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A Relaxation Technique In the Management of Hypercholesterolemia
Abstract
Chronic sympathetic nervous system overactivity has been implicated as a factor capable of elevating and maintaining high serum cholesterol levels independent of dietary measures. We conducted a controlled trial to determine the effect of a relaxation technique. Transcendental Meditation, on serum cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Serum cholesterol levels were measured at beginning and end of an 11-month period in 12 hypercholesterolemic subjects who regularly practiced meditation. Eleven hypercholesterolemic controls who did not practice the technique were similarly followed up for 13 months. Paired comparisons showed a significant (p less than 0.005) reduction in fasting serum cholesterol levels of those subjects who practiced meditation. These results suggest that the regular practice of a relaxation technique may contribute, most likely through a reduction in adrenergic activity, to the amelioration of hypercholesterolemia in certain subjects.
... Previous research showed that yoga, as well as meditation, are effective approaches to cardiovascular health improvement, mostly decreasing heart rate (HR) and performing BP regulation. Other studies also confirmed the favorable effects of these practices on HR variability (HRV), anthropometric parameters, the lipid profile, and insulin resistance [18,[22][23][24]. Several independent studies suggested that the mechanism responsible for this action is most probably hidden behind induced parasympathetic or reduced sympathetic activity after yoga or meditation [12,[24][25][26][27]. ...
... Other studies also confirmed the favorable effects of these practices on HR variability (HRV), anthropometric parameters, the lipid profile, and insulin resistance [18,[22][23][24]. Several independent studies suggested that the mechanism responsible for this action is most probably hidden behind induced parasympathetic or reduced sympathetic activity after yoga or meditation [12,[24][25][26][27]. ...
... The increasing HF values suggests that there is autonomic regulation, particular increased parasympathetic activity, involved in the mechanism of TM's effect on cardiovascular health. Additionally, a small study where Cooper and Aygen compared 12 patients with hypercholesterolemia regularly practicing TM (20 min/day, 13 months) with 11 control subjects displayed a 10% (p < 0.005) reduction in fasting serum cholesterol levels in the TM group compared with the control group [24]. The first of these two studies again had a longer duration, as well as less frequent sessions and a bigger sample size, than our own. ...
Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death, and psychosocial stress is considered a contributing factor to these issues. With the rising number of heart surgeries, proper rehabilitation post-surgery is essential. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of yoga and transcendental meditation on the cardiovascular system. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of yoga and transcendental meditation on retinal microcirculation in cardiac patients before (admission), after (discharge), and following (3 weeks after discharge) rehabilitation. Methods: This study examined changes in retinal microcirculation in three rehabilitation groups of patients after heart surgery. The control group received standard exercise therapy, while the meditation group incorporated 20 min of meditation, and the yoga group incorporated 20 min of yoga practice, twice per day for the duration of four weeks of rehabilitation. Retinal images were captured using a non-mydriatic digital retinal camera (Canon CR-2, Canon Medical Systems Europe B.V., Netherlands), and the microcirculation parameters central retinal artery equivalent, central retinal vein equivalent, and artery-to-vein ratio were analyzed using MONA REVA software ((version 2.1.1), VITO, Mol, Belgium). Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to evaluate differences between the three groups in the course of rehabilitation. Results: None of the parameters revealed significant differences in retinal microcirculation between the three rehabilitation groups. Conclusions: The study evaluating changes in retinal microcirculation, as an indicator of central circulation in cardiac patients undergoing rehabilitation, did not observe any significant changes. As yoga and meditation are underestimated approaches in cardiac rehabilitation, this pilot study acts as a basis for providing preliminary information for future studies to encourage the research community to fill the gap in this area.
... The search strategy yielded a total of 645 results, and, after the article screening process (Figure 1), 16 studies were included in this literature review [32,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57]. The full-text version of two articles was not retrievable online, and these studies were therefore excluded from this research [58,59]. ...
... Pre-post study [52] As shown in Table 1, the studies included in this systematic review were six RCTs [43][44][45][46][47][48], four controlled trials without randomization [32,[49][50][51], a pre-post experiment [52], and five observational studies [53][54][55][56][57]. ...
... Table 2 provides a synthesis of study outcomes concerning the impact of static meditation techniques on blood lipid levels. In particular, the examined meditation techniques included Ayurvedic-based practices like Transcendental or Yoga Meditation (excluding body movements) [43,[45][46][47]50,51,55,57], mindfulness [44,49,52], and meditation techniques deeply rooted in Eastern spirituality (such as Korean, Zen, Buddhist, and Tibetan practices) [32,48,53,54,56]. The results outlined in Table 2 indicate that Ayurvedicbased meditation techniques were predominantly associated with lower total cholesterol levels, mindfulness-based techniques demonstrated benefits in both total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and Eastern meditation techniques with spiritual origins were primarily linked to improved serum concentrations of HDL cholesterol. ...
This review aims to delineate the potential impact of static meditation practice on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were systematically screened up until December 2023 to identify pertinent studies. After searching the scientific literature, 16 clinical studies (11 trials and 5 observational experiments) met the criteria for inclusion, involving a total of 1147 participants. In general, Ayurvedic-based meditation techniques were predominantly associated with lower total cholesterol levels, mindfulness-based techniques demonstrated benefits in both total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and Eastern meditation techniques with spiritual origins were primarily linked to improved serum concentrations of HDL cholesterol. Study participants mostly engaged in meditation on a daily basis, often practicing it once or even twice a day, spanning a duration ranging from a few weeks to several months. The meta-analysis shows an association between meditation practice in healthy or sub-healthy adults and reduced cholesterol levels, with an average decrease of approximately −14 mg/dL (MD = −13.91 [−23.35; −4.47] mg/dL; p = 0.02), alongside favorable and even more pronounced impacts on triglyceride levels (MD = −32.56 [−48.44; −16.68] mg/dL; p < 0.01). In summary, regular engagement in static meditation practices can be associated with lower triglyceride and, to a lesser extent, cholesterol levels. Further studies on the topic are recommended to better investigate the relationship between meditation practice and physiological parameters.
