| Learning Objective #1: Understand the relationship between a nonpharmacological intervention, mindfulness meditation, and secretory immunoglobulin A, an immune marker in saliva | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Understand the influence of social support within the comparison group and its impact on perceived stress and tension headaches |
The objective of this study was to test a nonpharmacologic intervention, mindfulness meditation, on perceived stress, tension headache relief, and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva (sIgA). Design: A mixed pre-/post-experimental design with pre-/post-longitudinal measurements was used to examine the research questions. Population and Sample: Sixty-four adults with tension headaches were recruited from the Southwestern United States. The sample consisted of 50 women and 14 men with tension headaches, aged 18–70; 34 were randomly assigned to an intervention group and 30 to a comparison group. Intervention and Outcome Variables: Intervention participants received 8-weeks of mindfulness meditation, 2 hours a week. Comparison participants received an 8-week educational class in headaches, 1½ hours a week. Three research questions examined: (1) Are there differences in the eight study variables (perceived stress, sIgA, and tension headache intensity and duration) between the intervention and comparison groups? (2) What combination of variables best explains sIgA and tension headache intensity and duration? (3) How do group, gender, payment, and religious background affect changes in headache intensity and duration over time?
Methods: The analysis used ANCOVA, multiple regression, and growth curve analysis to answer research questions. Findings: Analysis results indicated that (1) the intervention group had a significantly higher post-treatment sIgA level than the comparison group; (2) with both groups, 62% of the explained variance in headache duration post-test was explained by its pre-test, sIgA pre-test, and stress post-test; (3) group, gender, payment, or religious background did not relate to a significant decrease in headache symptoms in either group. Conclusions: The intervention of mindfulness meditation affected an increase in sIgA level, and did not cause significant changes in perceived stress or tension headaches. Implications: Advanced practice nurses can teach their patients mindfulness meditation to enhanced immune function and possibly decrease stress-related symptoms, such as headache pain.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004