Positive Health Online

Abstract

JACOBS and COLLEAGUES,  Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis investigate the link between mindfulness meditation and stress reduction.

Background

Cognitive perseverations that include worry and rumination over past or future events may prolong cortisol release, which in turn may contribute to pre-disease pathways and adversely affect physical health. Meditation training may increase self-reported mindfulness, which has been linked to reductions in cognitive perseverations. However, there are no reports that directly link self-reported mindfulness and resting cortisol output. Here, the authors investigate this link.

Methodology

In an observational study, the authors measured self-reported mindfulness and p.m. cortisol near the beginning and end of a 3-month meditation retreat (N = 57).

Results

Mindfulness increased from pre- to post-retreat, F(1, 56) = 36.20, p < .001. Cortisol did not significantly change. However, mindfulness was inversely related to p.m. cortisol at pre-retreat, r(53) = -.31, p < .05, and post-retreat, r(53) = -.30, p < .05, controlling for age and body mass index. Pre to post-change in mindfulness was associated with pre to post-change in p.m. cortisol, beta = -.37, t(49) = 2.30, p < .05: Larger increases in mindfulness were associated with decreases in p.m. cortisol, whereas smaller increases (or slight decreases) in mindfulness were associated with an increase in p.m. cortisol.

Conclusion

These data suggest a relation between self-reported mindfulness and resting output of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. Future work should aim to replicate this finding in a larger cohort and determine stronger inference about causality by using experimental designs that include control-group conditions.

References

Jacobs TL, Shaver PR, Epel ES, Zanesco AP, Aichele SR, Bridwell DA, Rosenberg EL, King BG, Maclean KA, Sahdra BK, Kemeny ME, Ferrer E, Wallace BA and Saron CD. Self-reported mindfulness and cortisol during a Shamatha meditation retreat.  Health Psychology.  32(10): 1104-9. Oct 2013.