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Mind–body therapies and control of inflammatory biology: A descriptive review
Open accessAbstract
The use of mind-body therapies, including Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, and meditation, has grown steadily in recent years. These approaches have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life, and research has begun to examine the impact of these therapies on biological processes, including inflammation. A review of 26 randomized controlled trials was conducted to describe the effects of mind-body therapies (MBTs) on circulating, cellular, and genomic markers of inflammation. This qualitative evaluation showed mixed effects of MBTs on circulating inflammatory markers, including CRP and IL-6, and on measures of stimulated cytokine production. More consistent findings were seen for genomic markers, with trials showing decreased expression of inflammation-related genes and reduced signaling through the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. Potential mechanisms for these effects are discussed, including alterations in neuroendocrine, neural, and psychological and behavioral processes.
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“Other forms of behavioral interventions that have been used for the treatment of fear-and anxiety-based disorder, such as community-based educational intervention, exercise, yoga, and mediation, have also been associated with decreases in inflammation (Bower and Irwin, 2016;Pace et al, 2009;Villablanca et al, 2015).”
From Inflammation in Fear- and Anxiety-Based Disorders: PTSD, GAD, and Beyond (2017) · cites this paper as Bower and Irwin, 2016
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“Seven different randomized controls of mind-body therapies (ie, Tai chi, meditation, Yoga) have all been shown to reverse the pattern of leukocyte transcriptional alterations including activation of genes regulated by the proinflammatory NF-κB/Rel family (Bower and Irwin, 2016).”
From Sleep health: Reciprocal regulation of sleep and innate immunity (2017) · cites this paper as Bower and Irwin, 2016
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“What are the mechanisms through which these diverse approaches might lead to changes in inflammation, particularly changes in cellular and genomic markers? A number of conceptual models have been proposed to explain the effects of MBTs on a broad range of outcomes (Creswell and Lindsay, 2014; Gard et al., 2014; Holzel…”
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“Alterations in inflammatory processes are thought to play a role in many of the symptoms and conditions that are responsive to MBTs, including fatigue, depression, and pain (Irwin and Cole, 2011).”
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Items 101–200 of 325
Mitigating effects and mechanisms of Tai Chi on mild cognitive impairment in the elderly
Wang, X., Si, K., Gu, W., & Wang, X. (2023) · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.1028822 · Cited by 19
“However, RCTs that examined the effects of Tai Chi on inflammation-related gene expression consistently demonstrated reduced activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB; Bower and Irwin, 2016).”
BackgroundResultImpact of Tai Chi as an adjunct treatment on brain connectivity in geriatric depression
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Measuring Biologic Resilience in Older Cancer Survivors
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“…Direct neuroplastic effects on emotion regulation have been proposed through changes in the brain ’ s prefrontal regions, the limbic system, and the striatum, in neural connectivity, 98,188 and in the expression of genes linked to in fl ammatory responses 77,103,150,189 and stress-related pathways.”
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InfluentialSMAD transcription factors are altered in cell models of HD and regulate HTT expression
Bowles, K. R., Stone, T., Holmans, P., Allen, N., Dunnett, S., & Jones, L. (2017) · Cellular Signalling · doi:10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.12.005 · Cited by 20
Clinically relevant effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in individuals with asthma
Higgins, E. T., Davidson, R. J., Busse, W. W., Klaus, D. R., Bednarek, G., Goldman, R. I., Sachs, J., & Rosenkranz, M. A. (2022) · Brain Behavior & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100509 · Cited by 25
“After a 6-week mindfulness intervention, Bower et al. (2015) reported significant reductions in pro-inflammatory gene and transcription factor NF-κB activity in breast cancer survivors.”
BackgroundInfluentialParticipant characteristics of users of holistic movement practices in Australia
Vergeer, I., Bennie, J. A., Charity, M. J., van Uffelen, J. G. Z., Harvey, J. T., Biddle, S., & Eime, R. (2018) · Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.011 · Cited by 26
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Pokorski, M., & Suchorzynska, A. (2018) · Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology · doi:10.1007/5584_2017_52 · Cited by 19
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“Although only two of them focused on OA patients, evidence revealed that Tai Chi modulated the infl ammatory processes at both genomic and systemic levels (Figure 2).((65)) is widely involved in OA onset and development.”
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“In a review of 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga, tai chi, qi gong, or meditation, there was decreased expression of inflammation-related genes and reduced signaling through the proinflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κ B) (Bower & Irwin, 2016).”
