Effects of MCS program on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin-6, 25-hydroxy vitamin D and depression among office workers with mild depression

Abstract

Background: Globally, major depressive is the primary cause of disability. A large part of cases is reported among the working-class. Literature reviews suggest that the disorder is tied in with immune dysregulation and inflammatory response. This study aimed to assessed MCS (mindfulness meditation + curcumin supplementation + sunlight exposure) program by comparing with a control group among mildly depressed office workers.

Methods: A quasi experiment was conducted with a total of 68 male and female office workers, n=34 being treatment group (TG) and n=34 being control group (CG). The groups were compared in terms of (a) serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), (b) serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), (c) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D), and (d) depression scores of PHQ-9. Multiple Linear Regression and Fixed Effect Model were used to test effects of the intervention.

Results: BDNF values differ significantly at base line but saw a sudden rise in [day 0, day 30] interval and a decline in [day 30, day 60] interval in CG. IL-6 outcomes at baseline showed no significant differences between groups, and the combined groups saw a modest but significant increase in [day 0, day 30] interval and a decrease in [day 30, day 60] interval. Notably, IL-6 was significantly lower in TG at day 30 than CG (P<0.05). For vitamin D, the rates of increase in both [day 0, day 30] and [day 30, day 60] intervals were significantly higher in TG than CG (P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences between the groups at day 30 and day 60 with no notable confounding factors for vitamin D. Depression scores of TG demonstrated an appreciable decline in [day 0, day 30] interval and stayed down until the end of the study whereas of CG saw no changes throughout the study. Moreover, lower depression scores were observed for TG at both day 30 and day 60 (P<0.05).

Discussion: MCS program resulted in significant decreases in depression scores, a rise in vitamin D, and a drop in IL-6, thus can be a successful and inexpensive approach to alleviating depressive symptoms for depression among the working-class.