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Conklin QA, Zanesco AP, King BG, Epel ES, Saron CD. Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1345527. [PMID: 38863930 PMCID: PMC11165068 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1345527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Given its putative roles in mediating prosocial behavior, attachment bonds, and stress physiology, oxytocin modulation has been hypothesized to be a biological correlate of the salubrious effects of meditation practice. Here we investigated the effects of a month-long silent meditation retreat on changes in oxytocin, and the related hormone and vasopressin, in relation to psychosocial changes in attachment style, anxiety, personality measures, and feelings of social connectedness with fellow meditators. Methods Plasma oxytocin and vasopressin and self-report questionnaires were measured in retreat participants (n = 28) at the beginning of, and 3 weeks into, a residential meditation retreat. Control participants (n = 34), who were similar in age, gender, and meditation experience, were also assessed across a 3-week interval. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess outcomes. Results The retreat group showed a small but significant decrease in oxytocin compared to controls who showed no change. In the retreat group, higher openness to experience at Time 1 predicted greater reductions in oxytocin during the retreat, and lower oxytocin at Time 2 was related to stronger feelings of personal connection with fellow meditators. The changes in oxytocin were not related to attachment style or anxiety. Vasopressin decreased over time across both groups, suggesting no specific effect of retreat. Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that meditation training in the context of a silent residential retreat may reduce circulating levels of oxytocin. We interpret this finding from multiple theoretical perspectives, discussing key measurement limitations and proposing future study designs that may help to differentiate the effects of different meditation practices and contexts on oxytocin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn A. Conklin
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Anthony P. Zanesco
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Brandon G. King
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Clifford D. Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Nelson S, Mitcheson M, Nestor B, Bosquet Enlow M, Borsook D. Biomarkers of stress as mind-body intervention outcomes for chronic pain: an evaluation of constructs and accepted measurement. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00566. [PMID: 38564185 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nelson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Morgan Mitcheson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bridget Nestor
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David Borsook
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Campisi M, Cannella L, Celik D, Gabelli C, Gollin D, Simoni M, Ruaro C, Fantinato E, Pavanello S. Mitigating cellular aging and enhancing cognitive functionality: visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy in neurocognitive disorders. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1354025. [PMID: 38524114 PMCID: PMC10957554 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1354025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing phenomenon of population aging is redefining demographic dynamics, intensifying age-related conditions, especially dementia, projected to triple by 2050 with an enormous global economic burden. This study investigates visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy (CAT) as a non-pharmacological CAT intervention targets both biological aging [leukocyte telomere length (LTL), DNA methylation age (DNAmAge)] and cognitive functionality. Aligning with a broader trend of integrating non-pharmacological approaches into dementia care. The longitudinal study involved 20 patients with mild to moderate neurocognitive disorders. Cognitive and functional assessments, and biological aging markers -i.e., LTL and DNAmAge- were analyzed before and after CAT intervention. Change in LTL was positively correlated with days of treatment (p =0.0518). LTL significantly elongated after intervention (p =0.0269), especially in men (p =0.0142), correlating with younger age (p =0.0357), and higher education (p =0.0008). DNAmAge remained instead stable post-treatment. Cognitive and functional improvements were observed for Copy of complex geometric figure, Progressive Silhouettes, Position Discrimination, Communication Activities of Daily Living-Second edition, Direct Functional Status (p < 0.0001) and Object decision (p =0.0594), but no correlations were found between LTL and cognitive gains. Visual arts-mediated CAT effectively mitigates cellular aging, especially in men, by elongating LTL. These findings underscore the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in enhancing cognitive and functional status and general well-being in dementia care. Further research with larger and longer-term studies is essential for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Campisi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luana Cannella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Dilek Celik
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Gabelli
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Donata Gollin
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Simoni
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Ruaro
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Fantinato
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sofia Pavanello
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Campisi M, Cannella L, Pavanello S. Cosmic chronometers: Is spaceflight a catalyst for biological ageing? Ageing Res Rev 2024; 95:102227. [PMID: 38346506 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Astronauts returning from space missions often exhibit health issues mirroring age-related conditions, suggesting spaceflight as a potential driver of biological ageing and age-related diseases. To unravel the underlying mechanisms of these conditions, this comprehensive review explores the impact of the space "exposome" on the twelve hallmarks of ageing. Through a meticulous analysis encompassing both space environments and terrestrial analogs, we aim to decipher how different conditions influence ageing hallmarks. Utilizing PubMed, we identified 189 studies and 60 meet screening criteria. Research on biological ageing in space has focused on genomic instability, chronic inflammation, and deregulated nutrient sensing. Spaceflight consistently induces genomic instability, linked to prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation, triggers pro-inflammatory and immune alterations, resembling conditions in isolated simulations. Nutrient sensing pathways reveal increased systemic insulin-like growth-factor-1. Microbiome studies indicate imbalances favoring opportunistic species during spaceflight. Telomere dynamics present intriguing patterns, with lengthening during missions and rapid shortening upon return. Despite a pro-ageing trend, some protective mechanisms emerge. Countermeasures, encompassing dietary adjustments, prebiotics, postbiotics, symbiotics, tailored exercises, meditation, and anti-inflammatory supplements, exhibit potential. Spaceflight's impact on ageing is intricate, with diverse findings challenging established beliefs. Multidisciplinary studies provide guidance for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Campisi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luana Cannella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sofia Pavanello
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Diez GG, Martin-Subero I, Zangri RM, Kulis M, Andreu C, Blanco I, Roca P, Cuesta P, García C, Garzón J, Herradón C, Riutort M, Baliyan S, Venero C, Vázquez C. Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283169. [PMID: 37976257 PMCID: PMC10656013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The main objective of the study will be to evaluate the effects of two widely used standardized mindfulness-based programs [Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT)], on epigenetic, neurobiological, psychological, and physiological variables. METHODS The programs will be offered in an intensive retreat format in a general population sample of healthy volunteer adults. During a 7-day retreat, participants will receive MBSR and CCT in a crossover design where participants complete both programs in random order. After finishing their first 3-day training with one of the two programs, participants will be assigned to the second 3-day training with the second program. The effects of the MBSR and CCT programs, and their combination, will be measured by epigenetic changes (i.e., DNA methylation biomarkers), neurobiological and psychophysiological measures (i.e., EEG resting state, EKG, respiration patterns, and diurnal cortisol slopes), self-report questionnaires belonging to different psychological domains (i.e., mindfulness, compassion, well-being, distress, and general functioning), and stress tasks (i.e., an Arithmetic Stress Test and the retrieval of negative autobiographical memories). These measures will be collected from both groups on the mornings of day 1 (pre-program), day 4 (after finishing the first program and before beginning the second program), and day 7 (post-second program). We will conduct a 3-month and a 12-month follow-up using only the set of self-report measures. DISCUSSION This study aims to shed light on the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms linked to meditation and compassion in the general population. The protocol was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05516355; August 23, 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo G. Diez
- Nirakara/Lab, Madrid, Spain
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rosaria M. Zangri
- School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Catherine Andreu
- Polibienestar Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ivan Blanco
- School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Roca
- Nirakara/Lab, Madrid, Spain
- School of Psychology, Villanueva University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Cuesta
- School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carola García
- Nirakara/Lab, Madrid, Spain
- Mindfulness Vivendi, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Shishir Baliyan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, UNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - César Venero