BackgroundPorter, N. S., & Jason, L. A. (2022) · Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment · doi:10.2147/ndt.s379653 · Cited by 24
“It had also been found that meditation has led to increasing vagal tone,(81,82) as well as inflammatory-based diseases.(68,71,83,84) The benefits of meditation practice have also occurred with 90 minutes of yogic practice over a 2week period, which found increased expression of important antimicrobial peptides,(85) wh…”
BackgroundBenefits of Tai Chi Quan on neurodegenerative diseases: A systematic review
Wang, R., Zhou, H., Wang, Y.-C., Chang, X.-L., & Wang, X. (2022) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2022.101741 · Cited by 20
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“Moreover, Tai Chi was also shown to trigger angiogenesis and reduce the inflammatory state of the brain, thus bringing about cognitive improvement [24, 51].”
BackgroundVirtual Reality Therapy in Palliative Care: A Case Series
Seiler, A., Schettle, M., Amann, M., Gaertner, S., Wicki, S., Christ, S. M., Theile, G., Feuz, M., Hertler, C., & Blum, D. (2022) · Journal of Palliative Care · doi:10.1177/08258597221086767 · Cited by 17
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“It is possible that these may have additional benefits such as modulation of the inflammatory response [19] and reduction of central sensitisation in people with OA [20].”
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“chi) can reduce depression, anxiety and stress as well as improve immune dysregulation [59-62].”
BackgroundXie, Y. J., Tian, L.-Y., Hui, S., Qin, J., Gao, Y., Zhang, D.-X., Ma, T.-Y., Suen, L., Wang, H., Liu, Z.-M., et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1000594 · Cited by 16
di Meglio, A., & Vaz-Luis, I. (2024) · ESMO Open · doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102205 · Cited by 15
Yoga and pain: A mind-body complex system
Chopra, D., Stern, E., Bushell, W. C., & Castle, R. D. (2023) · Frontiers in Pain Research · doi:10.3389/fpain.2023.1075866 · Cited by 15
Bethea, T. N., Zhai, W., Zhou, X., Ahles, T. A., Ahn, J., Cohen, H. J., Dilawari, A. A., Graham, D. M. A., Jim, H., McDonald, B. C., et al. (2022) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.4682 · Cited by 12
Muñoz‐Vergara, D., Grabowska, W. A., Yeh, G. Y., Khalsa, S. B. S., Schreiber, K. L., Huang, C. A., Zavacki, A. M., & Wayne, P. M. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269300 · Cited by 15
“ing, and it has also been observed to change in response to physical activity and mind-body movement practices like yoga and tai chi [14].”
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Self-citationYao, L.-Q., Tan, J.-Y. B., Turner, C. T., & Wang, T. (2020) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102634 · Cited by 16
Cultivating a healthy neuro‐immune network: A health psychology approach
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Historical and cross-cultural perspectives on Parkinson’s disease
Blonder, L. (2018) · Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1515/jcim-2016-0065 · Cited by 14
Sotiropoulos, S., Papandreou, M., Mavrogenis, A., Tsaroucha, A., & Georgoudis, G. (2025) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.84342 · Cited by 13
Alternative Medicine: A Recent Overview
Akter, S., Hasan, M. N., Rokeya, B., Akhter, H., Gazi, M. S., Sabrin, F., & Kim, S. S. (2021) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.97039 · Cited by 19
“Other alternative practices namely exercise, mind–body treatments like t’ai chi, qigong, yoga, meditations, massage, acupuncture, and moxibustion may decrease pain intensity by reducing circulatory concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IL-18, C-reactive protein and other circulatory inflammatory cytok…”
BackgroundPuhlmann, L., Engert, V., Apostolakou, F., Papassotiriou, I., Chrousos, G., Vrtička, P., & Singer, T. (2019) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55250-3 · Cited by 13
Clinical research on Tai Chi: a review of health benefits
Teng, Y., Luo, W., Zhou, J., Wang, M., Wu, J., Nie, X., Sun, C., Liang, Z., Liu, B., Zhang, F., et al. (2024) · Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine · doi:10.1097/hm9.0000000000000097 · Cited by 14
“Modification of the inflammatory process plays a pivotal role in the health benefits of mind-body therapies such as Tai Chi [183] .”
Can Yogic Breathing Techniques Like Simha Kriya and Isha Kriya Regulate COVID-19-Related Stress?