... Yoga is a science practiced all over the world. It is an alternate form of physical activity that has been widely studied for its effects on human health (1,2). The word "yoga" itself is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "union," which is a philosophy that connects the body, breath, and mind to maintain energy balance. ...
... Resting data were obtained from all the subjects. This procedure included: (1) name, age, sex, height , and weight of the subject; (2) asking the subject to relax in the sitting position for 5 min. Then, resting heart rate (HR) was taken for 1 min; (3) blood pressure was then measured at the 15-min interval and averaged using a Mercury Sphygmomanometer by the auscultatory method; and (4) peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured with a standard Peak Expiratory Flow Meter. ...
The purpose of this study was to assess the
effects of Yogic breathing techniques (Ujjaiya, Bhastrica and Humsa)
on heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and peak expiratory
flow rate (PEFR). The Treatment Group consisted of 100 subjects
while Control Group consisted of 50 subjects. All subjects signed an
informed consent. Physical characteristics (age, height, and weight)
were recorded and medical history was obtained from both groups of
subjects. The subjects’ cardiorespiratory responses were assessed
before and after the pranayama (Yogic breathing) session. Yogic
breathing techniques were demonstrated and practiced for 1 hr by the
Treatment Group under expert guidance, while the Control Group sat
quietly. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17 and Student t-tests.
When the before and after data were analyzed in each group, the
mean values for HR and SBP in the treatment group were significantly
decreased after the pranayama session while PEFR was significantly
increased. Yogic breathing improved the subjects’ cardiorespiratory
responses in the Treatment Group. Further study is required to
understand how long the positive hemodynamic responses continue
to produce positive health benefits, and the degree to which
individuals with hypertension and asthma will benefit from Yogic
breathing.
Key Words: Pranayama, Blood pressure, Heart Rate, Peak
... Thus, the heart does not work as hard to pump blood through the body. At last, meditation may help lower cholesterol [8,245] . ...
As human beings, we often ponder upon our existence on this earth and ask ourselves why we are here. We search for answers through various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. They share a common theme where God wants us to use all our talents and become closer to Him. We examine methods like fasting, meditation, lucid dreaming, sensory deprivation, and mind-altering drugs such as psychedelics and marijuana to explore our minds and awaken our spirituality. We delve into the deep depths of our minds and psyches to gain greater awareness and uncover hidden aspects of ourselves. Through this journey, we discover our true selves and purpose in life while traversing the path to enlightenment.
... Serum cholesterol levels may be elevated during sympathetic overactivity. Chronic stress may raise cholesterol levels independent of dietary measures [24]. ...
Background
Hypertension (HTN) is a major public health concern, and elevated blood pressure (BP) is a distinct risk factor for all - causes of morbidity and mortality.
Objectives
Considering the growing evidence of yoga interventions in the management of hypertension, the objective of the current randomized controlled study is to assess the effect of OM chanting and Yoga nidra (Relaxation technique) on BP and lipid profile in individuals with HTN.
Materials and methods
Eighty patients with diagnosed HTN were recruited and randomized equally to either the experimental group or the control group. Patients in the experimental group received a combination of OM chanting and Yoga nidra, five days a week for a period of 2 months and patients in the control group continued with their regular conventional medications. BP and lipid profile parameters were assessed at baseline, 30th day and 60th day for both the groups.
Results
After 2 months of intervention, a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the BP and lipid profile was observed in the intervention group when compared to the control group. The reduction in systolic and diastolic BP and LDL were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the experimental group. In addition, there is a significant increase in HDL levels in the experimental group. No adverse events were reported during the trial period.
Conclusion
The current study demonstrates the efficacy of Om chanting and Yoga nidra in reducing blood pressure and improving lipid profiles in patients with HTN. These particular yoga interventions could thus be considered a safer form of complementary therapy in the management of HTN, alongside conventional management.
Registration
Clinical trial identifier- CTRI/2020/02/023400.
... Serum cholesterol levels may be elevated during sympathetic overactivity. Chronic stress may raise cholesterol levels independent of dietary measures [24]. ...
Introduction:
Hypertension (HTN) is a common and growing public health challenge with severe risk factors. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effect of Om chanting and Yoga Nidra on depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality and autonomic functions on individuals with hypertension.
Methods:
This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in patients with hypertension at Little Flower Medical Research Center. A total of 80 patients with diagnosed hypertension were recruited and randomized equally to either the experimental group or control group. The experimental group received a combination of Om chanting and Yoga Nidra for five days a week for two months. The control group participants continued with their regular conventional medications. Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and heart rate variability (HRV) scores were assessed at baseline, 30 and 60 day for both the groups.
Results:
A total of 34 subjects in the experimental group and 31 subjects in the control group were included in the analysis. There was a significant (p<0.001) reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, and a significant (p<0.001) improvement in PSQI and HRV parameters in the experimental group was observed as compared to the control group. No adverse events were reported during the trial period.
Conclusions:
The current study validates the effectiveness of Om chanting and Yoga Nidra in reducing depression, anxiety, stress and improving sleep quality and autonomic functions in hypertensive patients. These interventions could thus be considered a safer form of complementary therapy in managing stress and hypertension.
... Another study also suggested that meditation was associated with beneficial effects on insulin resistance and fat profiles. A survey of 103 people with stable CHD examined the effectiveness of TM on the metabolic CHD syndrome [30]. The primary outcome measures included blood pressure, protein profiles, and insulin resistance. ...
This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of heart rate before and during meditation to investigate the effect of meditation on heart rate regulation. For this purpose, heart rate signals from the Physiont database were used. Linear and nonlinear features were calculated in two data sets before and during meditation. The results show that the heart rate fluctuations decrease during meditation, and the heart rate rhythm becomes more regular. In contrast, before meditation, the criteria for heart rate changes and heart rate fluctuations are high. Also, the result indicates a decrease in mean heart rate during meditation. It has been shown that the suggested features can be useful in evaluating the heart rate signal during meditation. Meditation has been considered an adjunct therapy in managing psychiatric illnesses (such as anxiety and depression) and maintaining mental health. As a result, the use of meditation can be very effective in preventing cardiovascular disease due to its positive effect on heart rhythm regulation and relaxation.
