Enhanced psychosocial well-being following participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program is associated with increased natural killer cell activity.

Authors

Carolyn Y Fang, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Diane K Reibel, Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Margaret L Longacre, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Steven Rosenzweig, Drexel University
Donald E Campbell, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Steven D Douglas, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2010

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed and is published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2010 May;16(5):531-8. The published version is available at DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0018. ©Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs have consistently been shown to enhance the psychosocial well-being of participants. Given the well-established association between psychosocial factors and immunologic functioning, it has been hypothesized that enhanced psychosocial well-being among MBSR participants would be associated with corresponding changes in markers of immune activity.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine changes in psychosocial and immunologic measures in a heterogeneous patient sample following participation in a MBSR program.

DESIGN: A single-group, pretest/post-test design was utilized.

SETTING: The intervention was conducted at an academic health center.

SUBJECTS: This pilot study involved 24 participants (aged 28-72 years). Inclusion criteria were as follows: > or =18 years of age, English-speaking, and no known autoimmune disorder.

INTERVENTION: The intervention was an 8-week MBSR program.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Distress and quality of life (QOL) measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form Health Survey, respectively. Immunologic measures included natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activity and C-reactive protein (CRP).

RESULTS: Patients completed psychosocial assessments and provided a blood sample at baseline (pre-MBSR) and within 2 weeks post-MBSR. Significant improvements in anxiety and overall distress as well as across multiple domains of QOL were observed from baseline to post-MBSR. Reductions in anxiety and overall distress were associated with reductions in CRP. Patients who reported improvement in overall mental well-being also showed increased NK cytolytic activity from pre- to post-MBSR, whereas patients who reported no improvement in mental well-being showed no change in NK cytolytic activity.

CONCLUSIONS: Positive improvement in psychologic well-being following MBSR was associated with increased NK cytolytic activity and decreased levels of CRP.

Recommended Citation

Fang, Carolyn Y; Reibel, Diane K; Longacre, Margaret L; Rosenzweig, Steven; Campbell, Donald E; and Douglas, Steven D, "Enhanced psychosocial well-being following participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program is associated with increased natural killer cell activity." (2010). Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers. Paper 7.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jmbcimfp/7

PubMed ID

20455784