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial Journal of Cancer Survivorship January 21, 2013
- Mindfulness based stress reduction in post-treatment breast cancer patients: an examination of symptoms and symptom clusters. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2012
and 8 more in the library