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, UNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmelo Vázquez
- Nirakara/Lab, Madrid, Spain
- School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Aghajanyan V, Bhupathy S, Sheikh S, Nausheen F. A Narrative Review of Telomere Length Modulation Through Diverse Yoga and Meditation Styles: Current Insights and Prospective Avenues. Cureus 2023; 15:e46130. [PMID: 37900433 PMCID: PMC10612486 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness practices have demonstrated the potential to positively impact various aspects of human health associated with telomere length (TL) - a recognized marker of healthy aging and susceptibility to age-related diseases. This review seeks to conduct an in-depth comparative analysis, examining methodological variations, outcome assessments, strengths, weaknesses, and gaps across mindfulness-focused studies concerning TL and attrition rates. While emerging data tentatively suggest a positive connection between mindfulness practices and TL, a notable research gap pertains to establishing the clinically recommended dosage of yoga/meditation and mindfulness interventions to effectively influence TL. To address this gap, upcoming research should prioritize meticulous structuring, pedagogical precision, and vigilant monitoring of mindfulness interventions to yield psychological and physiological benefits across an appropriate timeframe and intensity. The amalgamation of yoga/meditation or mindfulness emerges as a promising avenue for enhancing the quality of life while counteracting the influence of telomere attrition in the spectrum of age-related diseases. The core objective of this review is to meticulously investigate the interplay between yoga/meditation and mindfulness practices and their potential impact on TL - an essential biomarker indicative of age-related health and well-being. To achieve this, our study methodically compares various methodological approaches, outcome measures, strengths, and limitations within relevant research endeavors focused on TL and attrition rates. Through this scrutiny, we highlight prevailing research gaps. Our analysis underscores the need for comprehensive research efforts aimed at establishing the optimal therapeutic regimen for yielding significant clinical effects on TL and overall health. In summation, our exploration emphasizes the urgency of further studies to unravel the most effective approaches for positively influencing TL and its implications for holistic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahe Aghajanyan
- Medical Education, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, USA
| | - Supriya Bhupathy
- Medical Education, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, USA
| | - Shazia Sheikh
- Medical Education, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, USA
| | - Fauzia Nausheen
- Education, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, USA
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7
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Dasanayaka NN, Sirisena ND, Samaranayake N. Associations of meditation with telomere dynamics: a case-control study in healthy adults. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1222863. [PMID: 37519381 PMCID: PMC10380951 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1222863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Telomeres are protective end caps of chromosomes which naturally shorten with each cell division and thus with age. Short telomeres have been associated with many age-related diseases. Meditation has come to the fore as a mind-body practice which could influence the telomere dynamics underlying these phenomena. We previously reported meditation to be associated with higher telomerase levels, mindfulness and quality of life. Here, reporting on the same study population, we describe associations between long-term meditation and telomere length (TL), expression of hTERT and hTR genes and methylation of the promoter region of hTERT gene. Methods Thirty healthy meditators and matched non-meditators were recruited. TL was measured using quantitative PCR, gene expression was assessed using reverse transcriptase PCR, and methylation level was quantified by bisulfite-specific PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Comparisons between meditators and controls were carried out using t-tests, while Pearson correlation was used to identify correlations, and regression was used to identify predictors. Results Males comprised 63.4% of each group with an average age of 43 years. On average, they had meditated daily for 5.82 h (±3.45) for 6.8 years (±3.27). Meditators had longer relative TLs (p = 0.020), and TL decreased with age (p < 0.001) but was not associated with other socio-demographic variables. Regression analysis showed that age (p < 0.001) and duration of meditation (p = 0.003) significantly predicted TL. The meditators showed higher relative expression of hTERT (p = 0.020) and hTR (p = 0.029) genes while the methylation level of the promoter region of hTERT gene was significantly lower when compared to non-meditators (p < 0.001). Negative correlations were identified between the methylation level of the promoter region of hTERT gene and the expression of the hTERT gene (p = 0.001) and duration of meditation (p = 0.001). Conclusion The findings suggest that meditation as a lifestyle practice has multi-level beneficial effects on telomere dynamics with potential to promote healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirodhi Namika Dasanayaka
- Research Promotion and Facilitation Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nirmala Dushyanthi Sirisena
- Department of Anatomy, Genetics & Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nilakshi Samaranayake
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Thakur M, Patil Y, Philip ST, Hamdule T, Thimmapuram J, Vyas N, Thakur K. Impact of Heartfulness meditation practice on anxiety, perceived stress, well-being, and telomere length. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1158760. [PMID: 37342644 PMCID: PMC10278541 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1158760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Exhaustion, stress, and burnout have all been found to be reduced using techniques like yoga and meditation. This study was carried out to check the effectiveness of Heartfulness practice (a form of meditation) on certain psychological and genetic variables. Methods A total of 100 healthy individuals (aged 18-24) were recruited and randomized into two groups-Heartfulness intervention and control group. The intervention was carried out for 03 months. Participants from both groups were analysed for their cortisol levels and telomere length before and after the intervention. Psychometric measures of anxiety, perceived stress, well-being and mindfulness were carried out using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), WHO-Well-being Index (WHO-WBI) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Results The cortisol levels in the meditators group significantly decreased (p < 0.001) after the intervention as compared to the non-meditators group, whereas, the telomere length increased in the mediators group. This increase was not significant (p > 0.05). Anxiety and perceived stress also decreased post intervention, and well-being as well as mindfulness increased, as assessed by the questionnaire tools, although the decrease in perceived stress was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). A negative correlation was observed between telomere length and cortisol (stress biomarker), whereas a positive correlation was found between telomere length and well-being. Conclusion Our data provide evidence that Heartfulness meditation practice can improve our mental health. Additionally, telomere length is shown to be affected by cortisol levels, and this meditation practice can also help to increase telomere length, and thereby slow down cellular aging. However, future studies with larger sample size are required to confirm our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansee Thakur
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Central Research Laboratory, Mahatma Gandhi Mission School of Biomedical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Mission Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Yogesh Patil
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Central Research Laboratory, Mahatma Gandhi Mission School of Biomedical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Mission Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Sanjana T. Philip
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Central Research Laboratory, Mahatma Gandhi Mission School of Biomedical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Mission Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Tahreem Hamdule
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Central Research Laboratory, Mahatma Gandhi Mission School of Biomedical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Mission Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Jayaram Thimmapuram
- Department of Internal Medicine, Well Span York Hospital, York, PA, United States
| | | | - Kapil Thakur
- SRCM Heartfulness Meditation Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
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Sheikh-Wu SF, Liang Z, Downs CA. The Relationship Between Telomeres, Cognition, Mood, and Physical Function: A Systematic Review. Biol Res Nurs 2023; 25:227-239. [PMID: 36222081 DOI: 10.1177/10998004221132287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms and alterations in their function are seen across chronic illnesses. Data suggest that environmental, psychological, and physiological factors contribute to symptom experience, potentially through loss of telomeres (telomere attrition), structures at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is affected by many factors including environmental (e.g., exercise, diet, smoking) and physiological (e.g., response to stress), as well as from oxidative damage and inflammation that occurs in many disease processes. Moreover, telomere attrition is associated with chronic disease (cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease) and predicts higher morbidity and mortality rates. However, findings are inconsistent among telomere roles and relationships with health outcomes. This article aims to synthesize the current state-of-the-science of telomeres and their relationship with cognitive, affective, and physical function and symptoms. Method: A comprehensive literature search was performed in two databases: CINAHL and PUBMED. A total of 33 articles published between 2000 and 2022 were included in the final analysis. Results: Telomere attrition is associated with various changes in cognitive, affective, and physical function and symptoms. However, findings are inconsistent. Interventional studies (e.g., meditation and exercise) may affect telomere attrition, potentially impacting health outcomes. Conclusion: Nursing research and practice are at the forefront of furthering the understanding of telomeres and their relationships with cognitive, affective, and physical function and symptoms. Future interventions targeting modifiable risk factors may be developed to improve health outcomes across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhan Liang
