Measuring Success of Meditation, Curcumin Supplementation and Sunlight Exposure among Office Workers with Mild Depression

Authors

  • Chirra Taworntawat
  • Karl J. Neeser
  • Ratana Somrongthong
  • Timothy E. O’Brien

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i3.18264

Keywords:

25-hydroxyvitamin D; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; interleukin-6; major depression; working- class; mindfulness meditation; curcumin; sunlight exposure.

Abstract

Background: Globally, major depression is the primary cause of disability, where a large part of cases is reported
among the working-class.
Methods: We conducted comparative cross-sectional study with 8-week observation includes mindfulness
meditation, curcumin supplementation and sunlight exposure (MCS program) among mildly depressed office
workers of both sexes - 34 in observed group (OG) and 34 in control group (CT). At baseline, day 30, and
day 60, participants were compared in terms of (a) vitamin D, (b) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), (c)
interleukin-6 (IL-6), and (d) depression scores using PHQ-9. ELISA were performed for all serum samples.
Results: The rates of increase of vitamin D in both day 0, 30 and day 30, 60 intervals were significantly higher in
OG (p<0.05). BDNF levels varied extensively between the groups. IL-6 means were significantly lower in OG at
day 30 than in CG (p<0.05). Depression scores rate of change demonstrated appreciable fall in day 0, 30 interval
and stayed down to day 60 in OG. Significantly, lower depression scores were observed for OG at both day 30 and
day 60 (p<0.05).
Conclusion: MCS program resulted in significant decreases in depression scores and some of its related biomarkers,

thus can be a sustainable and cost-effective approach to alleviating psychological depression among the working-
class.

Author Biographies

  • Chirra Taworntawat

    Chirra Taworntawat, Researcher, Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

  • Karl J. Neeser

    Professor, Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

  • Ratana Somrongthong

    Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Public
    Health, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand,

  • Timothy E. O’Brien

    Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, School of
    Environmental Sustainability, Loyola University Chicago, W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL USA.

Downloads

Published

2022-07-04

How to Cite

Measuring Success of Meditation, Curcumin Supplementation and Sunlight Exposure among Office Workers with Mild Depression. (2022). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 16(3), 112-121. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i3.18264