Evidence on the Effects of Mindfulness

Evaluate the Evidence on the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Biological Stress Markers

Introduction

Stress is increasingly becoming a serious global public health issue during the 21st century. It is estimated that about 33% of the people around the world report feelings of extreme stress at some point in their lives (Fink, 2017). Stress is generally an emotional feeling that leads to frustration, anger, nervousness, and other forms of tension. It can affect one’s feelings and thoughts. Chronic stress interferes with the process of homeostasis, leading to poor mental and physical health outcomes (Hoge et al., 2018; Shapero et al., 2018). Some of the common health problems associated with the condition include anxiety, depression, suicidal feelings, hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. One of the major therapies commonly used to combat stress is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) (Hofmann & Gomez, 2017; Janssen et al., 2018). This method was developed in 1970s by Jon Kabat-Zinn. MBSR is an approach that uses yoga and meditation in the management of stress (Wong, 2020). It helps to improve cognitive as well as social outcomes among the affected individuals.  Although  MBSR is important for the treatment of stress, research on its effectiveness relies on self-report measures on single systems of the body. Literature on the biological measures of this therapy is limited. The purpose of the current essay is to examine the evidence pertaining to the effects of MBSR on biological markers of stress.

MBSR Approach and Its Relation to Stress Reduction

MBSR is a healing technique that is used to address unconscious behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that arise due to stress (Wong, 2020). The therapy specifically alters emotional responses through modification of both affective and cognitive processes (Hoge et al., 2018). MBSR focuses on promoting the affected people’s awareness of their present moments. Its goal is to address the arousal caused by stress. MBSR increases one’s level of mindfulness (Hoge et al., 2018). By doing so, it enhances calmness. This in turn leads to improved health outcomes. MBSR derives from the premise that mindfulness medication and practice are key in bringing every moment into an individual’s awareness. The technique emphasizes on the usage of non-judgmental awareness of both emotions and thoughts.

Stress affects every part of the human body. The condition is characterized by lack of motivation, feelings of sadness, tension, nervousness, and fatigue. Stress is at times helpful since it helps to boost one’s energy. It as well increases one’s level of attention (Hofmann & Gomez, 2017; Shapero et al., 2018). However, stress is in most cases a negative factor. This is due to the fact that it leads to unwanted effects. Stress causes changes in appetite, sexual problems, and weight loss. It also leads to both physical and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure (Hofmann & Gomez, 2017).MBSR basically entails a structured eight weeks training offered in two and half hours per week (Hofmann & Gomez, 2017; Shapero et al., 2018). A one day retreat is also provided (Janssen et al., 2018).  The day of retreat often involves seven hours of silence.

Evidence on the Biological Stress Markers that are Affected Due to MBSR

Most researches on the efficacy of MBSR in reducing stress are based on self-reports. Self-report measures of the intervention can be biased. The subjects involved are less likely to assess themselves in an accurate manner. It is also important to note that self-reports can be less truthful due to exaggerations and the need to give responses that are socially acceptable (Reich et al., 2017; Benedicto, 2021). Such limitations necessitate the need for a more effective method that can be used to measure the effect of MBSR on biological stress makers. Using biological measuresis useful in this case since they allow an investigator to study the effectiveness of the intervention using multiple approaches (Hofmann & Gomez, 2017). The measure can be used repeatedly for both short and long-term measures.

Various biological markers of stress can be used to study the influence of MBSR. These include cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, neurological measures, and autonomic measures (Hoge et al., 2018; Lengacher et al., 2018; Benedicto, 2021) . Cortisone is a hormone that controls the body metabolism, and enhances response to stress (Lengacher et al., 2018). However, Hoge et al (2018) observe that the hormone leads to high levels of fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure, and other metabolic disturbances when secreted in excess. In contrast,Lengacher (2019) states that flattened levels of the hormone cause a decrease in the rate of survival among cancer patients. Koncz et al (2019) suggests that meditation interventions such as MBSR help to lower cortisol levels among at-risk populations. Lengacher et al (2018) affirms this by stating that MBSR is effectual in reducing the level of cortisol in the human saliva.

