非習慣性靜坐者進行三天禪修對壓力和細胞激素表達的影響

The Impact of Three-Day Zen Meditation on Stress and Cytokine Expressions in Non-Habitual Meditators

短期禪修對身心的影響仍不清楚。本研究之目的為評估非習慣性靜坐者進行三天禪修對焦慮/壓力和細胞激素表達的影響。我們收集了成年人在沒有或有限靜坐經驗的情況下進行禪修前後的人口統計學數據、經絡電位傳導和三個與經絡相關的參數（即能量組成、上/下平衡、交感-迷走平衡指數）、情境與特質焦慮量表（STAI）和壓力知覺量表（PSS）的分數，以及細胞激素表達情況[腫瘤壞死因子-α（TNF-α）、干擾素-γ（IFN-γ）、白介素（IL）-1α、IL-1β、IL-4、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10、IL-11、IL-12p70、IL-13，轉化生長因子-β（TGF-β），顆粒球巨噬細胞聚落刺激因子（GM-CSF）]。根據禪修介入前所有受試者的平均細胞激素水平（即參考值），將受試者分為高細胞激素組和低細胞激素組。共招募了60名受試者（20名男性/40名女性）。經過三天的禪修後，所有經絡電位傳導均顯著增加（P < 0.001）。此外，能量組成也有所提高（P < 0.001），而上/下平衡（P = 0.024）和交感迷走-神經指數（P < 0.001）則顯著降低。情境與特質焦慮量表和壓力知覺量表的平均分數也顯著降低（P < 0.001）。在高細胞激素組和低細胞激素組中，大多數細胞激素的平均表達分別地顯著增加和減少，接近禪修前的平均水平。另外，禪修後發炎前期細胞激素和抗炎細胞激素的水平之間存在正相關。總的來說，三天的禪修課程與非習慣性靜坐者的經絡電位傳導顯著增加以及壓力/焦慮減輕相關。細胞激素的變化也顯示了免疫平衡的恢復。

Physical and emotional impacts of short-term Zen meditation remain unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of three days of Zen meditation on anxiety/stress and cytokine expressions in non-habitual meditators. Data on demographics, meridian electrical conductance and three meridian-related parameters (i.e., energy composition, upper/lower balance, index of sympathovagal balance), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, and cytokine expressions [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12p70, IL-13, transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)] were collected before and after Zen meditation in adults with or without limited experience of meditation. For each cytokine, the participants were grouped into high and low baseline cytokine groups based on the mean cytokine level (i.e., reference level) of all participants before intervention. Sixty participants (20 males/40 females) were recruited. Following three days of meditation, electrical conductance of all meridians was significantly increased (all P < 0.001). Moreover, energy composition was elevated (P < 0.001), while upper/lower balance (P = 0.024) and index of sympathovagal balance (P < 0.001) decreased. Mean STAI and PSS scores were also reduced (both P < 0.001). The mean expressions of most cytokines significantly increased and decreased in the high and low baseline cytokine level groups, respectively, approaching the mean pre-meditation levels. Furthermore, positive correlations were noted between levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines after meditation. In conclusion, a three-day Zen meditation program was associated with a significant increase in meridian electrical conductance and reduction in stress/anxiety among nonhabitual meditators. The changes in cytokine levels also suggested a restoration of immunological balance.