Mindfulness-based stress reduction and physiological activity during acute stress: a randomized controlled trial
Ivan Nyklíček1, Paula M C Mommersteeg, Sylvia Van Beugen
1Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic disease (CoRPS), Department of Medical Psychology, Tilburg University.
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) effectively lowered blood pressure and reduced blood pressure reactivity to stress in adults. This intervention shows promise for managing cardiovascular responses to acute stressors.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Elevated stress levels are linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a widely used intervention for stress management.
- The impact of MBSR on physiological responses to acute stress requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of an MBSR intervention on cardiovascular and cortisol activity during acute laboratory stress.
- To assess changes in blood pressure, heart rate variability, and salivary cortisol following an MBSR program.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-eight healthy adults with high stress levels were randomized to MBSR or a waitlist control.
- Participants underwent a laboratory stress protocol (mental arithmetic, speech task) before and after the intervention.
- Continuous cardiovascular parameters and salivary cortisol were measured.
Main Results:
- The MBSR group demonstrated significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) compared to controls.
- MBSR participants showed attenuated SBP and DBP reactivity during the stress protocol.
- No significant effects were observed on heart period, heart rate variability, or cortisol levels.
Conclusions:
- MBSR intervention can effectively reduce resting blood pressure levels.
- MBSR may enhance resilience by mitigating blood pressure reactivity to acute stressors.
- Further research is needed to explore MBSR's effects on other physiological stress markers.
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