***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Objective : The underlying changes in biological processes that are associated with reported changes in mental and physical health in response to meditation have not been systematic ally explored . We performed a r and omized , controlled study on the effects on brain and immune function of a well‐known and widely used 8‐week clinical training program in mindfulness meditation applied in a work environment with healthy employees . Methods : We measured brain electrical activity before and immediately after , and then 4 months after an 8‐week training program in mindfulness meditation .  Twenty‐five subjects were tested in the meditation group . A wait‐list control group ( N = 16 ) was tested at the same points in time as the meditators . At the end of the 8‐week period , subjects in both groups were vaccinated with influenza vaccine . Results : We report for the first time significant increases in left‐sided anterior activation , a pattern previously associated with positive affect , in the meditators compared with the nonmeditators . We also found significant increases in antibody titers to influenza vaccine among subjects in the meditation compared with those in the wait‐list control group . Finally , the magnitude of increase in left‐sided activation predicted the magnitude of antibody titer rise to the vaccine . Conclusions : These findings demonstrate that a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain and immune function . These findings suggest that meditation may change brain and immune function in positive ways and underscore the need for additional research Objectives : This r and omized controlled trial was conducted to examine immune recovery following breast cancer ( BC ) therapy  and evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy ( MBSR ) on immune recovery with emphasis on lymphocyte subsets , T cell activation , and production of T-helper 1 ( Th1 ; interferon [IFN]-γ ) and T-helper 2 ( Th2 ; interleukin-4 [ IL-4 ] ) cytokines . Method : Participants who completed the study consisted of 82 patients diagnosed with Stage 0–III BC , who received lumpectomy and adjuvant radiation ± chemotherapy .  Patients were r and omized into an MBSR(BC ) intervention program or a control ( usual care ) group . Immune cell measures were assessed at baseline and within 2 weeks after the 6-week intervention .  The numbers and percentages of lymphocyte subsets , activated T cells , and Th1 and Th2 cells in peripheral blood sample s were determined by immunostaining and flow cytometry . Results : Immune subset recovery after cancer treatment showed positive associations with time since treatment completion . The B and natural killer ( NK ) cells were more susceptible than T cells in being suppressed by cancer treatment . Women who received MBSR(BC )  had T cells more readily activated by the mitogen phytohemagglutinin ( PHA ) and an increase in the Th1/Th2 ratio . Activation was also higher for the MBSR(BC ) group if < 12 weeks from the end of treatment and women in MBSR(BC ) < 12 weeks had higher T cell count for CD4 + . Conclusion : MBSR(BC ) promotes a more rapid recovery of functional T cells capable of being activated by a mitogen with the Th1 phenotype , whereas substantial recovery of B and NK cells after completion of cancer treatment appears to occur independent of stress-reducing interventions We propose a model wherein chronic stress results in glucocorticoid receptor resistance ( GCR ) that , in turn , results in failure to down-regulate inflammatory response . Here we test the model in two viral-challenge studies . In study 1 , we assessed stressful life events , GCR , and control variables including baseline antibody to the challenge virus , age , body mass index ( BMI ) , season , race , sex , education , and virus type in 276 healthy adult volunteers . The volunteers were subsequently quarantined , exposed to one of two rhinoviruses , and followed for 5 d with nasal washes for viral isolation and assessment of signs/symptoms of a common cold . In study 2 , we assessed the same control variables and GCR in 79 subjects who were subsequently exposed to a rhinovirus  and monitored at baseline and for 5 d after viral challenge for the production of local ( in nasal secretions ) proinflammatory cytokines ( IL-1β , TNF-α , and IL-6 ) . Study 1 : After covarying the control variables , those with recent exposure to a long-term threatening stressful experience demonstrated GCR ; and those with GCR were at higher risk of subsequently developing a cold . Study 2 : With the same controls used in study 1 , greater GCR predicted the production of more local proinflammatory cytokines among infected subjects . These data provide support for a model suggesting that prolonged stressors result in GCR , which , in turn , interferes with appropriate regulation of inflammation . Because inflammation plays an important role in the onset and progression of a wide range of diseases , this model may have broad implication s for underst and ing the role of stress in health The aim of the study was to determine changes in the rate of decline of immunological parameters after psychosocial group intervention .  