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Impact of mind body therapies on vascular endothelial dysfunction and implications for cardiovacular disease

Kavita Prasad1, Martin Kaiga Reriani1, Mohammad Hassan Murad1

  • 1Mayo Clinic Rochester.

Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine
|July 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Mind body therapies may benefit vascular endothelial function in cardiovascular disease patients, but current evidence from small trials is insufficient. Further research is needed to confirm potential therapeutic effects on endothelial dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychoneuroimmunology
  • Integrative Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) involve vascular endothelial dysfunction, exacerbated by mental stress.
  • Mind body therapies (MBTs) show potential in reducing CVD morbidity and mortality.
  • Mechanisms linking MBTs to CVD outcomes, particularly endothelial function, require elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the effect of MBTs on peripheral endothelial function.
  • To assess MBT impact in patients with and without established CVD.
  • To evaluate the current evidence base for MBTs in improving endothelial function.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • Searched Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase up to November 2009.
  • Included RCTs comparing MBTs with placebo for endothelial function outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Three RCTs with 258 participants (24% women; 53% with CVD) were included.
  • Meta-analysis showed a non-significant improvement in endothelial function (SMD 0.15; 95% CI: -0.36 to 0.67; P=0.56).
  • The analysis was underpowered due to small sample sizes.

Conclusions:

  • Current aggregate data from three small RCTs do not support MBTs significantly improving endothelial function.
  • Circumstantial evidence suggests a potential therapeutic benefit requiring further investigation.
  • Larger, adequately powered studies are necessary to confirm the effect of MBTs on endothelial dysfunction.

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