title: A meta-analytic review of the effects of mindfulness meditation on telomerase activity.
abstract: The enzyme telomerase, through its influence on telomere length, is associated with health and mortality. Four pioneering randomized control trials, including a total of 190 participants, provided information on the effect of mindfulness meditation on telomerase. A meta-analytic effect size of d=0.46 indicated that mindfulness meditation leads to increased telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results suggest the need for further large-scale trials investigating optimal implementation of mindfulness meditation to facilitate telomerase functioning.
authors.affiliation: Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Electronic address: nschutte@une.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicola S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.affiliation: Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Malouff
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D019098:Telomerase / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase
keywords: Meditation; Meta-analysis; Mindfulness; Telomerase; Telomere