Meditation or exercise for preventing acute respiratory infection (MEPARI-2): A randomized controlled trial.
Bruce P. Barrett, Mary S Hayney, Daniel Müller, David Rakel, Roger L Brown, Aleksandra Zgierska, Shari Barlow, Supriya Hayer, Jodi H Barnet, Elisa Torres, Christopher L Coe
PLoS One 2018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197778 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled prevention trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 413 |
| Population | Community-recruited adults in Madison, Wisconsin, who did not regularly exercise or meditate |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Moderate intensity sustained exercise |
| Duration | 8-week training with weekly ARI surveillance through May |
| Measures | WURSS-24, multiplex PCR |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT01654289 |
| Key findings | MBSR was associated with fewer ARI episodes (112 vs 134 in controls) and exercise with lower mean global severity (256 vs 336), but neither comparison met the prespecified p<0.025 threshold. The authors conclude that mindfulness meditation or exercise training may help protect against ARI illness and that the trial was likely underpowered. |
Abstract
Practice of meditation or exercise may enhance health to protect against acute infectious illness. To assess preventive effects of meditation and exercise on acute respiratory infection (ARI) illness. Randomized controlled prevention trial with three parallel groups. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Community-recruited adults who did not regularly exercise or meditate. 1) 8-week behavioral training in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR); 2) matched 8-week training in moderate intensity sustained exercise (EX); or 3) observational waitlist control. Training classes occurred in September and October, with weekly ARI surveillance through May. Incidence, duration, and area-under-curve ARI global severity were measured using daily reports on the WURSS-24 during ARI illness. Viruses were identified multiplex PCR. Absenteeism, health care utilization, and psychosocial health self-report assessments were also employed. Of 413 participants randomized, 390 completed the trial. In the MBSR group, 74 experienced 112 ARI episodes with 1045 days of ARI illness. Among exercisers, 84 had 120 episodes totaling 1010 illness days. Eighty-two of the controls had 134 episodes with 1210 days of ARI illness. Mean global severity was 315 for MBSR (95% confidence interval 244, 386), 256 (193, 318) for EX, and 336 (268, 403) for controls. A prespecified multivariate zero-inflated regression model suggested reduced incidence for MBSR (p = 0.036) and lower global severity for EX (p = 0.042), compared to control, not quite attaining the p<0.025 prespecified cut-off for null hypothesis rejection. There were 73 ARI-related missed-work days and 22 ARI-related health care visits in the MBSR group, 82 days and 21 visits for exercisers, and 105 days and 24 visits among controls. Viruses were identified in 63 ARI episodes in the MBSR group, compared to 64 for EX and 72 for control. Statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in general mental health, self-efficacy, mindful attention, sleep quality, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were observed in the MBSR and/or EX groups, compared to control. Training in mindfulness meditation or exercise may help protect against ARI illness. This trial was likely underpowered. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01654289.
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 3
- Individual participant data systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing adult mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in non-clinical settings. Nature Mental Health July 10, 2023
- Improving cancer patients' prognosis by incorporating mindfulness intervention into the treatment strategy. World Journal of Psychiatry May 19, 2025
- Mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in adults in nonclinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PLoS Medicine January 11, 2021
Cites 8
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: A review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2016
and 3 more in the library