- 5452University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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10
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Zahir FR. Epigenomic impacts of meditative practices. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1593-1608. [PMID: 36891912 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Meditative practices (MPs) are an inherent lifestyle and healing practice employed in Eastern medicine and spirituality. Integrating MPs into world mainstream medicine (WMM) requires effective empirical investigation of psychophysiological impacts. Epigenomic regulation is a probable mechanism of action that is empirically assessable. Recently, WMM-styled studies have screened the epigenomic impacts of MPs with early encouraging results. This article discusses the variety of MPs extant across three major Eastern religio-spiritual-healing traditions and their integration into WMM via the lens of epigenomic modulation. MPs unanimously report positive impacts on stress-reduction pathways, known to be epigenomically sensitive. Early high-resolution assays show MPs are potent in altering the epigenome - dynamically and by inducing long-term changes. This suggests the importance of integrating MPs into WMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah R Zahir
- Irfa'a Foundation, 5063 North Service Road, Burlington, ON, L7L 5H6 Canada
- Departent of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1 Canada
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11
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Sung MK, Koh E, Kang Y, Lee JH, Park JY, Kim JY, Shin SY, Kim YH, Setou N, Lee US, Yang HJ. Three months-longitudinal changes in relative telomere length, blood chemistries, and self-report questionnaires in meditation practitioners compared to novice individuals during midlife. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30930. [PMID: 36254044 PMCID: PMC9575785 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging accelerates during midlife. Researches have shown the health benefits of mind-body intervention (MBI). However, whether MBI is involved with aging process has not been well understood. In this study, we approach to examine the relations of MBI with this process by investigating an aging marker of the peripheral blood, blood chemistry, and self-report questionnaires. A quasi-experimental design was applied. Experienced MBI practitioners participated in a 3-month intensive meditation training, while the age, gender-matched MBI-naïve controls led a normal daily life. Measurements were taken at before and after the 3 months for relative telomere length (RTL), blood chemistry, and self-report questionnaires including items about sleep quality, somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, emotional intelligence (EI), and self-regulation. For RTL, the repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant group*time interaction (P = .013) with a significant post hoc result (P = .030) within the control group: RTL was significantly reduced in the control while it was maintained in the meditation group. In repeated measures analysis of variance for blood chemistries, there were significant group differences between the groups in glucose and total protein. In the post hoc comparison analysis, at post measurements, the meditation group exhibited significantly lower values than the control group in both glucose and total protein. There were significant group-wise differences in the correlations of RTL with triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Any of self-report results did not show significant changes in group*time interaction. However, there were group differences with significant (P < .05) or a tendency (.05 < P < .1) level. There were significant improvements in depression, stress and EI as well as tendencies of improvement in sleep quality and anxiety, in the meditation group compared to the control group. Our results suggest that meditation practice may have a potential to modify aging process in molecular cellular level combined with changes in psychological dimension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugene Koh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratories, Singapore
| | | | - Jin-Hee Lee
- Department of Integrative Health Care, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Park
- Department of Integrative Health Care, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So-Young Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeon-Hee Kim
- Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea
| | - Noriko Setou
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Ul Soon Lee
- Department of Brain Education Convergence, Global Cyber University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Jeong Yang
- Korea Institute of Brain Science, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Integrative Health Care, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Korea
- Department of Integrative Biosciences, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Korea
- *Correspondence: Hyun-Jeong Yang, Korea Institute of Brain Science, Seoul 06022, Korea (e-mail: )
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Álvarez-López MJ, Conklin QA, Cosín-Tomás M, Shields GS, King BG, Zanesco AP, Kaliman P, Saron CD. Changes in the expression of inflammatory and epigenetic-modulatory genes after an intensive meditation retreat. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 11:100152. [PMID: 35818436 PMCID: PMC9270205 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Meditation retreats are characterized by intensive or concentrated periods of meditation practice, commonly undertaken in a residential setting. Although research indicates that meditation training can positively influence physical and mental health outcomes, the biological consequences of meditation retreat interventions are relatively understudied. In this study, we examined the influence of a month-long, silent meditation retreat on the expression of genes involved in epigenetic modulation and immune processes. Method We assessed gene expression changes in experienced meditators attending a month-long Insight meditation retreat (n = 28), as compared to a community control group (n = 34) of experienced practitioners living their everyday lives. Blood samples were collected on day two of the retreat (Time 1) and again 3 weeks later (Time 2). Control participants were also assessed across a 3-week interval, during which they maintained their regular daily routines. Results As compared to controls, retreat participants showed differential changes in the expression of several genes involved in chromatin modulation and inflammation. The most substantive finding was downregulation of the TNF pathway in retreat participants, which was not observed in controls. Conclusions These findings indicate that meditation retreat participation may influence some of the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the development of chronic diseases, and that this style of psychosocial intervention may have therapeutic potential, particularly in experienced practitioners. Meditation retreat downregulated the TNF-a pathway, indicating lower inflammation. Retreat was associated with gene expression patterns consistent with lower inflammation. Retreats may offer a nonpharmacological approach to reducing inflammation.
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13
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Aviv A. The telomere tumult: meaning and metrics in population studies. THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2022; 3:e308-e309. [PMID: 35910300 PMCID: PMC9337717 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(22)00094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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14
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A short Mindfulness retreat can improve biological markers of stress and inflammation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105579. [PMID: 34775250 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mindfulness practice, a form of meditation, has shown benefit for psychological and physical health. In this study, we investigated the effect of an intensive period of Mindfulness practice on some biological mediators of stress and inflammation during a 3-day residential retreat. METHODS A total of 95 healthy individuals (aged 18-67) were recruited and randomized to a Mindfulness retreat arm or an active control arm. Before (t0) and after (t1) the intervention, all the participants were assessed for salivary cortisol levels and for a panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines measured in saliva. Psychometric measures on stress, anxiety and awareness were carried out using PSS, STAI-Y and MAAS questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS As to the within-group differences, we observed a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress (β = -8.85, p < 0.0001), and anxiety scores (β = -12.39, p < 0.0001), while awareness increased (β = 15.26, p < 0.0001) between t0 to t1 in retreat participants. In the mindfulness intervention group, we also observed a statistically significant reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (β = -0.94 p = 0.001) and IL-8 (β = -176.40, p < 0.0001), and an increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10 (β = 0.89 p < 0.0001) levels at the end of the retreat. At t1 we observed a highly significant correlation between cortisol levels and both anxiety (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001) and perceived stress (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001) scores. CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness retreat participants showed a significant reduction in perceived stress and anxiety levels, as well as an improved balance of some key mediators of inflammatory states. Our data provide evidence that a mindfulness retreat may be effective in improving physical and mental health. Future studies with larger numbers of subjects and follow-up periods may examine mindfulness practice as a non-pharmacological alternative to promote stress reduction and overall health and wellbeing.
