Mindfulness: Why the Brain Matters to the Heart

As mindfulness is increasingly being implemented and adapted, more knowledge about its effectiveness and working mechanism is needed. In a meta-review (a review of reviews) we found that the 8-week trainings MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) and MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy) significantly improve anxiety, depression, and stress in a multitude of chronic diseases. For the working mechanism we assessed brain scans: a review and data from the Rotterdam Study show differences in activity, connectivity and structure in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, indicating that the training teaches a different automatic reaction pattern that is visible in the brain. Following the rationale that stress affects blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors, an RCT was performed in which online mindfulness was offered to heart patients. As primary outcome measure for heart functioning an exercise test was chosen (the six-minute walk test). One year after inclusion the mindfulness group walked 18 meter further compared to the control group. This indicates application possibilities for this patient population when the training is intensified. An adaptation of the 8-week protocol was tested in Borderline personality disorder (Mindfulness Based Emotion Regulation Therapy), which showed that patients could handle their emotions better. In another study we used Experience Sampling Method (ESM) to measure how affect and mindfulness interact: mindfulness and positive affect create an upward spiral, which could explain the found effectivity. Concluding, mindfulness training seems a suitable supplement to chronic car

Meditation and yoga practice are associated with smaller right amygdala volume: the Rotterdam study

To determine the association between meditation and yoga practice, experienced stress, and amygdala and hippocampal volume in a large population-based study. This study was embedded within the population-based Rotterdam Study and included 3742 participants for cross-sectional association. Participants filled out a questionnaire assessing meditation practice, yoga practice, and experienced stress, and underwent a magnetic resonance scan of the brain. 2397 participants underwent multiple brain scans, and were assessed for structural change over time. Amygdala and hippocampal volumes were regions of interest, as these are structures that may be affected by meditation. Multivariable linear regression analysis and mixed linear models were performed adjusted for age, sex, educational level, intracranial volume, cardiovascular risk, anxiety, depression and stress. 15.7% of individuals participated in at least one form of practice. Those who performed meditation and yoga

Web-based mindfulness intervention in heart disease: A randomized controlled trial

Background Evidence is accumulating that mindfulness training has favorable effects on psychological outcomes, but studies on physiological outcomes are limited. Patients with heart disease have a high incidence of physiological and psychological problems and may benefit from mindfulness training. Our aim was to determin

Online mindfulness as a promising method to improve exercise capacity in heart disease: 12-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

There is increasing evidence that mindfulness can reduce stress, and thereby affect other psychological an