Rain, M., Subramaniam, B., Avti, P., Mahajan, P., & Anand, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635816 · Cited by 16
Meditation and Immune Function: The Impact of Stress Management on the Immune System
Thibodeaux, N., & Rossano, M. J. (2018) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.1804032 · Cited by 17
“Mindfulness interventions, however, are known to reduce stress, and have been shown to decrease proinflammatory cytokines, including: IL-6 [45, 48, 49], TNF-α [50, 51], CRP [45, 52-54], and NFκB [48, 52, 55-58].”
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The Influence of Meditative Interventions on Immune Functioning: A Meta-Analysis
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“…meditation/mindfulness interventions suggesting a possible down-regulation of expression and secretion of specific systemic inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL-6) via top-down neuro-Muñoz-Vergara immune pathways (i.e., the HPA axis and the ANS) (Black and Slavich, 2016; Bower and Irwin, 2016).”
InfluentialSmall “doses” of inflammation initiate social sickness behavior
Lindsay, E. K. (2022) · Brain Behavior and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2022.02.012 · Cited by 12
A paradox of social distancing for SARS-CoV-2: loneliness and heightened immunological risk
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Reis, J. C., Travado, L., & Antoni, M. H. (2025) · International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100615 · Cited by 10
“When these systems are persistently activated, stress-related pathways can disrupt immune and inflammatory processes, contributing to a cascade of effects that exacerbate health conditions (Alotiby, 2024; Bower & Irwin, 2016; Gupta & Agarwal, 2024).”
Global research trends in mind body therapies: a bibliometric analysis
Zhang, Y., Li, W., Xu, S., Li, S., Sun, Z. H., Zhang, M., Zuo, Y., & Chen, S. (2025) · Journal of Translational Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12967-025-06389-3 · Cited by 7
“Currently, relevant research in this field has focused on exploring three areas: circulating markers of inflammation, cellular markers of inflammation, and gene expression of inflammatory pathways [75].”
Maniaci, G., Daino, M., Iapichino, M., Giammanco, A., Taormina, C., Bonura, G., Sardella, Z., Carolla, G., Cammareri, P., Sberna, E., et al. (2024) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3503 · Cited by 14
“Mind‐body therapies encompass a range of treatments, including yoga, qigong, tai chi, and mindfulness (Bower and Irwin 2016).”
Adjuvant yoga therapy for symptom management of functional dyspepsia: A case series
Setia, G., Ramanathan, M., Bhavanani, A., Prabu, B. S. M., B, V., & Ananthkrishnan, N. (2023) · Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100715 · Cited by 10
“Researches have shown that yoga helps in reduction of inflammatory cytokines like IL 6, TNF- alpha [38] as well reduced expression of pro-inflammatory genes [39].”
BackgroundQuixadá, A. P., Miranda, J. G. V., Osypiuk, K., Bonato, P., Vergara-Diaz, G. P., Ligibel, J. A., Mehling, W. E., Thompson, E. T., & Wayne, P. M. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.800727 · Cited by 15
Gunjiganvi, M., Mathur, P., Kumari, M., Madan, K., Kumar, A., Sagar, R., Sagar, S., Gupta, A., Mishra, B., Mir, A. H., et al. (2021) · World Journal of Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00268-021-06057-9 · Cited by 10
“Different MBTs including yoga have been shown to affect cytokines activity at circulating, cellular and genomic level [31].”
BackgroundLindsay, E. K. (2021) · Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100338 · Cited by 10
“, 2013), but provided less consistent evidence that they reduce IL-6 or other proinflammatory markers (for reviews, see (Black and Slavich, 2016; Bower and Irwin, 2016; Morgan et al., 2014)).”
BackgroundCheung, D., Yeung, W.-F., Chau, P., Chan, S., Chan, W. W., Yeh, C.-H., Lao, L., Zhang, Z., & Lin, C. C. (2025) · ESMO Open · doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2025.105565 · Cited by 9
“…20-22 modulating nerve growth factors 23 and ion channels 24,25 and/or reducing inflammation, 25,26 qigong may act on the central nervous system, stimulating endorphin production, 27 reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, 28,29 influencing neurotrophic proteins, 30 and/or encouraging mindfulness.”
