Workplace based mindfulness practice and inflammation: a randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine if a low-dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) could reduce inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6, cortisol) more effectively than a lifestyle education program in at-risk individuals.
Results Summary
MBI-ld significantly enhanced mindfulness and maintained it for up to a year, but no significant changes were observed in cortisol, IL-6, or self-reported stress, depression, and sleep quality. CRP levels were lower in the MBI-ld group (though not statistically significant) and showed a larger effect in non-obese participants.
Population
University faculty and staff with elevated CRP (>3.0 mg/ml) and at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (low-dose, reduced time commitment).
Duration
2 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | increase | mindfulness | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | 2-months | significantly enhanced | #1 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | no change | mindfulness | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | up to a year | was maintained | #2 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | no change | cortisol | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | no significant change | No significant changes were noted | #3 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | no change | IL-6 levels | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | no significant change | No significant changes were noted | #4 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | no change | self-reported measures of perceived stress | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | no significant change | No significant changes were noted | #5 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | no change | self-reported measures of depression | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | no significant change | No significant changes were noted | #6 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | no change | self-reported measures of sleep quality | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | no significant change | No significant changes were noted | #7 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | decrease | CRP level | university faculty and staff with elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease | one mg/ml | was one mg/ml lower | #8 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | decrease | CRP | participants who had a baseline BMI <30 | -2.67 mg/ml | A larger effect on CRP occurred | #9 |
low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) | decrease | CRP | those with BMI >30 | -0.18 mg/ml | A larger effect on CRP occurred | #10 |
We have developed a low dose Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI-ld) that reduces the time committed to meetings and formal mindfulness practice, while conducting the sessions during the workday. This reduced the barriers commonly mentioned for non-participation in mindfulness programs. In a controlled randomized trial we studied university faculty and staff (n=186) who were found to have an elevated CRP level,>3.0 mg/ml, and who either had, or were at risk for cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to evaluate if MBI-ld could produce a greater decrease in CRP, IL-6 and cortisol than an active control group receiving a lifestyle education program when measured at the end of the 2 month interventions. We found that MBI-ld significantly enhanced mindfulness by 2-months and it was maintained for up to a year when compared to the education control. No significant changes were noted between interventions in cortisol, IL-6 levels or self-reported measures of perceived stress, depression and sleep quality at 2-months. Although not statistically significant (p=.08), the CRP level at 2-months was one mg/ml lower in the MBI-ld group than in the education control group, a change which may have clinical significance (Ridker et al., 2000; Wassel et al., 2010). A larger MBI-ld effect on CRP (as compared to control) occurred among participants who had a baseline BMI <30 (-2.67 mg/ml) than for those with BMI >30 (-0.18 mg/ml). We conclude that MBI-ld should be more fully investigated as a low-cost self-directed complementary strategy for decreasing inflammation, and it seems most promising for non-obese subjects.