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15
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Fritz MM, Walsh LC, Cole SW, Epel E, Lyubomirsky S. Kindness and cellular aging: A pre-registered experiment testing the effects of prosocial behavior on telomere length and well-being. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 11:100187. [PMID: 34589726 PMCID: PMC8474583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Prosocial behavior can improve psychological well-being and physical health. However, the underlying biological mechanisms that mediate the relationship between prosociality and health remain unclear. In this pre-registered experiment, we tested whether a 4-week kindness intervention could slow leukocyte telomere shortening and increase well-being. Methods Community adults (N = 230) were randomly assigned to complete 1 of 3 activities, each week for 4 weeks: to perform 3 kind acts for other people, to perform 3 kind acts for themselves, or to list daily activities. At baseline and post-intervention, participants came to the lab to provide a small dried blood spot (DBS) sample via finger prick for analysis of telomere length. Participants completed psychological measures (e.g., loneliness, life satisfaction) at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 2-week follow up. Results Participants who performed kind acts for others did not demonstrate hypothesized changes in well-being, nor in telomere length, relative to controls. Exploratory analyses revealed that, relative to controls, participants who did kind acts for others showed reductions in loneliness through the 2-week follow up. Conclusions The salubrious effects of prosocial behavior in the short term are not likely due to the inhibition of cellular aging (at least as indexed by telomere length). However, extending kindness to others holds promise as a future research direction for interventions to alleviate loneliness. Prosocial behavior is associated with better health, but mechanisms remain unclear. We report a pre-registered investigation of prosocial behavior and telomere length. A 4-week prosocial behavior intervention did not slow rates of telomere shortening. Performing prosocial behavior for others was linked with reductions in loneliness. Prosocial behavior may reduce loneliness but does not appear to impact telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Fritz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Lisa C Walsh
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Steven W Cole
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elissa Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sonja Lyubomirsky
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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16
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Daily Oral Supplementation with 60 mg of Elemental Iron for 12 Weeks Alters Blood Mitochondrial DNA Content, but Not Leukocyte Telomere Length in Cambodian Women. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13061877. [PMID: 34072630 PMCID: PMC8227094 DOI: 10.3390/nu13061877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is limited evidence regarding the potential risk of untargeted iron supplementation, especially among individuals who are iron-replete or have genetic hemoglobinopathies. Excess iron exposure can increase the production of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to cellular damage. We evaluated the effect of daily oral supplementation on relative leukocyte telomere length (rLTL) and blood mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in non-pregnant Cambodian women (18-45 years) who received 60 mg of elemental iron as ferrous sulfate (n = 190) or a placebo (n = 186) for 12 weeks. Buffy coat rLTL and mtDNA content were quantified by monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to predict the absolute and percent change in rLTL and mtDNA content after 12 weeks. Iron supplementation was not associated with an absolute or percent change in rLTL after 12 weeks compared with placebo (ß-coefficient: -0.04 [95% CI: -0.16, 0.08]; p = 0.50 and ß-coefficient: -0.96 [95% CI: -2.69, 0.77]; p = 0.28, respectively). However, iron supplementation was associated with a smaller absolute and percent increase in mtDNA content after 12 weeks compared with placebo (ß-coefficient: -11 [95% CI: -20, -2]; p = 0.02 and ß-coefficient: -11 [95% CI: -20, -1]; p= 0.02, respectively). Thus, daily oral iron supplementation for 12 weeks was associated with altered mitochondrial homeostasis in our study sample. More research is needed to understand the risk of iron exposure and the biological consequences of altered mitochondrial homeostasis in order to inform the safety of the current global supplementation policy.
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17
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Zeng M, Qi L, Guo Y, Zhu X, Tang X, Yong T, Xie Y, Wu Q, Zhang M, Chen D. Long-Term Administration of Triterpenoids From Ganoderma lucidum Mitigates Age-Associated Brain Physiological Decline via Regulating Sphingolipid Metabolism and Enhancing Autophagy in Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:628860. [PMID: 34025387 PMCID: PMC8134542 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.628860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of the aging society, how to grow old healthily has become an important issue for the whole of society. Effective intervention strategies for healthy aging are most desired, due to the complexity and diversity of genetic information, it is a pressing concern to find a single drug or treatment to improve longevity. In this study, long-term administration of triterpenoids of Ganoderma lucidum (TGL) can mitigate brain physiological decline in normal aging mice. In addition, the age-associated pathological features, including cataract formation, hair loss, and skin relaxation, brown adipose tissue accumulation, the β-galactosidase staining degree of kidney, the iron death of spleen, and liver functions exhibit improvement. We used the APP/PS1 mice and 3 × Tg-AD mice model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) to further verify the improvement of brain function by TGL and found that Ganoderic acid A might be the effective constituent of TGL for anti-aging of the brain in the 3 × Tg-AD mice. A potential mechanism of action may involve the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism, prolonging of telomere length, and enhance autophagy, which allows for the removal of pathological metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zeng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longkai Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinrui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangxiang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Academy of Life Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaocui Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianqiao Yong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Diling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Wagner MA, Wesmiller SW, Maydick M, Gawron LM, Peterson-Burch FM, Conley YP. Symptom Science: Omics and Response to Non-Pharmacological Interventions. Biol Res Nurs 2020; 23:394-401. [PMID: 33267608 DOI: 10.1177/1099800420975205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Incorporating omics into non-pharmacological intervention research design could provide a better understanding of the variability in response to these interventions. It would also provide evidence for precision-based non-pharmacological interventions, including interventions focused on symptoms. The purpose of this manuscript was to present examples of studies that have used omics to examine response to non-pharmacological intervention. Using the interventions of exercise, diet (related to obesity), cognitive based therapy, and alternative mind-body practices (meditation, yoga, and tai chi), PubMed was searched to identify studies that incorporated genomic or other omic approaches as part of a non-pharmacological intervention. The review identified genes associated with the effectiveness of each of the interventions. Although there were no genes that were associated with all four interventions, there were nine genes that were the focus of more than one intervention (ACE, BDNF, COMT, CXCL8, IL6, SL6A4, TNF, GSTM1, PTGER3). All nine of these genes were either directly or indirectly biologically related to one another, suggesting that this cadre of genes could serve as an initiation point for investigations using omic approaches to better understand response to non-pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lisa M Gawron
- School of Nursing, 6614University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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19
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Keng SL, Looi PS, Tan ELY, Yim OS, Lai PS, Chew SH, Ebstein RP. Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Psychological Symptoms and Telomere Length: A Randomized Active-Controlled Trial. Behav Ther 2020; 51:984-996. [PMID: 33051039 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Much research has demonstrated the beneficial effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on psychological and physical health, but it is not known whether MBSR may impact cellular aging in healthy populations. Further, little research has evaluated MBSR against an active control condition, which precludes strong conclusions regarding the unique effects of mindfulness on psychological functioning. The present study examined the effects of MBSR versus music therapy-based stress reduction (MTSR) on trait mindfulness, self-compassion, and several psychological health outcomes, as well as leukocyte telomere length (LTL). One hundred and fifty eight Singaporean Chinese adults were recruited and randomly assigned to an eight-week MBSR or MTSR course. Participants provided blood samples and completed a battery of self-report measures pre- and post-intervention. Analyses showed that participants in the MBSR condition demonstrated significantly greater improvements in depressive symptoms, trait mindfulness, and self-compassion compared to the control condition. Treatment condition did not predict changes in LTL, anxiety, stress, or happiness, though there was a trend for duration of home mindfulness practice to predict increases in LTL. Overall, the study demonstrated MBSR's unique effects in reducing depressive symptoms. Improvements in trait mindfulness and self-compassion correspond with theorized mechanisms of change underlying mindfulness training. The lack of intervention effect with regards to LTL suggests that a more intensive intervention may be required for mindfulness to exert noticeable impact on aging at the cellular level, or that the effect may only emerge over a longer term.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Richard P Ebstein
- China Center for Behavior Economics and Finance, South Western University of Finance and Economics, China.
