Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Endothelial Function in Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in part due to endothelial dysfunction. Studies have suggested that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may have beneficial physiologic effects on cardiovascular disease risk; however, the potential beneficial effects of MBSR on endothelial function in CKD are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that MBSR improves endothelial function in patients with CKD. Methods: Participants with CKD (Stages III-IV) were enrolled and randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR versus the Health Enhancement Program (HEP), a structurally parallel control intervention to MBSR. Each intervention consisted of daily homework and 2.5hr weekly classes of mindfulness meditation (for MBSR) and health education (for HEP). Each intervention also included a day-long retreat. Endothelial function was quantified as brachial artery reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using peripheral artery tonometry (EndoPAT). RHI and offce blood pressure were obtained at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Intervention groups were also stratified into subgroups based on normal (RHI ≥2.10) and abnormal (RHI <2.10) baseline values for secondary analyses. Results: Data were obtained from 37 participants with CKD who were enrolled and randomized to MBSR (N=21) versus HEP (N=16). There were no differences in baseline characteristics, hemodynamics or RHI between groups. There were no significant differences in baseline versus end of study RHI within (HEP p=0.76; MBSR p=0.57) and between intervention groups (p=0.36). There was no difference in change in RHI after MBSR between the normal and abnormal RHI subgroups. Conclusions: MBSR did not have significant effects on endothelial function measured as RHI among individuals with CKD. Supported by NIH Grants R33AT010457 and R01HL135183. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.