Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology
Date Submitted: Aug 17, 2024
Date Accepted: Nov 13, 2024
Effect of a Web-Based Heartfulness Program on Mental Wellbeing, Biomarkers and Gene Expression Profile of Health Care Students: A Randomized study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Healthcare students are prone to high levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health issues, and it is essential to address these challenges. Changes in stress levels may correlate with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and gene expression. Meditative practices have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
Objective:
The current study aims to assess the effects of an online Heartfulness meditation program on mental well-being, DHEA-S, IL-6, and gene expression profile.
Methods:
The enrolled participants were randomized to the Heartfulness meditation and control groups and completed a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) at baseline and after week 12. Gene expression with mRNA sequencing, DHEA-S, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were also measured at baseline and the completion of the 12 weeks.
Results:
Of the 78 enrolled participants, 42 were randomized to the Heartfulness group and 36 to the control group. The PSS scores in the Heartfulness group showed a statistically significant reduction (19.71 (5.09) to 16.29, p<.001) compared to the control group (21.87 (4.64) to 20.58 (6.46), p=.307). The DASS scores showed a statistically significant reduction in the Heartfulness group (21.15 (9.56) to 15.41 (7.87), p<0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in the DASS scores in the control group (22.42 (9.88) to 26.13 (9.68), p=0.040). DHEA-S levels showed a statistically significant increase in the Heartfulness group (251.71 (80.98) to 302.74 (123.56), p=.002) compared to the control group (285.33 (112.14) to 309.90 (136.90), p=.101). IL-6 levels showed a statistically significant difference in both the groups (4.93 (1.35) to 3.67 (1.0), p<.001(Heartfulness group); 4.52 (1.40) to 2.72 (1.74), p<.001(Control group)). The gene expression profile with mRNA sequencing identified a total of 875 genes to be upregulated, 1539 genes downregulated in the Heartfulness group compared to baseline, and 292 genes were found to be upregulated and 1180 downregulated in the post-Heartfulness group compared to the post-control group.
Conclusions:
Heartfulness practice was associated with decreased depression, anxiety, and stress scores and improved health measures with increased levels of DHEA-S. Both groups had a decrease in IL-6 levels. The gene expression data point toward possible mechanisms of alleviation of symptoms of stress and depression. Clinical Trial: The study was registered with trial number, ISRCTN82860715 (date of registration: April 6, 2022).
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