NCT01835457

Concentration/Meditation Limits Inflammation

Concentration/Meditation as a Novel Means to Limit Inflammation: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Radboud University Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Auto-immune diseases are characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response against tissues in the body and represent a major health care burden. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β play a central role in the pathophysiology of many auto-immune diseases. Innovative therapies aimed at limiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a more physiological manner are warranted. In previous research conducted in an individual known as "the iceman", the investigators found that, through a autodidact concentration/meditation technique, he appears to mount a controlled stress response, characterized by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and enhanced production of cortisol, both of which are known to result in immunosuppression. In accordance, while practicing this concentration/meditation technique, the inflammatory response during human endotoxemia (lipopolysaccharide \[LPS\] administration) was remarkably low in this individual. Therefore, this technique could provide a novel means of controlling the inflammatory response. However, the aforementioned results were obtained in just one subject, and hence can not serve as scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the concentration/meditation technique. The iceman claims that he can teach this technique to other subjects within a relatively short time frame. Therefore, in the present study the investigators wish to investigate the effect of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the inflammatory response during experimental human endotoxemia in a controlled manner, by comparing a group of subjects that are trained by "the iceman" and practice the concentration/meditation technique with a group of subjects which do not.

Conditions

• Autoimmune Diseases

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Lipopolysaccharide	LPS is used to elicit an inflammatory response in all subjects.
BEHAVIORAL	Concentration/meditation	A self-taught concentration/meditation technique that Mr Wim Hof developed himself, characterized by cycles consisting of a few minutes of hyperventilation followed by breath holding for up to 1-2 minutes and deep concentration (mindset).

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-02-01
• Primary completion: 2013-06-01
• Completion: 2013-07-01
• First posted: 2013-04-19
• Last updated: 2013-07-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands