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Mindfulness in Motion MIM: An Onsite Mindfulness Based Intervention MBI for Chronically High Stress Work Environments to Increase Resiliency and Work Engagement

Mindfulness in Motion MIM: An Onsite Mindfulness Based Intervention MBI for Chronically High Stress Work Environments to Increase Resiliency and Work Engagement

Published on: July 1, 2015

Mindfulness-based stress reduction program improves psychological well-being and blood pressure in an Italian

Rita Canella¹, Teresa Fazia², Concetta Gardi³

¹Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Psychology, Health & Medicine

|September 24, 2025

Abstract

Background:

Chronic psychosocial stress may exacerbate inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially contributing to the aetiology of many lifestyle-related diseases, including elevation of blood pressure (BP) and increased cardiovascular risk. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improves psychological well-being, but few studies have investigated its effect on biological parameters related to stress. This study evaluated whether the MBSR program can lower stress and anxiety and improve some biological stress markers.

Methods:

This is a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. We recruited 42 adult volunteers to partake in a standard 8-week MBSR program. The main outcomes were psychological well-being (perceived stress, anxiety and awareness) and stress-related biomarkers (systolic and diastolic BP, salivary cortisol, IL-6 and IL-8 levels, plasma carotenoids concentration).

Results:

MBSR decreased stress (p = 0.002) and anxiety (p = 0.05) and increased awareness (p = 0.01). MBSR also significantly lowered systolic and diastolic BP (p = 0.02; p = 0.001), cortisol (p = 0.01), and IL-6 and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines (p = 0.02; p = 0.03), and enhanced carotenoids (p = 0.03). We found a strong positive correlation between Δ PSS and Δ STAI-Y1 (r = 0.62, p = 0.008), Δ STAI-Y1 and Δ IL8 (r = 0.74, p = 0.0007), and Δ PSS and Δ IL8 (r = 0.5, p = 0.04). Significant negative correlations were observed between Δ PSS and Δ MAAS (r = -0.77, p = 0.0003), Δ STAI-Y1 and Δ MAAS (r = -0.51, p = 0.04), and Δ MAAS and Δ IL8 (r = -0.68, p = 0.003).

Conclusion:

These preliminary data indicate that the MBSR program significantly improves all the analysed parameters. This program can help cope with stress and anxiety and lower BP by reducing nervous system activation and cortisol levels. By regulating cortisol levels, MBSR can lower inflammation and oxidative stress responses involved in many diseases, including hypertension. Further studies are needed to unravel the complex relationship between mindfulness and its effects on human health.

Keywords:

Blood pressure antioxidants cortisol cytokines mindfulness-based stress reduction saliva stress

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