The purpose of this study was to examine how participation in a 1 month intensive Insight (vipassana) Meditation retreat (a) affects biological markers of cellular aging, social affiliation, and inflammation, which are important for physical health, longevity, and behavior, and (b) to relate observed biological changes to baseline levels and changes in psychological traits, which may underlie improvements in personal adaptive functioning.
The investigators are specifically assessing the effects of retreat on telomere length and telomerase levels in participants' white blood cells, as well as plasma levels of interlukin-6 (IL-6), to assess how the retreat experience impacts these markers of cellular aging and inflammation. The hypotheses are that retreat participation will increase both telomere length and telomerase activity, but decrease IL-6 levels. The investigators will also assess the impact of retreat participation on oxytocin-a hormone involved in a number of physiological and behavioral processes, including affiliative bonds and stress responses-the hypothesis being that participation in the retreat will increase plasma oxytocin levels. The investigators will then explore how these and other biomarkers relate to psychological processes and personality traits, which may also be altered by participation in the meditation retreat.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
66
Retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center were led by teams of 6 experienced teachers. Participants practiced "noble silence"-refraining from eye contact as well as verbal and written communication-except during meetings with teachers. Teachers lead guided Insight meditation practices, as well as meditations on loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. The daily schedule consisted of sitting and walking meditation sessions (30-45 mins) totaling 8-10 hours/day, meals, and short work meditations (sweeping, dishes, etc.). Seated meditation was practiced as a group in a meditation hall with approximately 80 participants. Walking meditation took place in adjoining halls or on the grounds. Participants lived on-site during the retreat and were provided with a vegetarian diet.
University of California, Davis
Davis, California, United States
Telomerase
an enzyme that repairs the shortening of telomeres that occurs during aging
Time frame: change from the start of retreat to three weeks into the retreat period
Telomere length
the repetitive sequence of DNA that serves as a protective cap to eukaryotic chromosomes, which protects from degradation and instability and is related to longevity
Time frame: change from the start of retreat to three weeks into the retreat period
Interleukin-6
a primary measure of inflammation, which is influenced by psychological stress
Time frame: change from the start of retreat to three weeks into the retreat period
Oxytocin
an affiliative hormone associated with social bonding in both men and women, and which downregulates inflammatory cytokines
Time frame: change from the start of retreat to three weeks into the retreat period
Arginine Vasopressin
a less commonly studied affiliative hormone also associated with close social bonds
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor
a protein related to neuroplasticity, learning, and memory, which is decreased in depression
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α)
a family of proteins involved in generating and regulating the immune system
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Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
10 item scale designed to assess trait-anxiety (STAI; Spielberger et al., 1983)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Lifestyle Profile II
Assesses health-promoting lifestyle factors (Walker et al., 1987)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Experience in Close Relationships, short form
Assesses attachment anxiety (fear of rejection or abandonment) and avoidance (avoidance of intimacy and interdependence) (ECR-12: Lafontaine et al., 2015)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Mysticism Scale
Assesses mystical experience and religious interpretation (M-Scale; Hood, 1975)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Non-attachment Scale
Assesses non-attachment from a Buddhist perspective (NAS; Sahdra, Shaver \& Brown, 2010)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale
Assess five dimensions of wisdom: 1) Experience, 2) Emotional Regulation, 3) Reminiscence and Reflectiveness, 4) Openness, 5) Humor (SAWS; Webster, 2003)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Ego Resiliency Scale
Assesses the ability to adapt one's level of control temporarily up or down as circumstances dictate (EGO; Block \& Kremen, 1996)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
Assesses five facets of mindfulness: 1) Non-reactivity to Inner Experience, 2) Observing 3) Acting with Awareness, 4) Describing, and 5) Non-judging of Experience (FFMQ; Baer et al., 2006)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale
Assesses depressive symptomatology (CES-D; Radloff, 1977)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Psychological Wellbeing Scale
Assess autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance (PWBS; Ryff, 1989)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks apart
Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale
Assess three dimensions of wisdom: 1) Cognitive, 2) Reflective, and 3) Affective (3-DWS; Ardelt, 2003)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks
Big Five Inventory
Assesses extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, neuroticism (BFI; Goldberg, 1993)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale
Assesses non-acceptance to one's emotional responses, difficulty achieving goals, impulsiveness, lack of emotional awareness, access to emotion regulation strategies, emotional clarity (DERS; Gratz \& Roemer, 2004)
Time frame: two measurements, three weeks