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20
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Dyer NL, Borden S, Dusek JA, Khalsa SBS. A 3-Day residential yoga-based program improves education professionals' psychological and occupational health in a single arm trial. Explore (NY) 2020; 17:513-520. [PMID: 32919893 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined changes in psychological and occupational health in urban education professionals after attending a brief yoga-based program. METHODS Education professionals from the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) who were attending a residential 3-day yoga-based program at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health were recruited to participate in the study. Measures of psychological and occupational health and health-related behaviors were completed before (baseline), after (post), and two months after the program (follow-up). Paired samples t-tests were used to compare scores between time points. RESULTS At post, participants (N = 74) showed improvements in stress, resilience, affect, mindfulness, empowerment, self-compassion, satisfaction with life, work engagement, burnout, exercise, and vegetable intake (all p values < 0.05) compared to baseline. At the follow-up (N = 33), showed improvements in resilience, affect, mindfulness, empowerment, self-compassion, work engagement, and burnout (all p values < 0.05) compared to baseline. There were significant correlations between the degree of home practice of the skills and techniques learned in the program and improvements in multiple measures of psychological and occupational health at follow-up (all p values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the yoga-based program improves psychological and occupational health and healthy behaviors in education professionals immediately following the program and up to two-months following the program, however, more data with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm sustained benefits over the longer term.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Borden
- Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge MA, USA
| | | | - Sat Bir S Khalsa
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
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21
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Sung MK, Lee US, Ha NH, Koh E, Yang HJ. A potential association of meditation with menopausal symptoms and blood chemistry in healthy women: A pilot cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22048. [PMID: 32899065 PMCID: PMC7478772 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to hormonal changes, women experience various psychophysiological alterations over a wide age range, which may result in decreased quality of life as well as in increased risks of diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. Although studies have been performed to research complementary methods, such as meditation, the research field still requires an adequate amount of studies for public health guidelines. This pilot cross-sectional study aims to investigate a potential association of meditation with menopausal symptoms and blood chemistry for healthy women. In this study, data of 65 healthy women (age range 25-67) including 33 meditation practitioners and 32 meditation-naïve controls were analyzed to compare the Menopausal Rating Scale scores and blood chemistry with 7 more dropouts in the blood chemistry. For blood chemistry, nine components including glucose (GLU) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) were measured. Two-way analysis of variance was performed by dividing the total participants into 2 groups: premenopausal and postmenopausal participants. Compared to the control group, the meditation group showed a trend of reductions in the Menopausal Rating Scale total score (P = .054) and its 2 subcomponents: depressive mood (P = .064) and irritability (P = .061). In HDL level, there was a significant interaction between group and menopausal state (P = .039) with following post hoc results: among the premenopausal participants, a significant increase in the meditation group compared to the control group (P = .005); among the control group, a significant increase in the postmenopausal compared to the premenopausal participants (P = .030). In GLU level, there was a mild interaction between group and menopausal state (P = .070) with following post hoc results: among the postmenopausal participants, a trend of increase in the control group compared to the meditation group (P = .081); among the control group, a significant increase in the postmenopausal compared to the premenopausal participants (P = .040). Our research suggests a potential association of practicing meditation with alleviations in menopausal symptoms and changes in blood chemistry, warranting further studies with a longitudinal study design and larger populations to understand the underlying causal relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ul Soon Lee
- Department of Brain Education, Global Cyber University, Cheonan
| | - Na Hyun Ha
- Department of Brain-based Emotion Coaching, Global Cyber University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eugene Koh
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hyun-Jeong Yang
- Korea Institute of Brain Science, Seoul
- Department of Integrative Health Care, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
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22
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Aziz N, Wal A, Wal P, Bhalla R. Internet Addiction in India: Its Current Prevalence and Psychological and Complementary Treatment Techniques. CURRENT PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH AND REVIEWS 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/2666082216666200106120104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
In this technical era, undoubtedly, the internet has brought a great revolution
worldwide. Smartphones and technology-mediated social networking sites have caused a drastic
increase in internet usage in all age groups of people. This has caused internet captivity leading
to its addiction.
Objective:
The paper focussed on the mediators and predictors of internet addiction in India in all
age groups of people. Its long-term solutions, i.e. psychological and complementary treatments were
focussed that work on personal level rather than disease level.
Methods:
An extensive literature review was done on the prevalence of the internet and its psychological
and complementary treatment. The possible non-pharmacological treatment, specifically
cognitive behaviour treatment, art and music therapy, internet fasting and cosmic medicine were
focussed on its efficient improvement in one’s health.
Conclusion:
As evident from our study, internet addiction is one of the growing challenges of
health complications in all age groups of people. The mainly discussed psychological and complementary
treatments of internet addiction have ample opportunity of seeking betterment with healthy
social and mental well being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namra Aziz
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-209305, India
| | - Ankita Wal
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-209305, India
| | - Pranay Wal
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-209305, India
| | - Rupa Bhalla
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-209305, India
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23
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Shen H, Chen M, Cui D. Biological mechanism study of meditation and its application in mental disorders. Gen Psychiatr 2020; 33:e100214. [PMID: 32695961 PMCID: PMC7359050 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2020-100214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research on meditation as an important alternative therapy has developed rapidly and been widely applied in clinical medicine. Mechanism studies of meditation have also developed progressively, showing that meditation has great impact on brain structure and function, and epigenetic and telomere regulation. In line with this, the application of meditation has gradually been expanded to mental illness, most often applied for major depressive disorders and substance-related and addictive disorders. The focus of this paper is to illustrate the biological mechanisms of meditation and its application in mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Shen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meijuan Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Donghong Cui
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
The body is a central object of the cultivation of mindfulness, in the way this has been described in relevant Pāli discourses and their parallels. At the background of such cultivation stands the absence of positing a mind-body duality and a lack of concern with a particular physical location of the mind in early Buddhist thought. Moreover, the various exercises that involve directing mindfulness to the body need to be considered in conjunction in order to arrive at a balanced understanding of their overarching purpose. Out of the different possible modalities of cultivating mindfulness in this way, the discourses present awareness directed to one’s own bodily postures as a practice already undertaken by the Buddha-to-be when he was still in quest of awakening. In this particular setting, such mindfulness of postures served as a way of facing fear. The potential of this exercise to provide a grounding in embodied mindfulness, being fully in the here and now, is of particular relevance to the challenges posed by the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhikkhu Anālayo
- Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, 149 Lockwood Road, Barre, MA 01005 USA
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25
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Mendioroz M, Puebla-Guedea M, Montero-Marín J, Urdánoz-Casado A, Blanco-Luquin I, Roldán M, Labarga A, García-Campayo J. Telomere length correlates with subtelomeric DNA methylation in long-term mindfulness practitioners. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4564. [PMID: 32165663 PMCID: PMC7067861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61241-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness and meditation techniques have proven successful for the reduction of stress and improvement in general health. In addition, meditation is linked to longevity and longer telomere length, a proposed biomarker of human aging. Interestingly, DNA methylation changes have been described at specific subtelomeric regions in long-term meditators compared to controls. However, the molecular basis underlying these beneficial effects of meditation on human health still remains unclear. Here we show that DNA methylation levels, measured by the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina) array, at specific subtelomeric regions containing GPR31 and SERPINB9 genes were associated with telomere length in long-term meditators with a strong statistical trend when correcting for multiple testing. Notably, age showed no association with telomere length in the group of long-term meditators. These results may suggest that long-term meditation could be related to epigenetic mechanisms, in particular gene-specific DNA methylation changes at distinct subtelomeric regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Mendioroz
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain. .,Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain.
