scholarly journals Dose-response relationship of reported lifetime meditation practice with mental-health and wellbeing: A cross sectional study

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Ian Bowles ◽  
Jonathan Nicholas Davies ◽  
Nicholas T Van Dam
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Practice Time

Objectives: Experimental studies of meditation practice predominantly examine short-term programs and reveal modest benefits. Thus it is not clear to what degree these results represent how contemporary meditators practice nor the dose-response relationship between amount of practice and outcome. This study sought to characterize how contemporary meditators practice; examine any possible dose-response relationships between historical practice and measures of psychological wellbeing; and explore which characteristics of practice most strongly predict positive psychological outcomes.Methods: 1,668 meditators completed demographic and practice characteristics, and outcome measures assessing positive and negative affect, psychological distress, and life satisfaction.Results: We observed a positive relationship between historical meditation practice (accumulated lifetime hours) and improvements in psychological outcomes. Model fit was optimized with a generalized additive model, indicating non-linear effects. The strength of the relationship between practice time and outcomes was generally strongest for the first ~500 hours, before plateauing to some degree. Several practice types, including Vipassana (as taught by S.N. Goenka) and cultivating practices (e.g. compassion, lovingkindness) were more strongly associated with favorable psychological outcomes.Conclusions: Benefits of meditation accrue over time in a non-linear manner, and show variation based on the context within which the meditator practices. These results highlight the importance of understanding how the benefits of meditation accrue over longer time durations than typical standardized programs that have been subject to most empirical investigations in the field.

scholarly journals Setting-Specific and Symptom-Specific Association between Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Depressive Symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1249
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Ye ◽  
Jingya Huang ◽  
Liang Xia ◽  
Xiaojun Xu ◽  
Xiao Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Secondhand Smoke ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Shs Exposure ◽  
The Impact

Few studies have focused on the potential relationship between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to explore the potential association between SHS exposure and depressive symptoms and differentiate this association in setting-specific exposure and symptom-specific outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangdong province of China from September to December 2010 using a multistage sampling method to randomly sample adults aged 18 years and older. SHS exposure was defined as inhalation by non-smokers of the smoke exhaled from smokers for at least 1 day a week in the past 30 days. Depressive symptoms were measured using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. The zero-inflate negative binomial regression models were used to explore the associations between SHS exposure and depressive symptoms. A total of 2771 non-smokers were included in this study, with mean age of 49.6 ± 14.0 years and 70.3% of females. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher in participants with SHS exposure than in those without exposure (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–1.51), and there were similar positive associations for SHS exposure in medical facilities (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.17–1.61) and in schools (IRR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.20–1.77). Notably, there was a monotonically increasing dose-response relationship between frequency of SHS exposure and depressive symptoms. When differentiating this relationship by the dimensions of depressive symptoms, there were similar dose-response relationships for cognitive-affective and somatic symptoms. When differentiating this relationship by sex, only females showed a significant dose-response relationship. Our findings suggest dose-response relationships between SHS exposure and depressive symptoms in sex-specific and symptom-specific manners. Future longitudinal studies are needed to establish the biological mechanisms of the impact of SHS exposure.

scholarly journals A dose–response meta-analysis reveals an association between vitamin B12 and colorectal cancer risk

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1446-1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nai-Hui Sun ◽  
Xuan-Zhang Huang ◽  
Shuai-Bo Wang ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
Long-Yi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Total Vitamin ◽  
Linear Dose ◽  
Non Linear

AbstractObjectiveThe current meta-analysis evaluated the association between vitamin B12 intake and blood vitamin B12 level and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.DesignThe PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched. A dose–response analysis was performed with generalized least squares regression, with the relative risk (RR) and 95 % CI as effect values.SettingThe meta-analysis included seventeen studies.SubjectsA total of 10 601 patients.ResultsThe non-linear dose–response relationship between total vitamin B12 intake and CRC risk was insignificant (P=0·690), but the relationship between dietary vitamin B12 intake and CRC risk was significant (P<0·001). Every 4·5 μg/d increment in total and dietary vitamin B12 intake was inversely associated with CRC risk (total intake: RR=0·963; 95 % CI 0·928, 0·999; dietary intake: RR=0·914; 95 % CI 0·856, 0·977). The inverse association between vitamin B12 intake and CRC risk was also significant when vitamin B12 intake was over a dosage threshold, enhancing the non-linear relationship. The non-linear dose–response relationship between blood vitamin B12 level and CRC risk was insignificant (P=0·219). There was an insignificant association between every 150 pmol/l increment in blood vitamin B12 level and CRC risk (RR=1·023; 95 % CI 0·881, 1·187).ConclusionsOur meta-analysis indicates that evidence supports the use of vitamin B12 for cancer prevention, especially among populations with high-dose vitamin B12 intake, and that the association between CRC risk and total vitamin B12 intake is stronger than between CRC risk and dietary vitamin B12 intake only.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional analysis of respiratory ill-health among charcoal workers and its implications for strengthening occupational health services in southern Nigeria

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e022361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irikefe Paul Obiebi ◽  
Patrick Gold Oyibo
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Chest Tightness ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hazard Control ◽  
Exposure Levels

ObjectivesThis study was conducted to assess the concentration of air pollutants at charcoal sites, the dose-response relationship between site-based exposure levels to air pollutants and prevalence of respiratory symptoms among charcoal workers, and the measures these workers employ to safeguard their health.DesignCross-sectional but comparative designSettingCharcoal production kiln sites in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria.ParticipantsOverall 296 charcoal workers and age-matched, sex-matched and height-matched non-exposed traders (comparison group).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among charcoal workers while secondary outcomes included lung function indices as well as hazard control practices among charcoal workers.ResultsMajority (83.3%) of the sites had PM10and PM2.5values five times higher than the WHO standard. Charcoal workers were more likely to have respiratory symptoms; wheeze was statistically significant after adjusting for confounders, (OR 4.22; CI 1.37 to 12.99). The dose-response relationship between site-based exposure levels to air pollutants and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among charcoal workers was statistically significant for all symptoms except chest tightness (p=0.167). Mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were considerably lower among workers with differences of −0.22 (−0.42 to −0.05) L and −0.52 (-0.76 to −0.29) L, respectively, whereas FEV1/FVC ratio and peak expiratory flow rate were higher among workers with mean differences of 5.68 (3.59–8.82)% and 0.31 (-23.70 to 24.43) L/min, respectively; but the mean difference was significant only for the FEV1/FVC ratio. Charcoal workers had poor hazard control practices; only 3.4% reportedly used personal protective equipment.ConclusionAir pollutants at kiln sites were higher than WHO standards. Despite the significantly higher prevalence of wheeze, chest tightness and chronic cough among charcoal workers, their hazard control practices were inadequate. Charcoal workers should adopt appropriate hazard control practices, and use improved devices which emit minimal pollutants.

scholarly journals Dose-response relationship between very vigorous physical activity and cardiovascular health assessed by heart rate variability in adults: Cross-sectional results from the EPIMOV study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e0210216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Luís Wanderley de Sousa ◽  
Thatiane Lopes Valentim di Paschoale Ostoli ◽  
Evandro Fornias Sperandio ◽  
Rodolfo Leite Arantes ◽  
Antônio Ricardo de Toledo Gagliardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Dose–Response Relationship of Outdoor Exposure and Myopia Indicators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Various Research Methods

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciao-Lin Ho ◽  
Wei-Fong Wu ◽  
Yiing Mei Liou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Outdoor Exposure ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Prevalence Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Axial Elongation

Myopia in children has dramatically increased worldwide. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of outdoor light exposure on myopia. According to research data from 13 studies of 15,081 children aged 4–14 at baseline, outdoor light exposure significantly reduced myopia incidence/prevalence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–0.91, p < 0.00001; I2 = 90%), spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) by 0.15 D/year (0.09–0.27, p < 0.0001), and axial elongation by 0.08 mm/year (−0.14 to −0.02, p = 0.02). The benefits of outdoor light exposure intervention, according to pooled overall results, included decreases in three myopia indicators: 50% in myopia incidence, 32.9% in SER, and 24.9% in axial elongation for individuals in Asia. Daily outdoor light exposure of more than 120 min was the most effective intervention, and weekly intervention time exhibited a dose–response relationship with all three indicators. Subgroup comparisons revealed that interventional studies report greater benefits from outdoor light exposure compared with cohort and cross-sectional studies, and individuals with myopia in intervention studies experienced slightly greater benefits than individuals without, in terms of SER and axial elongation. Therefore, this study suggests 120 min/day of outdoor light exposure at school.

scholarly journals Breastfeeding and the risk of childhood cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Su ◽  
Xiaohui Sun ◽  
Liwen Zhu ◽  
Qin Yan ◽  
Peiwen Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Childhood Leukemia ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Linear Dose ◽  
Non Linear

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to quantitatively summarize the available evidence on the association of breastfeeding with the risk of childhood cancer. Methods A literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was performed to identify eligible observational studies published from inception to July 17, 2020. The categorical and dose-response meta-analysis was conducted by pooling relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Potential sources of heterogeneity were detected by meta-regression and stratification analysis. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias test were also carried out. Results Forty-five articles involving 475,579 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Among the thirty-three studies on the association between breastfeeding and risk of childhood leukemia, the pooled risk estimates were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.65–0.91) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.63–0.94) for ever versus non/occasional breastfeeding and longest versus shortest breastfeeding duration group, respectively. There was clear indication for non-linear dose-response relationship between breastfeeding duration and the risk of childhood leukemia (P non-linear < 0.001). The most protective effect (OR, 0.66, 95% CI 0.62–0.70) was observed at a breastfeeding duration of 9.6 months. Four studies examined, the association between breastfeeding and risk of childhood neuroblastoma, and significant inverse associations were consistently observed in both the comparisons of ever breastfeeding versus non/occasional breastfeeding (OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.44–0.81) and longest versus shortest breastfeeding (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.44–0.83). However, no associations of breastfeeding with risk of other cancers were found. Conclusions Our study supports a protective role of breastfeeding on the risk of childhood leukemia, also suggesting a non-linear dose-response relationship. Further studies are warranted to confirm the association between breastfeeding and risk of childhood neuroblastoma.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document