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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Effects Of A Short-Term Mindfulness Intervention On Depression And Immune Function, Erin C. Walsh Jan 2011

Effects Of A Short-Term Mindfulness Intervention On Depression And Immune Function, Erin C. Walsh

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology and maintenance of depression. This study investigated the effects of a short mindfulness intervention on pro-inflammatory correlates of depression (IL-6 and TNF-α) and selfreported psychological health. Sixty-four college females were assigned to a four-week mindfulness training group or a contact-control group. Cytokines and psychological health were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up (mindfulness group only). IL-6 and TNF-α significantly decreased from baseline to post-treatment in the mindfulness group only; these changes were sustained at 3-month follow-up. No between-group differences in psychological health emerged. Although reductions in proinflammatory cytokines in the mindfulness …


Cardiovascular Reactivity And Recovery To Stressful Tasks Following A Mindfulness-Analog In College Students With A Family History Of Hypertension, Christoffer Grant Jan 2011

Cardiovascular Reactivity And Recovery To Stressful Tasks Following A Mindfulness-Analog In College Students With A Family History Of Hypertension, Christoffer Grant

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Ninety-seven undergraduate students with a family history of hypertension participated in a study that evaluated the effects of a brief mindfulness-induction on cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to two stressors. Participants were randomized to either a mindfulness-induction or control condition and were then exposed to the cold pressor task (CPT) followed by the mirror-tracing task (MT). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline, post-induction, as well as during and immediately following each stressor. There were no group differences in reactivity to either stressor. Participants in the mindfulness-analog condition experienced significantly greater latency to systolic blood pressure recovery following the …