Carney, L. M., Park, C. L., & Hingorany, P. (2023) · Psychology of Consciousness · doi:10.1037/cns0000362 · Cited by 9
“…cancer patients and survivors, such as cancerrelated fatigue (Xie et al., 2020), depression and anxiety (Hofmann et al., 2010), emotional wellbeing (Zhang et al., 2019), fear of recurrence (Lengacher et al., 2016), pain (Johannsen et al., 2016), and even immune functioning (Bower & Irwin, 2016).”
BackgroundNg, T. K. S., Feng, L., Fam, J., Rawtaer, I., Kumar, A. P., Rane, G., Cheah, I. K.-M., Mahendran, R., Lee, Y. K., Tan, E., et al. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph181910205 · Cited by 12
“This small sample size presents significant issues in achieving adequate statistical power, which could be one of the many reasons for the non-significant findings, instead of a lack of intervention effects [22].”
BackgroundSinger, M., Ott, M., Bliem, H. R., Hladschik-Kermer, B., Ocaña‐Peinado, F. M., Chamson, E., & Schubert, C. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.592379 · Cited by 7
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“58 59 A variety of mind–body exercises, including Tai Chi, have been shown to be associated with decreased inflammatory markers such as CRP,(26) monocyte-induced inflammation and immune regulation(60) in different clinical populations.(27) However, the effect of Tai Chi on the levels of circulating inflammatory mediat…”
BackgroundGut microbiota: new links between exercise and disease
Wu, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, Q., Yao, L., Ma, Z., & Chen, L. (2026) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2026.1746359 · Cited by 8
Fraile‐Μartinez, O., Montero, C. G., Álvarez-Mon, M. Á., Casanova-Martín, C., Faber, D. F., Presa, M., Lahera, G., López-González, L., Díaz, R., Saz, J. V., et al. (2025) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.01.014 · Cited by 10
Effects of Online Mindful Somatic Psychoeducation Program on Mental Health During the COVID-19
Yook, Y.-S., Lee, J.-H., Park, I., & Cho, H.-Y. (2024) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.30773/pi.2023.0304 · Cited by 8
“13 This somatic psychoeducation increases bodily relaxation 14 and reduces negative emotions in individuals.”
Bottaccioli, F., & Bottaccioli, A. G. (2023) · Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative · doi:10.1016/j.bbii.2023.100024 · Cited by 10
Melis, M., Schroyen, G., Blommaert, J., Leenaerts, N., Smeets, A., der Gucht, K. V., Sunaert, S. G., & Deprez, S. (2023) · Cancers · doi:10.3390/cancers15143632 · Cited by 9
“However, the evidence for alterations in peripheral cytokine levels after MBIs remains mixed [39,40].”
BackgroundThe Role of Yoga in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial
Dua, R., Malik, S., Kumari, R., Naithani, M., Panda, P. K., Saroha, A., Omar, B., Pathania, M., & Saxena, S. (2023) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.39320 · Cited by 6
Low, S. L. K., Cheema, B., Tan, H. Y., Birling, Y., & Zhu, X.-S. (2020) · Integrative Cancer Therapies · doi:10.1177/1534735420977671 · Cited by 8
New and emerging treatments for vaso-occlusive pain in sickle cell disease
Dampier, C. (2019) · Expert Review of Hematology · doi:10.1080/17474086.2019.1649131 · Cited by 7
To Boldly Go Where One Has Gone Before.
Kelley, K. (2017) · Brain, behavior, and immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2017.08.013 · Cited by 8
Wang, Y.-X., Wang, Y., Cui, Y., Su, W., & Xue, Y. (2025) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2025.103022 · Cited by 7
Yeh, G. Y., Ahn, A. C., Clark, J., Irwin, M. R., Kong, J., Lavretsky, H., Li, F., Manor, B. D., Mehling, W. E., Oh, B., et al. (2025) · Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1089/jicm.2024.0958 · Cited by 8
Self-citationLi, Z., Lei, D.-C., Ting, L., Yao, R., Wu, J., & Na, M. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1443516 · Cited by 7
“With the deepening of psychological and medical research, the role of positive thinking intervention in chronic Li et al. 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1443516 Frontiers in Psychology 02 frontiersin.org disease management has been widely recognized (Oberoi et al., 2020; Bower and Irwin, 2016).”
BackgroundInfluentialYadav, R., Kabra, S., Yadav, R. K., Nandy, A., Upadhyay, A., Jat, K. R., & Lodha, R. (2023) · Journal of Asthma · doi:10.1080/02770903.2023.2267113 · Cited by 7
“14,15 Benefits of Bhramari pranayama and om chanting in healthy adolescents and adults on pulmonary function have been well recognized.”