... Through this link, our physiological and hormonal responses are directly influenced by our emotions. The hypothalamus also forms a part of the Ascending Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of the brain stem responsible for the patterns of sleep; arousal and wakefulness.The value of practice of yogic relaxation in prevention of cardiovascular disease has been fairly well recognized and accepted (Cooper, 1979) 18 . In another study conducted by W.S. Agras demonstrated that the drop in blood pressure induced by daily Yoga nidra has a far reaching effect, extending throughout the day and is not nearly a transient effect coincident with the practice session. ...
Relapse poses a fundamental barrier to the treatment of substance dependence. Preventing relapse is therefore a prerequisite for any attempt to facilitate successful and long-term behavioral changes in substance dependents. Relapse can be caused by biological, psychological and socio-cultural reasons hence this study was aimed to develop and implement a bio-psycho-social intervention program for relapse prevention. 100 male subjects having multiple substance dependence from 16 to 60 years of age were selected through purposive sampling. Subjects were assessed on ‘Advance warning of relapse questionnaire’ followed by a follow up study through telephonic interview for six months. Two null hypotheses were formulated to see the effect of intervention on relapse prevention. Between two groups research design was used for the study with 50 subjects in each group. Data was analyzed by using t and 2x2 contingency χ2 tests. For first hypothesis was significant at 0.01 level and concluded that intervention program reduced advance warning signs of relapse. For second hypothesis 74% experimental group subjects were abstinent till six months after intervention as compared to 22% of control group. It was concluded that bio-psycho-social intervention program is significantly effective in relapse prevention among males with substance dependence.
... There have been a number of cases of cancer regression following intensive meditation even in the absence of orthodox medical treatment (Meares, 1979). Serum cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in those who practiced meditation regularly for a year (Cooper and Aygen, 1979) and meditation has proved a useful adjunct in treating asthma (Wilson et al., 1975). A review of 36 studies showed the efficacy of meditation in reducing the symptoms of anxiety (Chen et al., 2012). ...
In this chapter I would like to highlight four levels at which research evidence has shown benefits brought by meditation: brain physiology, clinical, personality and society. Most of the benefits discussed here are applicable to meditation techniques in general, although benefits specific to Dhammakaya meditation are also mentioned where available.
... Psychological stress has been shown to cause elevations of such plasma lipids (26). Patients eliciting the relaxation response for a month or more have lowered elevations in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides (27,30). Relaxation/meditation techniques may, therefore, be included as adjunctive ther-VOLUME 6, NUMBER 4,1984 The Relaxation Response apy with exercise, dietary changes, and medication in the treatment of primary hyperlipidemias. ...
... In a small study, Cooper and Aygen compared 12 patients with hypercholesterolemia who regularly practiced meditation with 11 control participants who did not practice meditation and found a significant 10% (P < 0.005) reduction in fasting serum cholesterol levels in those who practiced meditation during a 13-month period. [9] This effect is probably mediated through a reduction in adrenergic activity and effect on serum cortisol due to the relaxation effect of meditation. ...
The concept of "Yoga" is currently gaining a lot of popularity worldwide owing to its various health benefits and other advantages such as safety and ease of practice. There is considerable evidence accumulating related to its benefits on health, especially cardiovascular health. There is, however, a lot of confusion related to the term "Yoga" in the various studies as it comprises several different practices. More good quality studies are needed utilizing different components of "Yoga" investigating their effects on cardiovascular disease. There is also a change in the understanding of the role of the heart in the human body.
... reduction in fasting serum cholesterol levels in those who practiced meditation during a 13-month period. 46 Another study demonstrated the postprandial hypoglycemic effect of sitting breathing meditation exercise on 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a mean age of 63.1 years. 47 Participants' levels of postprandial plasma glucose were significantly reduced by 19.26 -30.99 mg/dL, (P<0.001) at the second visit and by 17.64 -25.48 mg/dL (P<0.001) at the third week visit. ...
Chest pain from coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for more than 8 million emergency department visits every year in the United States, emphasizing the need for cardiovascular (CV) interventions to help reduce this high number. Meditation--a state of contemplation, concentration, and reflection--has the potential to help decrease CV disease.
This article reviews the available data regarding the effects of meditation on various aspects of CV health.
During the past few decades, multiple studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of meditation on various CV risk factors. In addition to decreasing CV mortality, meditation has also been shown to improve conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and high cortisol levels. Still unclear is how current medical therapies impact overall CHD in comparison to meditation techniques.
Prospective trials are needed to study the effects of meditation on CV risk factors, to provide guidelines for daily meditation practice, and to determine the efficacy of meditation compared to current pharmacologic therapies.
... pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis over-activity has been implicated in the elevation of serum cholesterol levels, independent of diet [41]. In an early study on 23 subjects with high cholesterol, serum cholesterol was reduced by 9% over an 11 month period after learning TM compared to a control group, without any change in diet (p < 0.005) [42]. A more recent RCT, however, found that decreases in total cholesterol and lipoproteins in the TM group were not statistically significant, possibly due to a floor effect due to normal levels at baseline in addition to a 60% statin usage [49]. ...
Objectives:
Despite advances in modern medicine, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia and globally. In a recently published scientific statement on alternative methods to lower blood pressure (BP), the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique may be considered in clinical practice to lower BP. The AHA statement also reported research that TM may reduce heart attack, stroke and death in CVD patients. This article reviews the background and associated evidence for these effects.
Design and methods:
Meta-analyses, systematic reviews and controlled clinical studies on the effects of TM technique on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors were reviewed and the outcomes synthesised.
Results:
Clinical trials indicate that the TM technique has a positive impact on pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD; risk factors for CVD including hypertension, psychosocial stress and smoking; surrogate markers for CVD; and CVD clinical events.
