Mindfulness-based stress reduction and physiological activity during acute stress: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on cardiovascular and cortisol activity during acute stress in individuals with elevated stress levels.
Results Summary
The MBSR group showed significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and reactivity to stress compared to the control group, but no effects were observed on other physiological measures like heart rate variability or cortisol.
Population
Healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | overall systolic blood pressure (SBP) | healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels | F(1, 58) = 4.99, p = .029, partial η² = .08 | showed larger pre- to postintervention decreases | #1 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | overall diastolic blood pressure (DBP) | healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels | F(1, 58) = 11.09, p = .002, partial η² = .16 | showed larger pre- to postintervention decreases | #2 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | SBP stress-related changes | healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels | F(2, 116) = 4.89, p = .012, partial η² = .08 | exhibited smaller stress-related changes from pre- to postintervention | #3 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | decrease | DBP stress-related changes | healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels | F(2, 116) = 6.07, p = .007, partial η² = .10 | exhibited smaller stress-related changes from pre- to postintervention | #4 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention | no change | other physiological measures | healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels | - | No effects were obtained | #5 |
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on cardiovascular and cortisol activity during acute stress. METHOD: Eighty-eight healthy community-dwelling individuals reporting elevated stress levels were randomly assigned to the MBSR protocol or a waitlist control group. Before and after the intervention period they participated in a laboratory stress protocol consisting of mental arithmetic and speech tasks. Laboratory measurements included continuous cardiovascular parameters (heart period, heart rate variability, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP]), and salivary cortisol. RESULTS: Compared to the control group and controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and beta-blockers, the MBSR group showed larger pre- to postintervention decreases in overall SBP (F(1, 58) = 4.99, p = .029, partial η² = .08) and DBP (F(1, 58) = 11.09, p = .002, partial η² = .16). In addition, the MBSR group exhibited smaller SBP and DBP stress-related changes from pre- to postintervention (F(2, 116) = 4.89, p = .012, partial η² = .08; F(2, 116) = 6.07, p = .007, partial η² = .10, respectively). No effects were obtained on other physiological measures. CONCLUSION: MBSR may help reducing blood pressure levels and blood pressure reactivity to stress.