Reduction in salivary α-amylase levels following a mind-body intervention in cancer survivors--an exploratory study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether sleep-focused mind-body interventions (Mind-Body Bridging and Mindfulness Meditation) could positively modulate salivary α-amylase and cortisol levels in cancer survivors with sleep disturbances.
Results Summary
The study found that Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) reduced waking salivary α-amylase levels compared to the control group, suggesting a positive effect on sympathetic activity. Self-reported sleep improved across all interventions, with the greatest improvement in the MBB group, though cortisol levels did not significantly differ among groups.
Population
Female and male cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbances.
Effective Dosage
Three sessions, once per week for three consecutive weeks.
Duration
Three weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) | decrease | mean sAA levels upon awakening ("Waking" sample) | cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance | - | declined | #1 |
Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) | decrease | mean Waking cortisol levels | cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance | - | declined slightly | #2 |
Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) | increase | self-reported sleep | cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance | largest improvements | improved | #3 |
Mindfulness Meditation (MM) | increase | self-reported sleep | cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance | - | improved | #4 |
Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) | increase | self-reported sleep | cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance | - | improved | #5 |
sleep focused mind-body intervention (MBB) | decrease | Waking sAA levels | cancer survivors with sleep disturbance | - | attenuated | #6 |
OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this exploratory study was to assess whether salivary α-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol levels would be positively modulated by sleep-focused mind-body interventions in female and male cancer survivors. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which 57 cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance received either a Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE; n=18) control, or one of two experimental mind-body interventions, namely, Mind-Body Bridging (MBB; n=19) or Mindfulness Meditation (MM; n=20). Interventions were three sessions each conducted once per week for three consecutive weeks. Saliva cortisol and sAA were measured at baseline and 1 week after the last session. Participants also completed a sleep scale at the same time points when saliva was collected for biomarker measurement. RESULTS: Our study revealed that at post-intervention assessment, mean sAA levels upon awakening ("Waking" sample) declined in MBB compared with that of SHE. Mean Waking cortisol levels did not differ among treatment groups but declined slightly in SHE. Self-reported sleep improved across the three interventions at Post-assessment, with largest improvements in the MBB intervention. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory study, sleep focused mind-body intervention (MBB) attenuated Waking sAA levels, suggesting positive influences of a mind-body intervention on sympathetic activity in cancer survivors with sleep disturbance.