IL-6 is a cytokine which plays an important role in regulation of immune responses. According to Boka (2020), this substance results in various metabolic syndromes when produced in the body in excess among individuals who are experiencing stress. These include overweight, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer (White, 2017; Hoge et al., 2018; Boka, 2020 ). Strand et al (2020) denote that increased levels of IL-6 are associated with pain, depression, and fatigue among persons who have rheumatoid arthritis. As far as Birashk et al (2018) and Lengacher et al (2018) are concerned, MBSR is effective in the reduction of IL-6 levels. This helps to improve body homeostasis.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the release of cortisol hormone from the adrenal glands cortex. This means that oversecretion of ACTHleads to excessive production of cortisol (Hoge et al., 2018). Benedicto (2021) states that MBSR can be used to decrease the amount of ACTH among patients with generalized anxiety disorders. This viewpoint is supported by Hoge et al (2018). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is an inflammatory type of cytokine (Benedicto, 2021). It is useful in enhancing resistance against cancer and other infections. Reich et al (2017) argue that MBSR increases the level of TNFα among breast cancer patients.In contrast, Benedicto (2021) denotes that the intervention helps to lower TNFα for persons who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder.

Neurological measures can also be used to examine the role of MBSR and its effects.Such measures are used to test mood, behavior, and mental health status (Seminowicz et al., 2020). Examples include magnetic resonance imaging MRI, voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Park et al (2018) note that patients who have myotonic dystrophy type 1 exhibit both white and grey matter abnormalities due to neuropsychological and genetic factors.Padovani et al (2006) suggest that MRI, VBM, and DTI can be used to examine the level of grey and white matter among patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). On their part, Seminowicz et al (2020)indicate that MRI outcomes such as the activities of the cognitive network and the prefrontal cortex are used to measure how effective MBSR is in the management of stress pertaining to headache.

Another set of biological markers that can be utilized in determining the impact of MBSR is one that comprises autonomic measures. These include heart rate, heart functioning, and blood pressure (Nijjar et al, 2014; Loucks et al, 2019).Nijjar et al (2014) opine that some meditation practices tend to influence heart rate variability (HRV) in a positive way. As a result, MBSR can be used tomanage conditions such as heart failure and myocardiac infarction. Loucks et al (2019) note that mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction (MB-BP) is a program with good feasibility and acceptability that can be used to understand the determinants of hypertension and self-regulation outcomes. Conversano et al (2021) agrees with this view by stating that MBSR is an important intervention that can be used to reduce diastolic blood pressure.

Limitations of Studying the MBSR Effect Using Biological Markers

Although biological markers play a significant role in understanding the effect of MBSR, they have some limitations. For instance, the effectiveness of such markers depends on both their usage and context of application (Reich et al., 2017). This means that some markers may not work with some health conditions associated with stress. Another limitation of biological markers is that it is often difficult to quantify their impact (Reich et al., 2017). This makes it difficult to determine the extent to which this intervention helps to address various conditions that arise due to chronic stress symptoms. Additionally, the use of biological markers to study MBSR’s impact is associated with high costs (Benedicto, 2021). As a result, it may be difficult to apply this method on lager population samples.

Conclusion

MBSR is a vital intervention that can be used to combat both mental and physical health problems as a result of chronic stress. However, overreliance on self-report measures makes this approach impractical due to biases. It is for this reason that biological markers of stress are increasingly getting their way into the study of the impact of MBSR. The use of biological markers gives researchers a variety of biological measures that they can use to determine the efficiency of MBSR in managing stress and other conditions that are associated with it. These include the use of hormones, cytokines, inflammation markers, neurological markers, and autonomic measures. Even though biological stress markers are useful in measuring the outcomes of MBSR, they are costly and their efficacy varies from one context to another. Therefore, there is need for further research on how such markers can be used to investigate the impact of MBSR in an inexpensive and most convenient way.

References:

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Conversano, C., Orru, G., Pozza, A., Miccoli, M., Ciacchini, R., Marchi, L., &Gemignani, A. (2021). Is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Effective for Peoplewith Hypertension? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of30 Years of Evidence. Int. J. Environ. Res. PublicHealth, 18 (2882). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062882

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