BackgroundOhlsson‐Nevo, E., Arvidsson‐Lindvall, M., Hellerstedt-Börjesson, S., Hagberg, L., Hultgren-Hörnqvist, E., Valachis, A., Wickberg, Å., & Duberg, A. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065939 · Cited by 7
Yoga, immunity and COVID-19: A scoping review
Shah, K., Adhikari, C., Saha, S., & Saxena, D. (2022) · Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care · doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2182_21 · Cited by 7
Schubert, C., Ott, M., Hannemann, J., Singer, M., Bliem, H., Fritzsche, K., Burbaum, C., Chamson, E., & Fuchs, D. (2021) · Integrative Cancer Therapies · doi:10.1177/1534735420977697 · Cited by 7
“16, 34, 52, 54, 55), physiotherapy 3 times (9, 22, 50), Tai Chi twice (12-hour units 9 and 37) and energy healing 6 times (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 40) (Figure 1).”
MethodThe effects of tai chi mind-body approach on the mechanisms of gulf war illness: an umbrella review
Reid, K. F., Bannuru, R. R., Wang, C., Mori, D. L., & Niles, B. L. (2019) · Integrative Medicine Research · doi:10.1016/j.imr.2019.05.003 · Cited by 9
Mindfulness Interventions in Breast Cancer Survivors: Current Findings and Future Directions
Haydon, M. D., Boyle, C. C., & Bower, J. E. (2018) · Current Breast Cancer Reports · doi:10.1007/s12609-018-0263-1 · Cited by 7
Self-citationTai Chi and Its Impact on Immune Mechanisms: A Comprehensive Review
Thelander, Y. Z., & Ring, H. Z. (2025) · Health · doi:10.4236/health.2025.175033 · Cited by 7
Exploring the Benefits of Yoga for Mental and Physical Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Patel, R., & Veidlinger, D. M. (2023) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel14040538 · Cited by 6
Zhang, F., Zhang, B., Wang, X., Huang, C., & Hu, B. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1105359 · Cited by 5
“96-point difference in the VAS scores (Bower and Irwin, 2016).”
Bottaccioli, F., Bottaccioli, A., Marzola, E., Longo, P., Minelli, A., & Abbate-Daga, G. (2021) · Endocrines · doi:10.3390/endocrines2030022 · Cited by 6
Sur, D., Sabarimurugan, S., & Advani, S. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18116116 · Cited by 6
“The beneficial effects of martial arts in QoL of cancer patients can be due to the relaxation response and the immunomodulatory [50,70] and hormonal effects [71].”
BackgroundMunoz, F., & Larkey, L. (2018) · Advances in Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.aimed.2018.03.001 · Cited by 7
Yu, M., Jin, Y., An, J., & Zheng, P. (2025) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106396 · Cited by 5
Management of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: An Integrative Approach
Andreazzoli, F., Yurkovski, I. L., Gowin, K., & Bonucci, M. (2025) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm14145080 · Cited by 5
“These effects are to occur through multiple pathways, including dampening systemic inflammation, as evidenced by reductions in CRP and IL-6, and transcriptional shifts that downregulate NF-kB activity while enhancing glucocorticoid receptor signaling [123].”
Tahran, Ö., Hüseyinsinoğlu, B. E., Yolcu, G., Saygı, E. K., & Yeldan, İ. (2025) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638288.2025.2465597 · Cited by 5
“Evidence also indicates that mind-body therapies are associated with sympathovagal balance, which is thought to reduce inflammation via decreased adrenergic signaling [74].”
Li, Q., Li, C., & Zhang, X. (2024) · Cellular and molecular neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s10571-024-01497-y · Cited by 5
“Meditation practice through psychophysiological self-regulation has shown anti-inflammatory benefits (Bower & Irwin 2016).”
MethodImmunologische Aspekte und Stressregulation bei Fatigue
Peters, E. M. J. (2024) · Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz · doi:10.1007/s00103-024-03952-z · Cited by 5
What can the psychoneuroimmunology of yoga teach us about depression's psychopathology?
Chiarpenello, C., & Brodmann, K. (2024) · Brain Behavior & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100877 · Cited by 5
“Yoga is a mind-body therapy emphasising the body-mind connection in healing (Bower and Irwin, 2016).”
