Resting state functional connectivity changes following mindfulness-based stress reduction predict improvements in disease control for patients with asthma.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized controlled trial in humans
PubMed 37924961 · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2023.10.026
What was done
Adults with asthma were randomized to either an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program or a waitlist control group. Resting-state functional connectivity was evaluated via fMRI before randomization, immediately post-intervention, and 4 months post-intervention using key salience network seed regions. Investigators assessed group differences in functional connectivity trajectories and examined associations with changes in mindfulness, clinical asthma control, and inflammatory biomarkers.
What was found
Participants in the MBSR group exhibited significantly greater increases in functional connectivity between salience network regions relative to waitlist controls. Enhanced functional connectivity between the salience network and regions supporting attention control and emotion regulation correlated with improvements in asthma control. Improvements in inflammatory biomarkers were associated with decreased functional connectivity between the salience network and other brain networks. The abstract reports directional associations without quantitative values or effect sizes.
Why it matters
This study outlines potential neural mechanisms—specifically resting salience network reorganization—linking mindfulness training to reduced peripheral inflammation and better clinical management in chronic airway disease.
Limits
The abstract does not state the sample size, specific inflammatory biomarkers measured, or numerical effect sizes. The use of an inactive waitlist comparator rather than an active control limits the ability to rule out non-specific intervention effects.
Cited by
- supports Mindfulness or awareness meditation alters brain function and positively modulates the inflammatory response in the lungs.