Investigation of gene expression changes after mindfulness awareness program or health education program. Investigation of gene expression changes after mindfulness awareness program or health education program

Research shows that mindfulness practice can alter the expression of genes associated with energy metabolism, telomere maintenance, inflammatory and stress response. The aim of this study was to determine if mindfulness awareness practice (MAP) or health education program (HEP) might reverse cognitive impairment and/or prevent further cognitive decline in 60 subjects (aged 60-90). We investigated the gene expression changes in subject with mild cognitive impairment randomized to either group after 9 months. We used Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 array to determine the differential gene expression between Pre- and Post-treatment samples from MAP and HEP group. Overall design: This is an intervention study with a control group of HEP participants. Sixty subjects with mild cognitive impairment were randomised to either MAP or HEP group. MAP participants were taught mindfulness awareness practice techniques. HEP participants were taught healthy living topics related to maintaining and improving cognitive function. Total of 18 sessions were conducted for 40 minutes weekly for 12 weeks and thereafter 40 minutes monthly for 6 months. Blood sample (1-3ml) was collected in Tempus Blood RNA Tube from 51 subjects before the start of intervention (Pre-treatment) and 36 subjects after nine months (Post-treatment)

研究表明，正念练习可改变与能量代谢、端粒维持、炎症及应激反应相关的基因表达。本研究旨在探究正念觉知练习（mindfulness awareness practice, MAP）与健康教育项目（health education program, HEP）是否可逆转60名年龄介于60~90岁的轻度认知障碍受试者的认知损伤，并阻止其认知功能进一步衰退。我们对随机分配至MAP组或HEP组的轻度认知障碍受试者，在干预9个月后检测其基因表达变化。本研究采用Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0基因芯片，检测两组受试者干预前后样本间的差异基因表达情况。

研究设计：本研究为设置HEP对照组的干预性研究。60名轻度认知障碍受试者被随机分配至MAP组或HEP组。MAP组受试者接受正念觉知练习技术培训；HEP组受试者则接受与维持及改善认知功能相关的健康生活主题教育。整个干预流程共包含18次课程：前12周每周开展1次，每次40分钟；后续6个月每月开展1次，每次40分钟。本研究在干预开始前（干预前）从51名受试者处采集1~3ml静脉血样，置于Tempus Blood RNA管中保存；并于干预9个月后（干预后）从36名受试者处采集同类血样。