What Is the Molecular Signature of Mind-Body Interventions? A Systematic Review of Gene Expression Changes Induced by Meditation and Related Practices.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Systematic review of mixed study designs (not restricted to randomized trials)
PubMed 28670311 · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.00670
What was done
A systematic review searching PubMed through September 2016 for studies evaluating gene expression changes following mind-body interventions (such as mindfulness, yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, relaxation response, and breath regulation). Due to the limited literature, the authors included clinical and non-clinical populations across all study designs.
What was found
Eighteen studies were identified. The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or p-values. Overall, the reviewed studies associated mind-body interventions with downregulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, reversing the typical gene expression changes induced by chronic stress.
Why it matters
This review identifies a potential common biological mechanism—downregulation of pro-inflammatory NF-κB signaling—linking diverse mind-body practices to reduced risk of inflammation-related conditions.
Limits
The included literature is limited in size (18 studies) and comprises heterogeneous designs without restriction to randomized controlled trials. No quantitative meta-analytic pooling was reported in the abstract. Comparisons against active lifestyle controls, such as physical exercise or nutrition, remain uncharacterized.
Cited by
- supports Meditating 20 minutes a day alters the expression of hundreds of genes in the body.