Conclusions:
The wide range of effects of TM practice on cardiovascular health suggests that the TM technique may be considered in clinical applications for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
... reduction in fasting serum cholesterol levels in those who practiced meditation during a 13-month period. 46 Another study demonstrated the postprandial hypoglycemic effect of sitting breathing meditation exercise on 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a mean age of 63.1 years. 47 Participants' levels of postprandial plasma glucose were significantly reduced by 19.26 -30.99 mg/dL, (P<0.001) at the second visit and by 17.64 -25.48 mg/dL (P<0.001) at the third week visit. ...
Background: Chest pain from coronary heart disease (CHD)
accounts for more than 8 million emergency department visits
every year in the United States, emphasizing the need for
cardiovascular (CV) interventions to help reduce this high
number. Meditation––a state of contemplation, concentration,
and reflection––has the potential to help decrease CV disease.
Methods: This article reviews the available data regarding the
effects of meditation on various aspects of CV health.
Results: During the past few decades, multiple studies have
demonstrated the beneficial effects of meditation on various CV
risk factors. In addition to decreasing CV mortality, meditation
has also been shown to improve conditions such as
hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and high
cortisol levels. Still unclear is how current medical therapies
impact overall CHD in comparison to meditation techniques.
Conclusion: Prospective trials are needed to study the effects
of meditation on CV risk factors, to provide guidelines for daily
meditation practice, and to determine the efficacy of meditation
compared to current pharmacologic therapies.
... It induces a more relaxed mental attitude and emotional climate, enabling practitioners to successfully withstand the stresses of daily life without mishap.In an important study at the University of Tel Aviv (Israel), yoga nidra significantly lowered the levels of serum cholesterol in cardiac patients. 34 Other studies have reported lower circulating levels of metabolic and endocrine 'stress hormones', including lipids, lactate, aldosterone, testosterone, adrenaline and dopaminebeta-hydroxylase. 35 In 1948, Aaron Friedell, an American cardiologist, recorded that attentive nostril breathing (known in yoga as anuloma viloma or psychic nostril breathing) was a most effective, immediate and drug-free means of controlling and alleviating angina pain in cardiac patients. ...
Yoga nidra is said as the art of relaxation. Within the last century or two, diseases have sprung up with new dimensions, expressions, manifestations and this has reached a peak in the last few decades. Medical science has put an end to the great plagues of the past, but we are now faced with a new epidemic of stress-related disorders caused by our inability to adapt to the highly competitive pace of modern life. Psychosomatic illness such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, thyroid disorders, migraine, asthma, ulcers, digestive and skin disorders are said to arise from the tensions of body and mind. The leading causes of death in developed countries like cancer and heart disease also stem from tension. Though Modern medical science has been trying to tackle these problems in many ways, but have failed to deliver the good necessary health to man. This is because the real problem does not lie in the body it originates from the man's changing ideals, his way of thinking and feeling. The International problem today is not hunger, poverty, drugs or fear of war. It is tension, hypertension and the total tension. One who knows to free from tension and is able to balance the tensions control the emotions and anger will be able to control high blood pressure, heart disease etc diseases. Whether one thinks too much or don't think at all, he accumulates tension. In the same way, whether one works or doesn't work, sleep too much or doesn't sleep at all, whether take a heavy protein diet, carbohydrate diet or a vegetarian diet, he accumulates tension. These tensions amass in the different layers of the human personality. They accumulate in the muscular, emotional and mental systems. Yoganidra deals the problems of tension with a wide periscope. In yoga, relaxation from tension is one of the chief concerns and thus by the practice of yoga nidra, the nature of mind can be changed, diseases can be cured and the creative genius can also be restored. INTRODUCTION Yoga Nidra is a more efficient and effective form of psychic and physiological rest and rejuvenation than conventional sleep. It is a simple yet profound practice that induces deep relaxation into the whole body-mind system in a conscious way. Yoga nidra, derived from the tantras, is a powerful technique in which one learns to relax consciously. It's also called as the state of dynamic sleep. Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term yoga nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness and nidra means sleep. During the practice of yoga nidra, one appears to be asleep, but the consciousness will be functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, yoga nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness.
... [4][5][6] Within the modern context, however, much more emphasis has been placed on the relaxing effects of meditation without as much attention to the arousing or wake-promoting effects. In some modern formulations, the goal of meditation has expanded beyond relaxation and decreased arousal [7][8][9][10] to include a state of consciousness that is deliberately half-asleep, a "physiological twilight condition between waking and sleep," 11-13 equivalent to sleep, 14,15 or a form of sleep-like hibernation, a "shallow torpor" 16 that is reversed by (i.e., the doi: 10.1111/nyas.12279 opposite of) wakefulness. ...
Buddhist meditation practices have become a topic of widespread interest in both science and medicine. Traditional Buddhist formulations describe meditation as a state of relaxed alertness that must guard against both excessive hyperarousal (restlessness) and excessive hypoarousal (drowsiness, sleep). Modern applications of meditation have emphasized the hypoarousing and relaxing effects without as much emphasis on the arousing or alertness-promoting effects. In an attempt to counterbalance the plethora of data demonstrating the relaxing and hypoarousing effects of Buddhist meditation, this interdisciplinary review aims to provide evidence of meditation's arousing or wake-promoting effects by drawing both from Buddhist textual sources and from scientific studies, including subjective, behavioral, and neuroimaging studies during wakefulness, meditation, and sleep. Factors that may influence whether meditation increases or decreases arousal are discussed, with particular emphasis on dose, expertise, and contemplative trajectory. The course of meditative progress suggests a nonlinear multiphasic trajectory, such that early phases that are more effortful may produce more fatigue and sleep propensity, while later stages produce greater wakefulness as a result of neuroplastic changes and more efficient processing.
... In a study by K. H. Kaplan and colleagues (1993), all 77 men and women with fibromyalgia who completed a ten-week stress-reduction program using meditation had symptom improvement. Moreover, in several studies, meditators had better respiratory function (vital capacity, tidal volume, expiratory pressure, and breath holding), cardiovascular parameters (diastolic blood pressure and heart rate), and lipid profiles than nonmeditators (Cooper and Aygen 1979;Wallace et al. 1983;Wenneberg et al. 1997). ...
