Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training reduces loneliness and pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults: a small randomized controlled trial.

TitleMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training reduces loneliness and pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults: a small randomized controlled trial.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsJ Creswell D, Irwin MR, Burklund LJ, Lieberman MD, Arevalo JMG, Ma J, Breen ECrabb, Cole SW
JournalBrain Behav Immun
Volume26
Issue7
Pagination1095-101
Date Published2012 Oct
ISSN1090-2139
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, C-Reactive Protein, Educational Status, Female, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Profiling, Humans, Inflammation, Interleukin-6, Loneliness, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, NF-kappa B, Stress, Psychological
Abstract

Lonely older adults have increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes as well as increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Previous behavioral treatments have attempted to reduce loneliness and its concomitant health risks, but have had limited success. The present study tested whether the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program (compared to a Wait-List control group) reduces loneliness and downregulates loneliness-related pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults (N = 40). Consistent with study predictions, mixed effect linear models indicated that the MBSR program reduced loneliness, compared to small increases in loneliness in the control group (treatment condition × time interaction: F(1,35) = 7.86, p = .008). Moreover, at baseline, there was an association between reported loneliness and upregulated pro-inflammatory NF-κB-related gene expression in circulating leukocytes, and MBSR downregulated this NF-κB-associated gene expression profile at post-treatment. Finally, there was a trend for MBSR to reduce C Reactive Protein (treatment condition × time interaction: (F(1,33) = 3.39, p = .075). This work provides an initial indication that MBSR may be a novel treatment approach for reducing loneliness and related pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults.

DOI10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.006
Alternate JournalBrain Behav. Immun.
PubMed ID22820409
PubMed Central IDPMC3635809
Grant List5P30 AG028748 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG028748 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30-AG107265 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG026364 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG034588 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA119159 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL079955 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH091352 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01-119159 / / PHS HHS / United States
R01-AG026364 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG034588 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-HL079955 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01-MH091352 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR000124 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States