Subjects were 26 asymptomatic HIV-infected homosexual men who participated in a cognitive-behavioral group therapy ( CBT ; n = 14 ) , or an experiential group therapy program ( ET ; n = 12 ) , both of 15 weeks duration . The outcome measures were changes in the decline of CD4 cell counts , and T cell proliferative responses to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies from preintervention to 24 months postintervention . No differences in the rate of decline of CD4 cells or T cell responses between the CBT and ET condition were found , and there were no significant changes in CD4 cell count from pre- to postintervention . However , those subjects who showed larger decreases in distress showed a smaller decline in CD4 cell counts . While the rate of decline in T cell responses was significantly less after both interventions , a similar positive change in T cell responses was found in a comparison group of 149 HIV-infected men with similar demographic , psychosocial and immunological characteristics who did not participate in one of the interventions . We conclude that the psychosocial intervention programs tested here did not cause changes in CD4 cell decline or T cell responses and that decreases in distress were related to increases in CD4 cell counts This article presents the results of two investigations , each measuring cellular immune function on 3 investigation days 1 week apart in 15 high and 15 low hypnotizable healthy subjects r and omly selected for three groups : ( 1 ) a guided imagery group receiving instructions to enhance cellular immune function : ( 2 ) a relaxation group which did not receive instructions regarding the immune system , and ( 3 ) a control group . Study 1 investigated changes in monocyte chemotaxis ( MC ) and lymphocyte proliferative response ( LPR ) to three mitogens , while natural killer cell activity ( NKCA ) was measured in study 2 . The results show similar patterns of brief decreases in LPR and NKCA immediately after intervention on all investigation days in both the imagery and relaxation groups . Increases in MC were found in both intervention groups on day 1 . On a follow-up investigation day in study 2 , a brief stress task yielded a slight increase in NKCA . In study 2 , the control group showed decreases in NKCA similar to those observed in the two intervention groups . In general there were no significant changes in preintervention immune function throughout the investigation period . When comparing the effects in high and low hypnotizable subjects , we found that high hypnotizables showed greater decreases in LPR and NKCA than low hypnotizables . There are several inconsistencies between the results of the limited number of investigations study ing the effects of guided imagery and relaxation on immune function . These differences may in part be explained by differences in methodology , time intervals between blood sampling , and subject characteristics such as age , health status and hypnotizability . The inconsistent results make it premature to make inferences about possible benefits of the application of these techniques in the treatment of immune related diseases , and further investigations are needed Background Previous research has provided evidence for the link between psychological processes and psychophysiological health outcomes . Psychological interventions , such as face-to-face or online cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT ) and serious games aim ed at improving health , have shown promising results in promoting health outcomes . Few studies so far , however , have examined whether Internet-based CBT combined with serious gaming elements is effective in modulating health outcomes . Moreover , studies often did not incorporate psychophysiological or immunological challenges in order to gain insight into physiological responses to real-life challenges after psychological interventions . The overall aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a psychological intervention on self-reported and physiological health outcomes in response to immune and psychophysiological challenges . Methods / design In a r and omized controlled trial , 60 healthy men are r and omly assigned to either an experimental condition , receiving guided Internet-based ( e-health ) CBT combined with health-related serious gaming elements for 6 weeks , or a control condition receiving no intervention . After the psychological intervention , self-reported vitality is measured , and participants are given an immunological challenge in the form of a Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin ( BCG ) vaccination . One day after the vaccination , participants are asked to perform several psychophysiological tasks in order to explore the effects of the psychological intervention on participants ’ stress response following the immune challenge . To assess the delayed effects of vaccination on self-reported and physiological health outcomes , a follow-up visit is planned 4 weeks later . Total study duration is approximately 14 weeks . The primary outcome measure is self-reported vitality measured directly after the intervention . Secondary outcome measures include inflammatory and endocrine markers , as well as psychophysiological measures of heart rate and skin conductance in response to the psychophysiological tasks after the BCG vaccination . Discussion The innovative design features of this study – e.g. , combining guided e-health CBT with health-related serious gaming elements and incorporating immunological and psychophysiological challenges – will provide valuable information on the effects of a psychological intervention on both self-reported and physiological health outcomes . This study will offer further insights into the mechanisms underlying the link between psychological factors and health outcomes and is anticipated to contribute to the optimization of health care strategies . Trial registration Nederl and s Trial Register , NTR5610 . Registered on 4 January 2016 Background : Although mindfulness meditation interventions have recently shown benefits for reducing stress in various population s , little is known about their relative efficacy compared with relaxation interventions . Purpose : This r and omized controlled trial examines the effects of a 1-month mindfulness meditation versus somatic relaxation training as compared to a control group in 83 students ( M age=25 ; 16 men and 67 women ) reporting distress . Method : Psychological distress , positive states of mind , distractive and ruminative thoughts and behaviors , and spiritual experience were measured , while controlling for social desirability . Results : Hierarchical linear modeling reveals that both meditation and relaxation groups experienced significant decreases in distress as well as increases in positive mood states over time , compared with the control group ( p<.05 in all cases ) . There were no significant differences between meditation and relaxation on distress and positive mood states over time . Effect sizes for distress were large for both meditation and relaxation ( Cohen ’s d=1.36 and .91 , respectively ) , whereas the meditation group showed a larger effect size for positive states of mind than relaxation ( Cohen ’s d=.71 and .25 , respectively ) . The meditation group also demonstrated significant pre-post decreases in both distractive and ruminative thoughts/behaviors compared with the control group ( p<.04 in all cases ; Cohen ’s d=.57 for rumination and .25 for distraction for the meditation group ) , with mediation models suggesting that mindfulness meditation ’s effects on reducing distress were partially mediated by reducing rumination . No significant effects were found for spiritual experience . Conclusions : The data suggest that compared with a no-treatment control , brief training in mindfulness meditation or somatic relaxation reduces distress and improves positive mood states . However , mindfulness meditation may be specific in its ability to reduce distractive and ruminative thoughts and behaviors , and this ability may provide a unique mechanism by which mindfulness meditation reduces distress Meditation practice s may impact physiological pathways that are modulated by stress and relevant to disease . While much attention has been paid to meditation practice s that emphasize calming the mind , improving focused attention , or developing mindfulness , less is known about meditation practice s that foster compassion . Accordingly , the current study examined the effect of compassion meditation on innate immune , neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress and evaluated the degree to which engagement in meditation practice influenced stress reactivity .  Sixty-one healthy adults were r and omized to 6 weeks of training in compassion meditation ( n=33 ) or participation in a health discussion control group ( n=28 ) followed by exposure to a st and ardized laboratory stressor ( Trier social stress test [ TSST ] ) . Physiologic and behavioral responses to the TSST were determined by repeated assessment s of plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and cortisol as well as total distress scores on the Profile of Mood States ( POMS ) . No main effect of group assignment on TSST responses was found for IL-6 , cortisol or POMS scores . However , within the meditation group , increased meditation practice was correlated with decreased TSST-induced IL-6 ( r(p)=-0.46 , p=0.008 ) and POMS distress scores ( r(p)=-0.43 , p=0.014 ) . Moreover , individuals with meditation practice times above the median exhibited lower TSST-induced IL-6 and POMS distress scores compared to individuals below the median , who did not differ from controls . These data suggest that engagement in compassion meditation may reduce stress-induced immune and behavioral responses , although future studies are required to determine whether individuals who engage in compassion meditation techniques are more likely to exhibit reduced stress reactivity In a prospect i ve r and omised 
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This is also relevant for clinical practice , as psychological interventions can possibly supplement , or at least partially replace , current drug treatments in various somatic conditions to reduce side effects