,The study of the relationship between religion and health has grown substantially in the past decade. There is little doubt that religion plays an important role in many people’s lives and that this has an impact on their health. The question is how researchers and clinicians can best evaluate the available information and how we can improve upon the current findings. In this essay we review the cur- rent knowledge,regarding religion and health and also critically re- view issues pertaining to methodology, findings, and interpretation ofthese studies. It is important to maintain,a rigorous perspective with regard to such studies and also to recognize inherent limitations and suggest constructive ways in which to advance this field of study. In the end, such an approach can provide new information that will improve our understanding of the overall relationship between reli- gion and health. Keywords:,health; methodology; religion; spirituality. The relationship between religion and health care has cycled between co-
... A major approach to study the development of cosmic consciousness is to assess longitudinal changes in physiological and psychological parameters among adults who start the practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program. Among the general predictions of the developmental model supported by empirical research on the Transcendental Meditation technique are greater neurophysiological integration and development and improved health, such as increased EEG coherence, greater lateralization of EEG, reduced hypertension, reduced medical care utilization, and increased longevity in the elderly (Alexander, Langer et al., in press;Bennett and Trinder, 1976;Cooper and Aygen, 1979;Dillbeck and Bronson, 1981;Orme-Johnson, 1987). Measured effects on mental functioning include broader comprehension along with finer focus of cognitive and perceptual processes, as indicated by improvements in perceptual and cognitive flexibility, field independence, memory, fluid intelligence, concept learning, academic achievement, moral reasoning, and figural creativity (Alexander, Langer et al., in press, Cranson, in press;Dillbeck, 1982;Dillbeck, Assimakis, Raimondi, Orme-Johnson, and Rowe, 1986;Dillbeck, Orme-Johnson, and Wallace, 1981;Kember, 1985;Miskiman, 1976;Pelletier, 1974;Shecter, 1978;Travis, 1979). ...
... A major approach to study the development of cosmic consciousness is to assess longitudinal changes in physiological and psychological parameters among adults who start the practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program. Among the general predictions of the developmental model supported by empirical research on the Transcendental Meditation technique are greater neurophysiological integration and development and improved health, such as increased EEG coherence, greater lateralization of EEG, reduced hypertension, reduced medical care utilization, and increased longevity in the elderly (Alexander, Langer et al., in press;Bennett and Trinder, 1976;Cooper and Aygen, 1979;Dillbeck and Bronson, 1981;Orme-Johnson, 1987). Measured effects on mental functioning include broader comprehension along with finer focus of cognitive and perceptual processes, as indicated by improvements in perceptual and cognitive flexibility, field independence, memory, fluid intelligence, concept learning, academic achievement, moral reasoning, and figural creativity (Alexander, Langer et al., in press, Cranson, in press;Dillbeck, 1982;Dillbeck, Assimakis, Raimondi, Orme-Johnson, and Rowe, 1986;Dillbeck, Orme-Johnson, and Wallace, 1981;Kember, 1985;Miskiman, 1976;Pelletier, 1974;Shecter, 1978;Travis, 1979). ...
... For example, TM meditators show more rapid recovery of the autonomic nervous system after stress than non-meditators or prospective meditators (Orme-Johnson, 1973). Similarly, longitudinal studies longer than six months indicate decreases in symptoms of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia among TM participants (Benson & Wallace, 1972;Cooper & Aygen, 1979;Simon, Oparil, & Kimball, 1977). Another indication of increased physiological stability is recent evidence that the "biological age" of long-term TM participants, as measured by several standard physiological parameters, is lower compared to chronological age than that of short-term TM meditators or controls (Wallace, Dillbeck, Jacobe, & Harrington, 1982). ...
... Researchers have found that Yoga Nidra significantly lowered levels of serum cholesterol in cardiac patients. [13] Other studies have reported yoga training is associated with a significant increase of cardiac vagal modulation. Since this method is easy to apply with no side effects, it could be a suitable intervention in cardiac rehabilitation programs. ...
Yoga Nidra is a successful therapy for both recent and long-standing psychological disturbances of all kinds especially depression and high anxiety level and neurotic patterns.
The purpose of the present work, therefore, was to conduct a preliminary randomized study of Yoga Nidra as a treatment in the patients of menstrual disorders with somatoform symptoms.
Patients were recruited from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CSM Medical University (erstwhile KGMU) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. One hundred and fifty female patients with menstrual disorders were randomly divided in to two groups 1- Intervention group: 75 subjects (Yoga Nidra intervention and medication) 2- control group: 75 subjects (without Yoga Nidra intervention only medication). Schedule for clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry tool was used.
There was significant improvement in pain symptoms (P<0.006), gastrointestinal symptoms (P<0.04), cardiovascular symptoms (P<0.02) and urogenital symptoms (P<0.005) after 6 months of Yoga Nidra therapy in Intervention group in comparison to control group.
Yoga Nidra appears to be a promising intervention for psychosomatic problems. It is cost-effective and easy to implement. The results indicate that somatoform symptoms in patients with menstrual disorder can be decreased by learning and applying a program based on Yogic intervention (Yoga Nidra).
... The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and insulin resistance [8]. A controlled study showed a 10% decrease in plasma total cholesterol in medication-free, hypercholesterolemic volunteers after 11 months of TM practice, compared with matched controls [160]. A study of executives and managers with normal cholesterol levels reported a significantly lower cholesterol level after 3 months of TM practice, compared with controls [161]. ...
The pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases are thought to be exacerbated by stress. Basic research indicates that the Transcendental Meditation(®) technique produces acute and longitudinal reductions in sympathetic tone and stress reactivity. In adolescents at risk for hypertension, the technique has been found to reduce resting and ambulatory blood pressure, left ventricular mass, cardiovascular reactivity, and to improve school behavior. Research on adults with mild or moderate essential hypertension has reported decreased blood pressure and reduced use of anti-hypertensive medication. The technique has also been reported to decrease symptoms of angina pectoris and carotid atherosclerosis, to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, including alcohol and tobacco use, to markedly reduce medical care utilization for cardiovascular diseases, and to significantly decrease cardiovascular and all-cause morbidity and mortality. These findings have important implications for inclusion of the Transcendental Meditation program in efforts to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases and their clinical consequences.(®)Transcendental Meditation and TM are trademarks registered in the US. Patent and Trademark Office, licensed to Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation and are used with permission.
