Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-7drxs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-21T06:54:39.117Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Trait Mindfulness at Baseline Predicts Increases in Telomerase Activity Over Time

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

F.S. Bersani
Affiliation:
Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Roma, Italy
A. Gilbert
Affiliation:
University of California San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco, USA
M. Coccia
Affiliation:
University of California San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco, USA
C. Saron
Affiliation:
University of California Davis, Center for Mind and Brain, Davis, USA
E. Epel
Affiliation:
University of California San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco, USA

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction.

Preliminary investigations of cross-sectional samples have linked trait mindfulness with measures related to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-mediated stress response and to the inflammatory system, suggesting that this is one potential pathway linking mindfulness based interventions and health. However, no previous studies explored the association between the trait mindfulness construct and markers of cellular ageing.

Methods.

In the current study we examined in a sample of healthy mothers (n = 92) of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (i.e. women showing high levels of chronic psychological stress) the prospective associations between a multidimensional scale of trait mindfulness, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and telomerase activity (TA), a marker of cellular ageing and telomere homeostasis. Participants’ trait mindfulness and TA were assessed at baseline as well as 9 and 18 month follow-up.

Results.

Analysis showed that higher levels of baseline mindfulness on FFMQ observation and describe subscales were related to increase in TA from baseline to 9 month (r = 0.27, P = 0.03 and r = 0.24, P = .04, respectively). Additionally, the FFMQ Describe subscale was related to increase in TA from baseline to 18 month (r = .30, P = .02). Results are reported following covariate adjustment of age, BMI, ethnicity, and education.

Discussion.

Our results showed that higher levels of baseline mindfulness are associated with higher increases in TA after 9 months and 18 months, with increased TA reportedly being associated with decreased oxidative damage, increased telomere length and overall more functional cellular physiology. These findings support a role of mindfulness-related interventions to increase general and mental health.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
e-Poster Viewing: Psychotherapy
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.