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Enhanced Psychosocial Well-Being Following Participation in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program Is Associated with Increased Natural Killer Cell Activity
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs have consistently been shown to enhance the psychosocial well-being of participants. Given the well-established association between psychosocial factors and immunologic functioning, it has been hypothesized that enhanced psychosocial well-being among MBSR participants would be associated with corresponding changes in markers of immune activity. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine changes in psychosocial and immunologic measures in a heterogeneous patient sample following participation in a MBSR program. DESIGN: A single-group, pretest/post-test design was utilized. SETTING: The intervention was conducted at an academic health center. SUBJECTS: This pilot study involved 24 participants (aged 28-72 years). Inclusion criteria were as follows: > or =18 years of age, English-speaking, and no known autoimmune disorder. INTERVENTION: The intervention was an 8-week MBSR program. OUTCOME MEASURES: Distress and quality of life (QOL) measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form Health Survey, respectively. Immunologic measures included natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activity and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Patients completed psychosocial assessments and provided a blood sample at baseline (pre-MBSR) and within 2 weeks post-MBSR. Significant improvements in anxiety and overall distress as well as across multiple domains of QOL were observed from baseline to post-MBSR. Reductions in anxiety and overall distress were associated with reductions in CRP. Patients who reported improvement in overall mental well-being also showed increased NK cytolytic activity from pre- to post-MBSR, whereas patients who reported no improvement in mental well-being showed no change in NK cytolytic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Positive improvement in psychologic well-being following MBSR was associated with increased NK cytolytic activity and decreased levels of CRP.
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“According to former study (Fang et al., 2010) reported, MBSR can achieve a decrease in anxiety and C- reactive protein levels in patients.”
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Marla Smille Pedrosa, C. R. U. Z., Reis, T. G., OLIVEIRA, A. C., Macêdo, M. M., de Bessa, J., & Oliveira, M. C. (2022) · Health Science Reports · doi:10.1002/hsr2.783 · Cited by 9
“Stress is a common issue among cancer patients and is associated with activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the main mediators released by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), namely norepinephrine, epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol.(3) Chronic stress affects most…”
BackgroundBurnett-Zeigler, I., Zhou, E., Martinez, J. H., Zumpf, K., Lartey, L., Moskowitz, J. T., Wisner, K. L., McDade, T., Brown, C. H., Gollan, J., et al. (2023) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-022-07012-2 · Cited by 9
Eisendrath, S. J. (2016) · Alternative Complementary & Integrative Medicine · doi:10.24966/acim-7562/100010 · Cited by 8
Tanaka, M., Anders, S. L., & Kinney, D. K. (2012) · Molecular and integrative toxicology · doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-812-2_14 · Cited by 7
Nontraditional Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korean Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Lee, J., Song, Y., Lindquist, R., Yoo, Y., Park, E., Lim, S.-J., Chung, Y., & Mathiason, M. A. (2017) · Rehabilitation Nursing · doi:10.1002/rnj.268 · Cited by 8
Leydon, G., Eyles, C., & Lewith, G. T. (2012) · European Journal of Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2012.05.003 · Cited by 7
Huang, X., Lv, J., Zhu, D., Peng, H., & Yu, T. (2025) · Biogerontology · doi:10.1007/s10522-025-10287-y · Cited by 7
“…Wirth et al. 2019; Wu et al. 2024; Zgierska et al. 2016) and six pre-post trials (Dalen et al. 2010; Dutcher et al. 2021; Eisendrath et al. 2016; FaNg et al. 2010; Gallegos et al. 2015; Shah et al. 2020); eight RCTs (Carlson et al. 2015; Gardner 2018; Gautam et al. 2019; Innes et al. 2018; KeNg…”
Sampaio, C. V. S., Lima, M. G., & Ladeia, A. M. T. (2016) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2016.08.005 · Cited by 6
Relationship Between Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Immune Function in Cancer and HIV/AIDS
Zeichner, R. L., Kibler, J. L., & Zeichner, S. B. (2013) · Cancer and Clinical Oncology · doi:10.5539/cco.v2n1p62 · Cited by 6
“, 2003, Webber, 2010) through chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system and hormone-release in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (Buckingham et al., 1997; Fang et al., 2010), as well as through maladaptive coping behaviors (Kendall-Tackett, 2010).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialFalaguera-Vera, F. J., Garcia-Escudero, M., Bonastre-Férez, J., Zacarés, M., & Oltra, E. (2020) · Preprints.org · doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0264.v1 · Cited by 5
“In line with this, several are the authors that have demonstrated beneficial health effects obtained from positive emotional stimulus, either reflected by the boosting of the immune system [35, 56,57], and effects in weight gain and increased vagal tone [58], among other.”
BackgroundMindfulness and Work-Related Well-Being
Klatt, M. D., Wise, E., & Fish, M. L. (2015) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22255-4_16 · Cited by 5
Mindfulness training enhances individual's well-being:A review
Liu, X. (2013) · Zhongguo xinli weisheng zazhi · Cited by 5
Robb, S. W., Haslam, A., Wirth, M. D., Gay, J. L., Middleton, L., Healy, M. L., & Hébert, J. R. (2019) · Complementary Medicine Research · doi:10.1159/000493124 · Cited by 5
Behavioral Medicine Methods in Treatment of Somatic Conditions
Białkowska, J., Juranek, J. F., & Wojtkiewicz, J. (2020) · BioMed Research International · doi:10.1155/2020/5076516 · Cited by 5
Falaguera-Vera, F. J., Garcia-Escudero, M., Bonastre-Férez, J., Zacarés, M., & Oltra, E. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17218044 · Cited by 4
“At the same time, and similarly to CBT and mindfulness, MT might engage patient ́s mind into relaxation, boosting happiness, and perhaps an immune, hormonal and neurotransmitter responses [24,32-35].”
