Blood samples
In order to understand the feasibility of obtaining and storing blood samples over time, samples were collected at the four data collection time-points. Samples were centrifuged to obtain 500 µl plasma aliquots and stored at − 80 °C for future analysis of biomarkers (e.g., pro-inflammatory cytokines). Research of the effects of mind–body interventions suggests multiple biological pathways (e.g., inflammatory and neuroendocrine) that may benefit SS [