| | - Marta Puebla-Guedea
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón. Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria (REDIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesús Montero-Marín
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón. Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria (REDIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Amaya Urdánoz-Casado
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Idoia Blanco-Luquin
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Miren Roldán
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Alberto Labarga
- Bioinformatics Unit, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center - UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Javier García-Campayo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón. Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria (REDIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain.,Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Beijers R, Hartman S, Shalev I, Hastings W, Mattern BC, de Weerth C, Belsky J. Testing three hypotheses about effects of sensitive-insensitive parenting on telomeres. Dev Psychol 2020; 56:237-250. [PMID: 31961192 PMCID: PMC7391860 DOI: 10.1037/dev0000879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are the protective DNA-protein sequences appearing at the ends of chromosomes; they shorten with each cell division and are considered a biomarker of aging. Shorter telomere length and greater erosion have been associated with compromised physical and mental health and are hypothesized to be affected by early life stress. In the latter case, most work has relied on retrospective measures of early life stressors. The Dutch research (n = 193) presented herein tested 3 hypotheses prospectively regarding effects of sensitive-insensitive parenting during the first 2.5 years on telomere length at age 6, when first measured, and change over the following 4 years. It was predicted that (1) less sensitive parenting would predict shorter telomeres and greater erosion and that such effects would be most pronounced in children (2) exposed to prenatal stress and/or (3) who were highly negatively emotional as infants. Results revealed, only, that prenatal stress amplified parenting effects on telomere change-in a differential-susceptibility-related manner: Prenatally stressed children displayed more erosion when they experienced insensitive parenting and less erosion when they experienced sensitive parenting. Mechanisms that might initiate greater postnatal plasticity as a result of prenatal stress are highlighted and future work outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jay Belsky
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies
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Abstract
Objective: Telomeres are the caps at the end of chromosomes. Short telomeres are a biomarker for worsening health and early death.Design: The present study consolidated research on meditation and telomere length through a meta-analysis of results of studies examining the effect of meditation on telomere length by comparing the telomere length of meditating participants with participants in control conditions.Results: A search of the literature identified 11 studies reporting 12 comparisons of meditating individuals with individuals in control conditions. An overall significant weighted effect size of g =.40 indicated that the individuals in meditation conditions had longer telomeres. When an outlier effect size was trimmed from the analysis, the effect size was smaller, g =.16. Across studies, a greater number of hours of meditation among participants in meditation conditions was associated with larger effect sizes.Conclusion: These findings provide tentative support for the hypothesis that participants in meditation conditions have longer telomeres than participants in comparison conditions, and that a greater number of hours of meditation is associated with a greater impact on telomere biology. The results of the meta-analysis have potential clinical significance in that they suggest that meditation-based interventions may prevent telomere attrition or increase telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John M Malouff
- Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
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Lever-van Milligen BA, Verhoeven JE, Schmaal L, van Velzen LS, Révész D, Black CN, Han LKM, Horsfall M, Batelaan NM, van Balkom AJLM, van Schaik DJF, van Oppen P, Penninx BWJH. The impact of depression and anxiety treatment on biological aging and metabolic stress: study protocol of the MOod treatment with antidepressants or running (MOTAR) study. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:425. [PMID: 31888565 PMCID: PMC6937704 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2404-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depressive and anxiety disorders have shown to be associated to premature or advanced biological aging and consequently to adversely impact somatic health. Treatments with antidepressant medication or running therapy are both found to be effective for many but not all patients with mood and anxiety disorders. These interventions may, however, work through different pathophysiological mechanisms and could differ in their impact on biological aging and somatic health. This study protocol describes the design of an unique intervention study that examines whether both treatments are similarly effective in reducing or reversing biological aging (primary outcome), psychiatric status, metabolic stress and neurobiological indicators (secondary outcomes). METHODS The MOod Treatment with Antidepressants or Running (MOTAR) study will recruit a total of 160 patients with a current major depressive and/or anxiety disorder in a mental health care setting. Patients will receive a 16-week treatment with either antidepressant medication or running therapy (3 times/week). Patients will undergo the treatment of their preference and a subsample will be randomized (1:1) to overcome preference bias. An additional no-disease-no-treatment group of 60 healthy controls without lifetime psychopathology, will be included as comparison group for primary and secondary outcomes at baseline. Assessments are done at week 0 for patients and controls, and at week 16 and week 52 for patients only, including written questionnaires, a psychiatric and medical examination, blood, urine and saliva collection and a cycle ergometer test, to gather information about biological aging (telomere length and telomerase activity), mental health (depression and anxiety disorder characteristics), general fitness, metabolic stress-related biomarkers (inflammation, metabolic syndrome, cortisol) and genetic determinants. In addition, neurobiological alterations in brain processes will be assessed using structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in a subsample of at least 25 patients per treatment arm and in all controls. DISCUSSION This intervention study aims to provide a better understanding of the impact of antidepressant medication and running therapy on biological aging, metabolic stress and neurobiological indicators in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders in order to guide a more personalized medicine treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trialregister.nl Number of identification: NTR3460, May 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca A. Lever-van Milligen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josine E. Verhoeven
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Schmaal
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura S. van Velzen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dóra Révész
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine N. Black
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura K. M. Han
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Melany Horsfall
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Neeltje M. Batelaan
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J. L. M. van Balkom
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Digna J. F. van Schaik
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia van Oppen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,0000 0004 0546 0540grid.420193.dGGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Sparby T. A Proposal for a System of Classification for Anthroposophic Meditation. Complement Med Res 2019; 27:77-88. [PMID: 31743927 DOI: 10.1159/000503893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The investigation of the specific connections between different techniques of meditation and their respective effects depends upon a classification of the meditative activity involved. Universal systems of classification need to be developed based both on traditional sources and contemporary science. In this article, a system of classification for anthroposophical meditation is proposed. METHODS The system was developed from a close textual analysis of meditation instructions given by Rudolf Steiner. The system of classification arising from the investigation was compared to three other classificatory systems that have recently been suggested. RESULTS The analysis resulted in a system of classification with two main branches: (1) the shared features of anthroposophical meditation and (2) the different aspects of specific anthroposophical meditations. The first branch contains the following sub-categories: understanding, internal conditions, external conditions, sequence, timeframe and dealing with hindrances. The second branch contains: source, aim, activity, sequence and timeframe. Other systems of classification tend to leave out the dimension of the meditative activity. CONCLUSION The proposed classification system can be used as a starting point for further refinements of the classification of anthroposophic meditation, but it can also be used as a standard for future studies of the connections between different meditations and their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terje Sparby