... For example, TM meditators show more rapid recovery of the autonomic nervous system after stress than non-meditators or prospective meditators (Orme-Johnson, 1973). Similarly, longitudinal studies longer than six months indicate decreases in symptoms of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia among TM participants (Benson & Wallace, 1972;Cooper & Aygen, 1979;Simon, Oparil, & Kimball, 1977). Another indication of increased physiological stability is recent evidence that the "biological age" of long-term TM participants, as measured by several standard physiological parameters, is lower compared to chronological age than that of short-term TM meditators or controls (Wallace, Dillbeck, Jacobe, & Harrington, 1982). ...
Explores the Vedic psychological theory outlined in the
Bhagavad-Gita as a broad and practical psychology of life intended to foster higher levels of human development. This theory is outlined in terms of its characterization of suffering, transcendence, and enlightenment. Suffering is viewed as arising from the lack of a stable inner source of fulfillment; transcendence is described as an experience of inner fulfillment as the awareness effortlessly becomes silent in the experience of the self beyond thought. Enlightenment is defined as a permanent state in which, through repeated experience of transcendence, the self becomes a background for all other experiences; this transcendence results in stable inner fulfillment and effective behavior. It is concluded that the
Bhagavad-Gita presents a broad yet consistent psychological theory that expands current psychological conceptions of personality and development. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychological distress has a demonstrable impact on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and risk factors. Transcendental Meditation (TM) has been shown to reduce stress and improve health and well‐being. The current review aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effects of TM on cardiometabolic outcomes and identify gaps for future research. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases for relevant literature. Forty‐five papers that reported studies of TM on cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases were included. Evidence shows that TM is effective in reducing blood pressure (BP). We found some evidence that TM can improve insulin resistance and may play a role in improving dyslipidemia, exercise tolerance, and myocardial blood flow, and in reducing carotid intima‐media thickness and left ventricular mass. Studies show that long‐term TM practice can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD mortality. This review identified that certain studies have high participant drop‐out rates, and fewer studies targeted comprehensive cardiometabolic outcomes beyond BP with longer follow‐up periods. We found that most studies were conducted in specific populations, which may limit generalizability. In conclusion, TM has the potential to improve cardiometabolic health; however, research gaps highlight the need for larger phase III multicenter clinical trials with long‐term follow‐ups.
Conventional Buddhist texts illustrate meditation as a condition of relaxed alertness that must fend against extreme hypoarousal (sleep, drowsiness) and extreme hyperarousal (restlessness). Theoretical, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging investigations of meditation have highlighted the relaxing effects and hypoarousing without emphasizing the alertness-promoting effects. Here we performed a systematic review supported by an activation-likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis in an effort to counterbalance the surfeit of scholarship emphasizing the hypoarousing and relaxing effects of different forms of Buddhist meditation. Specifically, the current systematic review-cum-meta-analytical review seeks to highlight more support for meditation’s wake-promoting effects by drawing from neuroimaging research during wakefulness and meditation. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 fMRI studies, we aim to highlight support for Buddhist meditation’s wake-promoting or arousing effects by identifying brain regions associated with alertness during meditation. The most significant peaks were localized medial frontal gyrus (MFG) and precuneus. We failed to determine areas ostensibly common to alertness-related meditation such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), superior parietal lobule, basal ganglia, thalamus, most likely due to the relatively fewer fMRI investigations that used wakefulness-promoting meditation techniques. Also, we argue that forthcoming research on meditation, related to alertness or wakefulness, continues to adopt a multi-modal method to investigate the correlation between actual behaviors and neural networks connected to Buddhist meditation. Moreover, we recommend the implementation of fMRI paradigms on Buddhist meditation with clinically diagnosed participants to complement recent trends in psychotherapy such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
Meditation is a technique of achieving harmony between the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual personalities of man. The technique of meditation where a flow of thoughts is encouraged thus using mind in a natural way. Meditation has number of positive effect on the physiology of human body. The aims of this study to observe the effect of meditation on eye center and throat center (Chakra) Energy and the hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure, blood oxygen content, and body temperature). Data was collected from 26 Meditators from a meditation centre for 9 days and the results are tabulated and analysed before and after meditation to study the effect of meditation on these parameters. This study will help in proving the positive impact of mediation on life and increase consciousness through chakra energy.
The biomedical model of health exclusively focuses on the body’s dysfunctions, or even on the dysfunctioning of a single organ or a single genetic anomaly supposed to be causally responsible for the patient’s illness. In contrast to this approach, and in accordance with Hippocrates’ holistic line of thought, the systemic, quantum-like approach presented here conceives of illness as an imbalance in the patient’s psychosomatic state. Healing a person’s illness will thus consist in rebalancing this state. This rebalancing can be done by changing the relative weights of the specific psychophysical correlations encoded in this state, which needs to take into account their subjective life in an essential way. Mind-body entanglement can explain the existence of a body memory which, in turn, explains the genesis and evolution of internal diseases and suggests the development of holistic therapies. In particular, the concept of mind-body entanglement provides new insights on mental disorders, their classification and their relationship with brain functioning. Furthermore, it provides a theoretical framework for explaining consistently paradigmatic self-healing techniques, which remain totally enigmatic within the classical, causal-local framework. This is the case of the placebo “effect”, biofeedback and the healing power of meditation. Mind-body entanglement also explains the possibility of distant healing, for which significant data have been reported.
As corporations, organizations, and agencies strive to improve productivity and cut costs, the employee in the workplace is often left behind, coping with outmoded training, information overload, and no updated personal learning or achievement techniques. Modern Meditation Training has met that challenge and succeeded in providing an innovative, condensed, one‐hour professional training seminar, often at lunchtime, to corporations, organizations, and agencies on the most cutting‐edge, personal improvement technique available today. As attested in the pages of Scientific American and Time magazine, meditation practice has been sweeping the United States since the turn of this century, with a dramatic upturn in acceptance, proven results, and scientific validation. This chapter includes selected illustrations slides and references for the Modern Meditation Training presentation, with an online link to the entire slideshow, in order to enable group presentations in the workplace, by any responsible personnel, with little preparation. This chapter provides information on the scientific benefits and a detailed explanation of the three steps of Modern Meditation Technique, with some helpful insights, history, and instruction. The Modern Meditation Technique has the added benefit that it can be practiced by employees and management during the day in the workplace environment and still yield improvements in performance, health, achievement, longevity, mood, mental ability, and comprehension, while dramatically lowering sick days and absenteeism. Through daily meditation practice, the human brain has been proven to be physically thickened in the insula and prefrontal cortex which is very beneficial, while the human blood and body are altered in favor of a stronger immune system. The author predicts that a meditation technique such as Modern Meditation Training will eventually be an integral part of future employee workplace learning and training, in the same way as it is already being introduced to secondary schools where there are statistically significant results showing improvement in grades and behavior.
The 2017 American Heart Association Scientific Statement on meditation and cardiovascular risk suggested that meditation may be of benefit for cardiovascular risk reduction, and thus meditation may be considered as an adjunct to guideline-directed cardiovascular risk reduction interventions. Meditation could potentially increase physical and mental relaxation, leading to improved outcomes after a major cardiovascular event. We hypothesized that meditation is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular risk in the U.S. general population. Using data from 2012 and 2017 the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we identified all patients with hypercholesterolemia, systemic hypertension (SH), diabetes mellitus (DM), stroke, and coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as those who reported that they meditate. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between meditation and risk of hypercholesterolemia, SH, DM, stroke, and CAD, adjusting for potential confounders. Of 61,267 NHIS participants, 5,851 (9.6%) participated in some form of meditation. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, race, marital status, cigarette smoking, sleeping duration, and depression, meditation was independently associated with a lower prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.54 – 0.79; p =0.001), SH (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.99; p = 0.04), diabetes (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.59 – 0.84; p = 0.0001), stroke (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58 – 0.99; p = 0.04), or CAD (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.39 – 0.66; p < 0.001), compared with those who did not meditate. In conclusions, using a large national database, we found that meditation is probably associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risks, but alcohol consumption, moderate physical activities, and exercise may be confounders or causal pathways.
This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To determine the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD.
Background:
A major determinant in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is stress. As transcendental meditation (TM) is thought to help in lowering negative stress indicators, it may be a beneficial strategy for the primary prevention of CVD.
Objectives:
To determine the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD.
Search methods:
We searched the following electronic databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2013, Issue 10); MEDLINE (Ovid) (1946 to week three November 2013); EMBASE Classic and EMBASE (Ovid) (1947 to week 48 2013); ISI Web of Science (1970 to 28 November 2013); and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and Health Technology Assessment Database and Health Economics Evaluations Database (November 2013). We also searched the Allied and complementary Medicine Database (AMED) (inception to January 2014) and IndMed (inception to January 2014). We handsearched trial registers and reference lists of reviews and articles and contacted experts in the field. We applied no language restrictions.
Selection criteria:
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of at least three months' duration involving healthy adults or adults at high risk of CVD. Trials examined TM only and the comparison group was no intervention or minimal intervention. We excluded trials that involved multi-factorial interventions. Outcomes of interest were clinical CVD events (cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality and non-fatal events) and major CVD risk factors (e.g. blood pressure and blood lipids, occurrence of type 2 diabetes, quality of life, adverse events and costs).
Data collection and analysis:
Two authors independently selected trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias.
Main results:
We identified four trials (four papers) (430 participants) for inclusion in this review. We identified no ongoing studies. The included trials were small, short term (three months) and at risk of bias. In all studies, TM was practised for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day.None of the included studies reported all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality or non-fatal endpoints as trials were short term, but one study reported survival rate three years after the trial was completed. In view of the considerable statistical heterogeneity between the results of the studies for the only outcomes reported, systolic blood pressure (I(2) = 72%) and diastolic blood pressure (I(2) = 66%), we decided not to undertake a meta-analysis. None of the four trials reported blood lipids, occurrence of type 2 diabetes, adverse events, costs or quality of life.
Authors' conclusions:
Currently, there are few trials with limited outcomes examining the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD. Due to the limited evidence to date, we could draw no conclusions as to the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD. There was considerable heterogeneity between trials and the included studies were small, short term and at overall serious risk of bias. More and larger long-term, high-quality trials are needed.
Nicht nur alltägliche Redewendungen in den Sprachen vieler Völker bringen das Herz in Verbindung mit Gefühlen; auch in der medizinischen Literatur finden sich von alters her Berichte über den Einfluß von Emotionen auf das Herz und auf Veränderungen seiner Funktionen. Der römische Enzyklopädist Aulus Cornelius Celsus — wir wissen nicht sicher, ob er auch Arzt war — faßte in seinem Werk „De medicina“ die medizinischen Kenntnisse seines Kulturkreises zu Beginn unserer Zeitrechnung zusammen. Wenngleich es auch damals noch kein genaues Wissen über anatomische Grundlagen und Funktionsweise des Blutkreislaufs gab, weist er doch — neben der Wirkung körperlicher Anstrengung oder auch der eines Bades — auf den, wie wir heute sagen würden, psychophysiologischen Zusammenhang von Angst, Furcht oder anderen Gemütszuständen und der Beschleunigung des Pulses hin (zitiert nach East 1957). 1628 schreibt der Entdecker des Kreislaufsystems William Harvey: „Every affection of the mind that is attended with either pain or pleasure, hope or fear, is the cause of an agitation whose influence extends to the heart“ (Harvey 1623).
