A population-based sample of 1036 adults aged 53 and older completed an in-home interview and inhospital
physical examination. The final model is based on 934 respondents with complete data.
Outcome measures: The outcome measures were overall dysregulation, based on 26 biomarkers, and subscores
for cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors and inflammatory markers.
Results: After adjustment for age and sex, overall dysregulation is 0.35 of a standard deviation (SD) lower for
practitioners of relaxation techniques compared with nonpractitioners. The effect of exercise is smaller: 0.19 SD
difference between those who exercise regularly and those who do not exercise. Similar effects of relaxation
practice and regular exercise were found on inflammation, but smaller effects for cardiovascular/metabolic risk
factors. In the presence of controls for sociodemographic characteristics, medication use, and a wide range of
self-reported and interviewer-assessed health indicators, the effect of relaxation practice is attenuated but remains
sizable (-0.19 of a SD for overall dysregulation); regular exercise has a comparable effect (-0.16 of a SD).
The effects are similar for the inflammation subscore, but not significant for cardiovascular/metabolic risk
factors after adjusting for health status.
Conclusions: The physiologic benefits of relaxation practice that have been demonstrated in small experimental
studies are also evident in the general population of older Taiwanese who practice these techniques in everyday
life. Relaxation practice is associated with lower levels of physiologic dysregulation, particularly with respect to
inflammation. Among this sample of older adults, the effect appears to be at least as large as that for exercise.
Older people with limited ability to engage in vigorous exercise may especially welcome such information
Conclusions
Most people are well aware of the purported health benefits
of aerobic activity, yet knowledge of the benefits of relaxation
practice appears to be less pervasive. Older people
with limited ability to engage in vigorous exercise may especially
welcome such information. This study’s finding that
the effect of relaxation practices is as strong as that of exercise
may stem from the older age of this sample. The nature
of exercise at these ages may be less intense, and thus, the
effect observed may be weaker than corresponding effects at
younger ages. In any case, the potential benefits of behavioral
factors such as relaxation practice should not be underestimated.
If it came in a pill, everyone would take it.