- Department für Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany, .,Das integrierte Begleitstudium spirituelle und anthroposophische Psychologie, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany,
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30
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Pandya SP. Meditation app alleviates burnout and builds resilience for chaplains in hospices for older adults in Asian and African cities. J Health Care Chaplain 2019; 27:129-145. [PMID: 31588868 DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2019.1670539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This article reports a one-year study examining the effect of a smartphone meditation app (M-App) in alleviating burnout and promoting resilience among chaplains working in hospices of older adults in Asian and African cities (N1 = 96; N2 = 85). Results indicated that chaplains who used the M-App exhibited lesser emotional exhaustion and depersonalization as burnout markers and higher personal achievement and resilience as compared to leisure app (L-App) users. The M-App was effective (Cohen's d range = 3.08-5.07, p = .001) for the intervention cohort. Male chaplains, highly qualified, attached to assisted living hospices, who used the M-App once-twice a day, perused both videos and learning sessions and self-practiced regularly, reported lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and higher personal achievement and resilience post-test. M-App usage behavior mediated the relationship between demographic and hospice related moderators and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samta P Pandya
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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31
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Le Nguyen KD, Lin J, Algoe SB, Brantley MM, Kim SL, Brantley J, Salzberg S, Fredrickson BL. Loving-kindness meditation slows biological aging in novices: Evidence from a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:20-27. [PMID: 31185369 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Combinations of multiple meditation practices have been shown to reduce the attrition of telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes (Carlson et al., 2015). Here, we probed the distinct effects on telomere length (TL) of mindfulness meditation (MM) and loving-kindness meditation (LKM). Midlife adults (N = 142) were randomized to be in a waitlist control condition or to learn either MM or LKM in a 6-week workshop. Telomere length was assessed 2 weeks before the start of the workshops and 3 weeks after their termination. After controlling for appropriate demographic covariates and baseline TL, we found TL decreased significantly in the MM group and the control group, but not in the LKM group. There was also significantly less TL attrition in the LKM group than the control group. The MM group showed changes in TL that were intermediate between the LKM and control groups yet not significantly different from either. Self-reported emotions and practice intensity (duration and frequency) did not mediate these observed group differences. This study is the first to disentangle the effects of LKM and MM on TL and suggests that LKM may buffer telomere attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa D Le Nguyen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3270, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, 600 16th St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Sara B Algoe
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3270, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | | | - Sumi L Kim
- Office of Religious Life, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey Brantley
- Duke Integrative Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Barbara L Fredrickson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3270, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Puhlmann LMC, Valk SL, Engert V, Bernhardt BC, Lin J, Epel ES, Vrtička P, Singer T. Association of Short-term Change in Leukocyte Telomere Length With Cortical Thickness and Outcomes of Mental Training Among Healthy Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e199687. [PMID: 31553468 PMCID: PMC6763984 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.9687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Telomere length is associated with the development of age-related diseases and structural differences in multiple brain regions. It remains unclear, however, whether change in telomere length is linked to brain structure change, and to what extent telomere length can be influenced through mental training. Objectives To assess the dynamic associations between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and cortical thickness (CT), and to determine whether LTL is affected by a longitudinal contemplative mental training intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants An open-label efficacy trial of three 3-month mental training modules with healthy, meditation-naive adults was conducted. Data on LTL and CT were collected 4 times over 9 months between April 22, 2013, and March 31, 2015, as part of the ReSource Project. Data analysis was performed between September 23, 2016, and June 21, 2019. Of 1582 eligible individuals, 943 declined to participate; 362 were randomly selected for participation and assigned to training or retest control cohorts, with demographic characteristics matched. The retest control cohorts underwent all testing but no training. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Interventions Training cohort participants completed 3 modules cultivating interoception and attention (Presence), compassion (Affect), or perspective taking (Perspective). Main Outcomes and Measures Change in LTL and CT. Results Of the 362 individuals randomized, 30 participants dropped out before study initiation (initial sample, 332). Data were available for analysis of the training intervention in 298 participants (n = 222 training; n = 76 retest control) (175 women [58.7%]; mean [SD] age, 40.5 [9.3] years). The training modules had no effect on LTL. In 699 observations from all 298 participants, mean estimated changes in the relative ratios of telomere repeat copy number to single-copy gene (T/S) were for no training, 0.004 (95% CI, -0.010 to 0.018); Presence, -0.007 (95% CI, -0.025 to 0.011); Affect, -0.005 (95% CI, -0.019 to 0.010); and Perspective, -0.001 (95% CI, -0.017 to 0.016). Cortical thickness change data were analyzed in 167 observations from 67 retest control participants (37 women [55.2%], mean [SD] age, 39.6 [9.0] years). In this retest control cohort subsample, naturally occurring LTL change was related to CT change in the left precuneus extending to the posterior cingulate cortex (mean t161 = 3.22; P < .001; r = 0.246). At the individual participant level, leukocyte telomere shortening as well as lengthening were observed. Leukocyte telomere shortening was related to cortical thinning (t77 = 2.38; P = .01; r = 0.262), and leukocyte telomere lengthening was related to cortical thickening (t77 = 2.42; P = .009; r = 0.266). All analyses controlled for age, sex, and body mass index. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this trial indicate an association between short-term change in LTL and concomitant change in plasticity of the left precuneus extending to the posterior cingulate cortex. This result contributes to the evidence that LTL changes more dynamically on the individual level than previously thought. Further studies are needed to determine potential long-term implications of such change in relation to cellular aging and the development of neurodegenerative disorders. No effect of contemplative mental training was noted in what may be, to date, the longest intervention with healthy adults. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01833104.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M. C. Puhlmann
- Research Group, “Social Stress and Family Health,” Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sofie L. Valk
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain & Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Veronika Engert
- Research Group, “Social Stress and Family Health,” Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Boris C. Bernhardt
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Pascal Vrtička
- Research Group, “Social Stress and Family Health,” Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tania Singer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
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Exploring Epigenetic Age in Response to Intensive Relaxing Training: A Pilot Study to Slow Down Biological Age. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173074. [PMID: 31450859 PMCID: PMC6747190 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) is an emerging estimator of biological aging, i.e., the often-defined "epigenetic clock", with a unique accuracy for chronological age estimation (DNAmAge). In this pilot longitudinal study, we examine the hypothesis that intensive relaxing training of 60 days in patients after myocardial infarction and in healthy subjects may influence leucocyte DNAmAge by turning back the epigenetic clock. Moreover, we compare DNAmAge with another mechanism of biological age, leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and telomerase. DNAmAge is reduced after training in healthy subjects (p = 0.053), but not in patients. LTL is preserved after intervention in healthy subjects, while it continues to decrease in patients (p = 0.051). The conventional negative correlation between LTL and chronological age becomes positive after training in both patients (p < 0.01) and healthy subjects (p < 0.05). In our subjects, DNAmAge is not associated with LTL. Our findings would suggest that intensive relaxing practices influence different aging molecular mechanisms, i.e., DNAmAge and LTL, with a rejuvenating effect. Our study reveals that DNAmAge may represent an accurate tool to measure the effectiveness of lifestyle-based interventions in the prevention of age-related diseases.
