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