A meta-analytic review of the effects of mindfulness meditation on telomerase activity.


Author: Schutte NS1, Malouff JM2.

Affiliation: 1Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Electronic address: nschutte@une.edu.au. 2Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Conference/Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Date published: 2014 Apr
Other:
 Volume ID: 42   ,  Pages: 45-8   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.12.017   ,  Word Count: 88  
    Abstract

The enzyme telomerase, through its influence on telomere length, is associated with health and mortality. Four pioneering randomized control trials, including a total of 190 participants, provided information on the effect of mindfulness meditation on telomerase. A meta-analytic effect size of d=0.46 indicated that mindfulness meditation leads to increased telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results suggest the need for further large-scale trials investigating optimal implementation of mindfulness meditation to facilitate telomerase functioning.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Meditation, Meta-analysis, Mindfulness, Telomerase, Telomere



PMID: 24636500