Tai Chi Meditation Effects on Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling in Lonely Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Older adults who experience loneliness have an increased risk of all-cause mortality and morbidity [1], and among the biological mechanisms implicated, increases in inflammation might contribute. In older adults reporting high levels of loneliness and/or psychological stress, nuclear factor (NF)-κB shows increased activity [2]. NF-κB is a transcription factor that may be an important mediator for the translation of social stress into inflammation [3] as NF-κB controls the expression of genes that code for multiple inflammatory cytokines [4], and stress activation of the sympathetic nervous system stimulates NF-κB [3]. A meditation technique, Tai Chi Chih (TCC), is thought to act on stress response pathways [5] that may be sensitized in lonely individuals due to hypervigilance for social threat and feelings of vulnerability. TCC is a multidimensional behavioral therapy that integrates moderate physical activity, deep breathing and meditation to promote regulation of emotional and affective responses to stress, with downregulation of sympathetic nervous system outflow [6]. Findings show that TCC and other meditation forms also reduce markers of inflammation [6, 7] and the expression of genes bearing NF-κB response elements [8]. However, the effect of TCC on levels of the NF-κB transcription factor has not been examined.
Given evidence that chronic stress leads to a progressive rise in inflammation in older adults [9], and that both stress and increased expression of genes…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 19 participants or records.
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