Contemplative Mental Training Reduces Hair Glucocorticoid Levels in a Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of regular contemplative mental training on endocrine and psychological indices of long-term stress.

Methods

An open-label efficacy trial that comprised three distinct 3-month long modules targeting attention and interoception, socioaffective, or sociocognitive abilities through dyadic exercises and secularized meditation practices was conducted with healthy adults. Participants underwent the training for 3 or 9 months, or were assigned to a retest control cohort. Chronic stress indices were assayed at four time points: pretraining and after 3, 6, and 9 months. The main outcome measures were cortisol (HC) and cortisone (HE) concentration in hair and self-reported long-term stress.

Results

Of 362 initially randomized

SUBMITTER: Puhlmann LMC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8505163 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature