Relationship Between Meditation Depth and Waking Salivary Alpha‐Amylase Secretion Among Long‐Term MBSR Instructors

The purpose of this study was to characterize sympathetic activity by using waking salivary alpha‐amylase (sAA) concentrations in a group of long‐term meditation instructors and to examine the association between meditation (depth, dose and duration) and the waking alpha‐amylase response. Salivary a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Stress and health 2017-08, Vol.33 (3), p.298-306
Main Authors: Haslam, Alyson, Wirth, Michael D., Robb, Sara Wagner
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
alpha‐amylase
Amylases
Female
Humans
Male
Meditation
Middle Aged
Mindfulness
Personal development
Salivary alpha-Amylases - secretion
Secretion
Smoking
Stress
Time Factors
α-Amylase
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to characterize sympathetic activity by using waking salivary alpha‐amylase (sAA) concentrations in a group of long‐term meditation instructors and to examine the association between meditation (depth, dose and duration) and the waking alpha‐amylase response. Salivary alpha‐amylase samples were collected (immediately upon waking and at 15‐min, 30‐min and 45‐min intervals after waking) from mindfulness‐based stress reduction instructors to determine both the area under the curve and the awakening slope (difference in alpha‐amylase concentrations between waking and 30‐min post‐waking). It was determined through general linear models that neither years of meditation nor meditation dose were associated with the awakening sAA slope, but higher scores for meditation depth (greater depth) was associated with a more negative (or steeper) awakening slope [Quartile (Q)1: −7 versus Q4: −21 U/mL; p = 0.06], in fully adjusted models. Older age (p = 0.04) and a later time of waking (p 
ISSN:1532-3005
1532-2998
DOI:10.1002/smi.2706