BackgroundSawamoto, R., Nagano, J., Kajiwara, E., Sonoda, J., Hiramoto, T., & Sudo, N. (2016) · BioPsychoSocial Medicine · doi:10.1186/s13030-016-0075-3 · Cited by 3
“For example, wellbeing is associated with increased natural killer (NK) activity [46], while chronic psychosocial stress is associated with reduced NK activity [47–49].”
BackgroundMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Improves Well-being in Healthy Black Women: A Pilot Study
Hartwig, C. L., Watson‐Singleton, N. N., Ballour, E. D., Belfleur, C. S., Eaton, V., Logan, L. A., Phillips, B. N., Shannon, F. A., & McCormack, K. M. (2024) · Journal of African American Studies · doi:10.1007/s12111-024-09665-6 · Cited by 3
“…and immune markers including TNF-⍺ , NF-kB, improved antibody production, and natural killer cell activity have been shown to improve in healthy participants with MBSR and may be better markers to measure in future studies (Creswell et al., 2012; Davidson et al., 2003; Fang et al., 2010).”
Global landscape and hotspot analysis of meditation research in cancer: a bibliometric study
Han, Q., Wang, H., Wang, K., Fu, Y., Li, Z., Guan, X., Guo, H., & Zhang, C. (2025) · Journal of Cancer Survivorship · doi:10.1007/s11764-025-01784-7 · Cited by 3
“Secondly, meditation and stress reduction can improve patients’ mental status by enhancing NK cell lysis activity [61].”
Han, Y., Su, A., Xuli, Y., Lv, Y., & Jing, F. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1519192 · Cited by 2
Mindfulness in Participatory Medicine: Context & Relevance
Rogers, B., Christopher, M., Sunbay-Bilgen, Z., Fung, H.-N., Scott, J. A., Sarma, A. R., Gryde, C., Drury, N. M., & Beale, N. A. (2013) · Cited by 2
Lawindi, M. I. E., Shouman, T. H., Taher, E., Gohar, S. M., & Shehata, S. (2021) · Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.6089 · Cited by 2
“php/mjms/index These psychological interventions are inexpensive ways to alleviate the psychological distress [13] and possibly to improve the function of the immune system [14].”
Paoletti, P., Perasso, G. F., Lillo, C., Serantoni, G., Maculan, A., Vianello, F., & Giuseppe, T. D. (2023) · Journal of Offender Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/10509674.2023.2246449 · Cited by 2
Ford, K. M. (2016) · Digital Commons (Liberty University) · Cited by 2
Meta-analysis of Psychological Interventions on Breast Cancer Patients' Immune Function
Qi, L. Y., Wang, J., & Zhang, H. (2017) · International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) · doi:10.2991/icsd-16.2017.93 · Cited by 2
“Guided by a psychoneuroimmunologic framework that proposes that psychosocial factors may influence immunologic outcomes via sympathetic nervous system and neuroendocrine pathways [10], it is proposed that psychological interventions can not only bring out positive psychological effects, but also enhance immune functio…”
BackgroundNeuroimmunologie der Achtsamkeit
Heße-Husain, J., & Meßtorff, C. (2019) · FOM-Edition · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-25673-9_2 · Cited by 1
Fredrickson, B. L. (2025) · doi:10.1093/9780197754825.001.0001 · Cited by 2
O'Brien, P. G., & Fleming, L. (2012) · The Nurse Practitioner · doi:10.1097/01.npr.0000419299.87440.04 · Cited by 1
Lundgren, O. (2018) · Linköping University medical dissertations · doi:10.3384/diss.diva-148332 · Cited by 1
“published preliminary evidence for an increase in Natural Killer Cell (NKCell) activity, and decreased circulating CRP levels, if depression was improved [228].”
BackgroundA Quantitative Analysis of Mindfulness Practice as Self-Care for Social Workers in an Urban Setting
Diner, M. T. (2020) · Greenwich Social Work Review · doi:10.21100/gswr.v1i1.1102 · Cited by 1
“MBSR effectiveness to improve the immune system in response to a flu vaccine, the improved clearing of psoriasis, improve innate immunity and anxiety disorders (Davidson, et al., 2003; Fang et al., 2010; Kabat-Zinn et al., 1992, p. 199; Kabat-Zinn et al., 1998).”
BackgroundGarland, S. N. (2012) · Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) · doi:10.5072/prism/27123 · Cited by 1
Metadata
- Authors
- Fang, C. Y., Reibel, D. K., Longacre, M. L., Rosenzweig, S., Campbell, D. E., & Douglas, S. D.
- Affiliations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center (US)
- Thomas Jefferson University (US)
- Drexel University (US)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Fang, Carolyn Y.
- Venue
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2010-05
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 531-538
- ISSN
- 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7708
- PMC
- PMC2921566
- OpenAlex
- W2004305363
- Cited by
- 130
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 10.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- The Medicine Forum (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- Fox Chase Cancer Center
- National Cancer Institute (R01CA125069, P30 CA000697, K22CA107115, P30CA006927)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Keywords
- mindfulness-based stress reduction, psychosocial well-being, natural killer cells, C-reactive protein, anxiety, distress, quality of life, mind-body problem, immune function
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Anxiety, C-Reactive Protein, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Killer Cells, Natural, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Psychophysiology, Quality of Life, Stress, Psychological, Meditation
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