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Mindfulness-based stress reduction increases stimulated IL-6 production among lonely older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Brain, behavior, and immunity
August 1, 2022
Emily K Lindsay et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness training (MBSR) enhances innate immune responsivity, measured by stimulated IL-6 production, in lonely older adults.

Results Summary

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) significantly increased stimulated IL-6 production compared to the control intervention (HEP) both post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up, suggesting improved innate immunocompetence. No adverse events were reported.

Population

Lonely older adults aged 65-85 years (N=190).

Effective Dosage

8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program (specific session frequency/duration not detailed in abstract).

Duration

8 weeks, with follow-up at 3 months post-intervention.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
increase
LPS-stimulated production of IL-6
lonely older adults (65-85 years)
d = 0.38
significantly increased
#1
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
increase
LPS-stimulated production of IL-6
lonely older adults (65-85 years)
d = 0.35
significantly increased
#2
Mindfulness training
increase
innate immunocompetence
lonely older adults
-
may be effective for boosting
#3
Mindfulness training
decrease
effects of aging and psychosocial stress on infection risk and recovery from injury
-
-
may help to counteract
#4
Abstract

Loneliness is a potent psychosocial stressor that predicts poor health and mortality among older adults, possibly in part by accelerating age-related declines in immunocompetence. Mindfulness interventions have shown promise for reducing loneliness and improving markers of physical health. In a sample of lonely older adults, this two-arm parallel trial tested whether mindfulness training enhances stimulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, a measure of innate immune responsivity. Lonely older adults (65-85 years; N = 190) were randomized to an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or control Health Enhancement Program (HEP) intervention. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of IL-6 was measured in vitro by blinded outcome assessors at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Mixed-effects linear models tested time (pre, post, follow-up) by condition (MBSR vs. HEP) effects. As predicted, a significant time × condition effect on stimulated IL-6 production was observed across pre, post, and follow-up timepoints. Significant MBSR vs. HEP differences emerged from pre- to post-intervention (p =.009, d = 0.38) and from pre-intervention to 3-month follow-up (p =.017, d = 0.35), with larger increases in IL-6 production following MBSR compared to HEP. No study-related adverse events were reported. Results show that mindfulness training may be effective for boosting innate immunocompetence among lonely older adults. Given that immunocompetence tends to decline with age, mindfulness training may help to counteract the effects of aging and psychosocial stress on infection risk and recovery from injury.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Gene ExpressionInterleukin-6LonelinessMindfulnessStress, PsychologicalTreatment OutcomeHumansAgedAged, 80 and over
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety100
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations12
Citations/Year4.0
Relative Citation Ratio1.93
NIH Percentile73.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.88
Normalized Score0.92
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