Mindfulness-based stress reduction program improves psychological well-being and blood pressure in an Italian context: potential mechanisms and benefits.

IF 1.9 3区医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Psychology Health & Medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-23 DOI:10.1080/13548506.2025.2561740

Rita Canella, Teresa Fazia, Concetta Gardi

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引用次数: 0

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.

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正念减压计划改善心理健康和血压在意大利的背景下：潜在的机制和好处。

背景：慢性社会心理应激可能加剧炎症和氧化应激，可能导致许多生活方式相关疾病的病因，包括血压升高和心血管风险增加。正念减压（MBSR）可以改善心理健康，但很少有研究调查其对与压力相关的生物参数的影响。本研究评估正念减压计划是否能降低压力和焦虑，并改善一些生物应激指标。方法：采用单组前测后测准实验设计。我们招募了42名成年志愿者参加一个标准的8周正念减压计划。主要结果是心理健康（感知压力、焦虑和意识）和与压力相关的生物标志物（收缩压和舒张压、唾液皮质醇、IL-6和IL-8水平、血浆类胡萝卜素浓度）。结果：正念减压能降低应激（p = 0.002）和焦虑（p = 0.05），提高意识（p = 0.01）。MBSR还显著降低收缩压和舒张压（p = 0.02; p = 0.001），皮质醇（p = 0.01）， IL-6和IL-8促炎细胞因子（p = 0.02; p = 0.03），增强类胡萝卜素（p = 0.03）。我们发现Δ PSS与Δ stail - y1 （r = 0.62, p = 0.008）、Δ stail - y1与Δ IL8 （r = 0.74, p = 0.0007）、Δ PSS与Δ IL8 （r = 0.5, p = 0.04）呈正相关。Δ PSS与Δ MAAS （r = -0.77, p = 0.0003）、Δ STAI-Y1与Δ MAAS （r = -0.51, p = 0.04）、Δ MAAS与Δ IL8 （r = -0.68, p = 0.003）呈显著负相关。结论：这些初步数据表明MBSR方案显著改善了所有分析参数。这个程序可以通过减少神经系统的激活和皮质醇水平来帮助应对压力和焦虑，降低血压。通过调节皮质醇水平，正念减压可以降低包括高血压在内的许多疾病的炎症和氧化应激反应。需要进一步的研究来揭示正念与其对人类健康的影响之间的复杂关系。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Psychology Health & Medicine PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

200

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Psychology, Health & Medicine is a multidisciplinary journal highlighting human factors in health. The journal provides a peer reviewed forum to report on issues of psychology and health in practice. This key publication reaches an international audience, highlighting the variation and similarities within different settings and exploring multiple health and illness issues from theoretical, practical and management perspectives. It provides a critical forum to examine the wide range of applied health and illness issues and how they incorporate psychological knowledge, understanding, theory and intervention. The journal reflects the growing recognition of psychosocial issues as they affect health planning, medical care, disease reaction, intervention, quality of life, adjustment adaptation and management. For many years theoretical research was very distant from applied understanding. The emerging movement in health psychology, changes in medical care provision and training, and consumer awareness of health issues all contribute to a growing need for applied research. This journal focuses on practical applications of theory, research and experience and provides a bridge between academic knowledge, illness experience, wellbeing and health care practice.