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Gepubliceerd in:

12-09-2022 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Biomarker Response to Mindfulness Intervention in Veterans Diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Auteurs: Itamar Shapira, Joshua Richman, Thaddeus W. W. Pace, Kelvin O. Lim, Melissa A. Polusny, Mark B. Hamner, J. Douglas Bremner, Mercy N. Mumba, M. Lindsey Jacobs, Patricia Pilkinton, Lori L. Davis

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 10/2022

Abstract

Objectives

This study evaluates the effects of treatment with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) compared to the active control, present-centered group therapy (PCGT), on morning plasma cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods

In a post hoc exploratory analysis, we pooled biomarkers and clinical outcomes of mindfulness, PTSD, and depression from two randomized controlled trials comparing MBSR (n = 104) to PCGT (n = 106) in U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate associations between changes in biomarkers and clinical outcomes from baseline to 9-week primary endpoint and 16-week follow-up endpoint.

Results

Cortisol levels were inversely related to self-reported PTSD symptoms at baseline (p = 0.02). Cortisol increased from baseline to 9-week endpoint for both groups, but significantly less so in the MBSR group compared to PCGT group (mean difference 1.69 ± 0.8 SE; p = 0.035). Changes in IL-6 and CRP did not differ between groups at either baseline or week 9. From baseline to week 9, increased mindfulness was significantly associated with increased cortisol (p = 0.02) and decreased PTSD and depression severity (p < 0.01). Increased IL-6 and CRP were significantly associated with decreased PTSD severity (p < 0.05), but not depression. Pooled analysis corroborated earlier findings that MBSR is significantly better than PCGT in improving clinical outcomes. Increased mindfulness was strongly associated with improved symptoms.

Conclusions

Increased mindfulness is associated with a recalibration of cortisol levels which may be indicative of therapeutic response, especially in patients with lower baseline cortisol. Furthermore, mindfulness-based practices improve symptoms of PTSD and depression in a significant correlation with self-reported levels of mindfulness.

Clinical Trial Registration (clinicaltrials.gov)

NCT01532999 and NCT01548742.

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Titel: Biomarker Response to Mindfulness Intervention in Veterans Diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Auteurs: Itamar Shapira
Joshua Richman
Thaddeus W. W. Pace
Kelvin O. Lim
Melissa A. Polusny
Mark B. Hamner
J. Douglas Bremner
Mercy N. Mumba
M. Lindsey Jacobs
Patricia Pilkinton
Lori L. Davis
Publicatiedatum: 12-09-2022
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 10/2022
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01969-6

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