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Trent NL, Borden S, Miraglia M, Pasalis E, Dusek JA, Khalsa SBS. Improvements in Psychological and Occupational Well-Being in a Pragmatic Controlled Trial of a Yoga-Based Program for Professionals. J Altern Complement Med 2019; 25:593-605. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2018.0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Borden
- Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA
| | | | - Edi Pasalis
- Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA
| | | | - Sat Bir Singh Khalsa
- Department of Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Mensà E, Latini S, Ramini D, Storci G, Bonafè M, Olivieri F. The telomere world and aging: Analytical challenges and future perspectives. Ageing Res Rev 2019; 50:27-42. [PMID: 30615937 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres, the terminal nucleoprotein structures of eukaryotic chromosomes, play pleiotropic functions in cellular and organismal aging. Telomere length (TL) varies throughout life due to the influence of genetic factors and to a complex balancing between "shortening" and "elongation" signals. Telomerase, the only enzyme that can elongate a telomeric DNA chain, and telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), a long non-coding RNA involved in looping maintenance, play key roles in TL during life. Despite recent advances in the knowledge of TL, TERRA and telomerase activity (TA) biology and their measurement techniques, the experimental and theoretical issues involved raise a number of problems that should carefully be considered by researchers approaching the "telomere world". The increasing use of such parameters - hailed as promising clinically relevant biomarkers - has failed to be paralleled by the development of automated and standardized measurement technology. Consequently, associating given TL values to specific pathological conditions involves on the one hand technological issues and on the other clinical-biological issues related to the planning of clinically relevant association studies. Addressing these issues would help avoid major biases in association studies involving TL and a number of outcomes, especially those focusing on psychological and bio-behavioral variables. The main challenge in telomere research is the development of accurate and reliable measurement methods to achieve simple and sensitive TL, TERRA, and TA detection. The discovery of the localization of telomeres and TERRA in cellular and extracellular compartments had added an additional layer of complexity to the measurement of these age-related biomarkers. Since combined analysis of TL, TERRA and TA may well provide more exhaustive clinical information than a single parameter, we feel it is important for researchers in the various fields to become familiar with their most common measurement techniques and to be aware of the respective merits and drawbacks of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Mensà
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Latini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Deborah Ramini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gianluca Storci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" (CIG), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), IRCCS, Biosciences Laboratory, Meldola, Italy
| | - Fabiola Olivieri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
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de Punder K, Heim C, Wadhwa PD, Entringer S. Stress and immunosenescence: The role of telomerase. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 101:87-100. [PMID: 30445409 PMCID: PMC6458519 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress is associated with the accelerated aging of the immune system and represents a potent risk factor for the development and progression of a wide range of physical and mental disorders. The elucidation of molecular pathways and mechanisms underlying the link between stress and cellular aging is an area of considerable interest and investigation. In this context, telomere biology has emerged as a particularly attractive candidate mechanism. Several studies have linked immune cell telomere length with stress-related conditions and states, and also with several physical and mental disorders. Because the cellular reverse transcriptase enzyme telomerase is the primary regulator of telomere length (by adding telomeric DNA to telomeres and thereby attenuating telomere shortening), the understanding of its regulation and regulatory functions constitutes a prime target for developing strategies to prevent, attenuate or reverse the adverse consequences of immune system aging (immunosenescence). In this review we provide an overview of the mechanistic pathways linking telomerase with stress and cellular aging, with an emphasis on the immune system. We summarize and synthesize the current state of the literature on immune cell telomerase in different stress- and aging-related disease states and provide recommendations for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin de Punder
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christine Heim
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany; Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Pathik D Wadhwa
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA; Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
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37
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King BG, Conklin QA, Zanesco AP, Saron CD. Residential meditation retreats: their role in contemplative practice and significance for psychological research. Curr Opin Psychol 2019; 28:238-244. [PMID: 30878004 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary investigations of mindfulness and meditation have predominately emphasized the short-term effects of brief inductions or standardized, multi-week interventions in people with little to no prior meditation experience. Considerably less is known about the effects of continued or intensive meditation practice as proficiency and expertise are acquired over time. In this article, we describe the form and function of residential retreats, an understudied class of meditation intervention that holds promise for bridging this gap in the empirical literature. We outline a number of design features that distinguish retreats from other meditation-based interventions, and highlight their utility for informing functional and developmental perspectives on meditation, cognition, health, and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon G King
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, United States.
| | - Quinn A Conklin
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, United States
| | | | - Clifford D Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, United States; The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, United States
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38
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Conklin QA, Crosswell AD, Saron CD, Epel ES. Meditation, stress processes, and telomere biology. Curr Opin Psychol 2018; 28:92-101. [PMID: 30553080 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Both theoretical and empirical work support the notion that meditation training can improve telomere regulation, which may ultimately contribute to healthy aging. Yet, the psychological and biological mechanisms underlying these changes remain underspecified, as do the contexts and boundary conditions in which these changes occur. Here we summarize studies investigating the effects of various meditation-based interventions on telomere biology, making suggestions for future research. We then propose a model describing how meditation training may impact acute and habitual stress responses as pathways to improved cell aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elissa S Epel
- University of California, San Francisco, United States.
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39
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Staffaroni AM, Tosun D, Lin J, Elahi FM, Casaletto KB, Wynn MJ, Patel N, Neuhaus J, Walters SM, Epel ES, Blackburn EH, Kramer JH. Telomere attrition is associated with declines in medial temporal lobe volume and white matter microstructure in functionally independent older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 69:68-75. [PMID: 29859365 PMCID: PMC6430612 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although leukocyte telomere length (TL) shortens over the lifespan and is associated with diseases of aging, little is known about the relationships between TL, memory, and brain structure. Sixty-nine functionally normal older adults (mean age = 71.7) were assessed at 2 time points (mean interval = 2.9 years). Linear mixed models assessed relationships between TL and hippocampal volume, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity (MD) of the fornix and verbal and visual episodic memory. Unstandardized coefficients are reported in the following, and p values are not corrected for multiple comparisons. A negative baseline trend was observed between TL and fornix MD (b = -0.01, p = 0.06), but no other cross-sectional associations were significant (ps > 0.16). Greater TL shortening at follow-up was associated with greater hippocampal volume loss (b = 27.09, p < 0.001), even after controlling for global volume loss (b = 10.83, p = 0.002). Greater telomere attrition was also associated with larger increases in fornix MD (b = -0.01, p = 0.012) and decreases in fornix fractional anisotropy (b = 0.004, p = 0.002). TL was not associated with changes in episodic memory (ps > 0.23). These relationships may reflect neurobiological influences that affect both TL and brain structure, as well as the effect of TL on brain aging via mechanisms such as cellular senescence and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Staffaroni
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Duygu Tosun
- Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Fanny M Elahi
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kaitlin B Casaletto
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew J Wynn
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nihar Patel
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Neuhaus
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Samantha M Walters
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Joel H Kramer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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