Some Studies on the Power of the Mind on The Body

Mindful Meditation Increases Antibodies

Researchers performed a randomized, controlled study to discover the effects of an 8-week training program of mindfulness meditation on brain and immune function with healthy employees in a work environment. The study concludes that a short program of mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable positive effects on brain and immune function and further research is indicated.

Source: Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine 65: pp 564-570 (2003).

Motor Imagery Helps Stroke Recovery

Two survivors of embolic middle cerebral artery stroke that resulted in chronic hemiparesis received training consisting of 12 one-hour sessions, 3 times a week, for 4 consecutive weeks, of imagining wrist movements (extension, pronation-supination) and mental simulations of reaching and object manipulation, making use of a mirror box apparatus.

The study suggests that these results demonstrate the potential for using motor imagery as a cognitive strategy for functional recovery from hemparesis. The researchers felt that the intervention targeted the cognitive level of action processing, while its effects may be realized in overt behavioral performance.

Source: Using motor imagery in the rehabilitation of hemiparesis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2003 July; 84 (7): pp. 1090-2. j-stevens3@northwestern.edu