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Mindfulness Training and Physical Health: Mechanisms and Outcomes.

Psychosomatic medicine
April 1, 2019
J David Creswell et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to synthesize conceptual and empirical relationships between mindfulness interventions and physical health outcomes.

Results Summary

Mindfulness interventions improved pain management in chronic pain populations and showed preliminary evidence for improving stress-related disease outcomes (e.g., clinical colds, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, PTSD, diabetes, HIV). A stress-buffering framework and supporting biobehavioral/neuroimaging studies suggest plausible mechanistic pathways.

Population

Chronic pain populations and patients with stress-related diseases (e.g., psoriasis, IBS, PTSD, diabetes, HIV).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (2)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness interventions
increase
pain management outcomes
chronic pain populations
-
can improve
#1
mindfulness interventions
increase
specific stress-related disease outcomes
some patient populations (i.e., clinical colds, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes, HIV)
-
improving
#2
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There has been substantial research and public interest in mindfulness interventions, biological pathways, and health for the past two decades. This article reviews recent developments in understanding relationships between mindfulness interventions and physical health. METHODS: A selective review was conducted with the goal of synthesizing conceptual and empirical relationships between mindfulness interventions and physical health outcomes. RESULTS: Initial randomized controlled trials in this area suggest that mindfulness interventions can improve pain management outcomes among chronic pain populations, and there is preliminary evidence for mindfulness interventions improving specific stress-related disease outcomes in some patient populations (i.e., clinical colds, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes, HIV). We offer a stress-buffering framework for the observed beneficial effects of mindfulness interventions and summarize supporting biobehavioral and neuroimaging studies that provide plausible mechanistic pathways linking mindfulness interventions with positive physical health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude with new opportunities for research and clinical implementations to consider in the next two decades.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Health BehaviorHealth StatusHumansInflammationMindfulnessStress, Psychological
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations111
Citations/Year18.5
Relative Citation Ratio8.08
NIH Percentile96.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.66
Normalized Score0.67
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