BackgroundFang, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, B., Lau, M., Ho, Y.-F., Yang, Y., Shi, Y., Poon, E., Tse, A. C.-Y., & Sun, F. (2024) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075241239878 · Cited by 5
“Mind-body therapy (MBT), which is de fi ned as “ a group of therapies that emphasize use of the brain in conjunction with the body to assist the healing process ” (Bower & Irwin, 2016, p. 1), is recognized as one of the most ef fi cient non-pharmaceutical options for ADHD treatment.”
Borghesi, F., Cremascoli, R., Chirico, A., Bianchi, L., Moia, A. D., Priano, L., Piedimonte, A., Mauro, A., & Cipresso, P. (2024) · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04413-5 · Cited by 9
Han, J., Shi, M., Bi, L., Wang, L., & Cai, Y. (2023) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.6187 · Cited by 9
“Moreover, MBTs may affect neural regions that regulate downstream stress response pathways, including the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, through increased anti‐ inflammatory signaling, which may stabilise the circadian rhythm and thus improve sleep.(19) Mind‐body therapies include mi…”
BackgroundEffect of Tai Chi Quan on the Pressure Pain Thresholds of Lower Back Muscles in Healthy Women
Wang, R., Chang, X., Kiartivich, S., & Wang, X.-Q. (2022) · Journal of Pain Research · doi:10.2147/jpr.s353465 · Cited by 5
“Also, the blood flow of the trunk and lower extremity muscles increases during exercise, which may promote the metabolism of inflammatory products and thus improve the pain threshold.(39) Unlike daily physical activities, TCQ involves more brain activity.”
BackgroundMuñoz‐Vergara, D., Schreiber, K. L., Langevin, H. M., Yeh, G. Y., Zhu, Y., Rist, P. M., & Wayne, P. M. (2022) · Global Advances in Health and Medicine · doi:10.1177/2164957x221145876 · Cited by 6
“Simultaneously to these bottom-up changes, top-down influences may also be importantly activated by MBMTs practice, including modulation of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) through the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and catecholamines (adrenaline and…”
BackgroundYao, L.-Q., Tan, J.-Y. B., Turner, C. T., & Wang, T. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048115 · Cited by 9
Ewais, T., Begun, J., Kenny, M., Headey, A., & Kisely, S. (2019) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/14432 · Cited by 5
“Mindfulness-based interventions have been increasingly trialed in IBD patients because of their potential to treat both depression and IBD [10,11], as well as attenuating immune system abnormalities, thereby improving the course of IBD [12,13].”
BackgroundThe Role of Mind–Body Approaches in Promoting Healthcare Engagement and Positive Behavior Change
Kraemer, K. M., Luberto, C. M., Hall, D. L., & Yeh, G. Y. (2020) · Respiratory medicine · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-44889-9_9 · Cited by 5
A Multimodal Transformer-Based Framework for Emotion Analysis in Multilingual Video Content
Yakut, S., Tuten, Y. T., Caglar, E., & Aktaş, M. S. (2026) · Computers · doi:10.3390/computers15020077 · Cited by 5
Poon, E. T., Wong, P.-S., Kong, A. P. S., & Ali, A. (2025) · EClinicalMedicine · doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103606 · Cited by 4
Consciousness, Placebo Effects, and the Therapeutic Allure of Psychoneuroimmunology
Tresker, S. (2022) · Perspectives in biology and medicine · doi:10.1353/pbm.2022.0000 · Cited by 4
“Mindfulness has been deemed to “focus on conscious and intentional mental activities” (Bower and Irwin 2016).”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Bower, J. E., & Irwin, M. R.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bower, Julienne E.
- Venue
- Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-01
- Volume
- 51
- Pages
- 1-11
- ISSN
- 0889-1591 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4679419
- OpenAlex
- W758061270
- Cited by
- 388
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 50 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 13
- FWCI
- 2.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Brain Behavior and Immunity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000124)
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG026364, R01AG034588, P30AG028748)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL079955, R01HL095799)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA032922)
- National Cancer Institute (R01CA160245, R01CA160427, R01CA119159)
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Biofield Effects and Biophysics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Keywords
- mind-body interventions, inflammation, Tai Chi, qigong, yoga, meditation, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, cytokine production, NF-κB signaling, inflammatory gene expression, neuroendocrine mechanisms, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, C-Reactive Protein, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Yoga, Gene Expression, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Cytokines, Treatment Outcome, Inflammation Mediators, Meditation, Tai Ji, Mind-Body Therapies, Young Adult
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