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Introduction: Meditation is a technique of achieving harmony between the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual personalities of man. Rajyoga is one of the techniques of meditation where a flow of thoughts is encouraged thus using mind in a natural way. Meditation has a number of positive effects on the physiology of human body. It has shown to reduce diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and serum cholesterol levels thus reducing the risk of coronary artery disease. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to highlight haemodynamic effects of meditation by studying its impact on blood pressure, heart rate and ECG. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 healthy subjects (50 meditators and 50 non-meditators) from Brahma Kumari Ashram. They were further subgrouped on the basis of their sex, age and duration for which they had been practicing yoga. A detailed history was taken and detailed general physical examination was conducted on all of them. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate and ECG was recorded in all of them. Data was collected and statistically analyzed to achieve the results. Results: The mean heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate were significantly lower in subjects who practised meditation regularly than in subjects who did not. ECG did not show any significant change except for decreased heart rate in meditators. Conclusions: Coronary Heart Disease remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in Indian population. Yoga and Meditation, given its positive effects on physiology of human body,if practised regularly, can emerge as one of the important non-pharmacological method of prevention of heart disease.
Stress is a cognitive or emotional response made by the individual towards any situation, which demands adjustment. When the demands of the situation exceed the ability of the individual distress results, which may manifest in mental and physical symptoms of abnormality. The practice of Yoga nidra helps in building up the coping ability. The practitioner of Yoga nidra slowly becomes aware of the inherent dormant potentialities and thus prevents himself from becoming a victim of distress. As well as relaxation of yoga nidra relaxes the physical as well as mental stresses as it relaxes the whole nervous system.
Stress-related disorders evolve gradually through four stages. In the first stage, psychological symptoms like anxiety and irritability arise due to over activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Yoga nidra can be consider as a highly effective practice for reducing stress on the basis of the present study as Yoga nidra releases the stress of the students of higher classes. Practice of Yoga Nidra also reduces the Anxiety of male and female subjects both. It may have positive results for the other age groups and occupations also.
Meditation is a technique of achieving harmony between the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual personalities of man. The technique of meditation where a flow of thoughts is encouraged thus using mind in a natural way. Meditation has number of positive effect on the physiology of human body. The aims of this study to observe the effect of meditation on eye center and throat center (Chakra) Energy and the hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure, blood oxygen content, and body temperature). Data was collected from 26 Meditators from a meditation centre for 9 days and the results are tabulated and analysed before and after meditation to study the effect of meditation on these parameters. This study will help in proving the positive impact of mediation on life and increase consciousness through chakra energy.
Die koronare Herzkrankheit ist eine lebensstilassoziierte Erkrankung, die in den Industrienationen die Hauptursache für Todesfälle ausmacht.
Āyurveda und Yoga haben ein eigenes Verständnis der Pathogenese und Ätiologie, das aber wie in der westlichen Medizin die Bedeutung der Verhaltens- und Ernährungsweise anerkennt. Um die Erkrankung zu behandeln, muss der Patient seine Lebensweise in allen Aspekten nachhaltig ändern, insbesondere aber die Ernährung. Mit den Methoden des Yoga kann die notwendige Umstellung der entscheidenden Lebensstilaspekte gut unterstützt werden.
Yoga Nidra is one of the finest way to Self Realization. Yoga-Masters as well as Psychologists are using it now days as a Psycho-spiritual Technique of Healing. Ancient Indian scriptures are pregnant with the knowledge of self realization. Yoga Nidra may be one such technique at the same path. It is a complete practice of Yoga Sadhana. It can lead the aspirant at the stage of Samadhi. These days Yoga Nidra is practiced as a best-known technique to induce complete physical mental and emotional relaxation. Yoga Nidra is a state of consciousness, which is, neither sleep nor awaken, neither is it concentration nor hypnotism. It can be defined, as an altered state of consciousness.
Over the last two decades, steady progress has been made in the development of stress theory, both in terms of our understanding of the psychological and social characteristics of situations which elicit the experience of stress, and in terms of the psychophysiological mechanisms which underpin the response to stress and attempts to cope with it.
Much interest in psychophysiology has focused on the role and control of activity in two particular neuroendocrine systems: the sympathetic-adrenal medullary system and the pituitary-adrenal cortical system. These systems, and their associated hormones, appear to be related to patterns of behavior, which are old in evolutionary terms, and which are controlled by separate and distinct psychosocial stimuli. Furthermore, the neurophysiological loci of control for the two systems appear to reside in separate but interacting areas of the limbic system.
This paper briefly considers the psychophysiology of stress in this context, and speculates on the possible implications of the proposed model for psychological and physical well-being.
Although synthetic chemicals and pharmacological agents are being used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in the western world, there now appears to be a cultural and philosophical shift toward Eastern Medicine and many patients are increasingly using alternative approaches for prevention and therapeutic purposes. This brief review summarizes the experimental and clinical evidence of some functional foods, herbal products and medicinal plants for improving plasma HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels, as well as reducing oxidative stress. In addition, the potential of acupuncture and Yogic meditation are discussed as emerging approaches for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. The available evidence indicates that several functional foods, herbal products and medicinal plants exert lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic actions, as well as exhibit antioxidant properties; however, a great deal of research work and extensive clinical trials are needed to establish their use in medical practice.
A major determinant in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is stress. As transcendental meditation (TM) is thought to help in lowering negative stress indicators, it may be a beneficial strategy for the primary prevention of CVD.
To determine the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD.
We searched the following electronic databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2013, Issue 10); MEDLINE (Ovid) (1946 to week three November 2013); EMBASE Classic and EMBASE (Ovid) (1947 to week 48 2013); ISI Web of Science (1970 to 28 November 2013); and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and Health Technology Assessment Database and Health Economics Evaluations Database (November 2013). We also searched the Allied and complementary Medicine Database (AMED) (inception to January 2014) and IndMed (inception to January 2014). We handsearched trial registers and reference lists of reviews and articles and contacted experts in the field. We applied no language restrictions.
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of at least three months' duration involving healthy adults or adults at high risk of CVD. Trials examined TM only and the comparison group was no intervention or minimal intervention. We excluded trials that involved multi-factorial interventions. Outcomes of interest were clinical CVD events (cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality and non-fatal events) and major CVD risk factors (e.g. blood pressure and blood lipids, occurrence of type 2 diabetes, quality of life, adverse events and costs).
Two authors independently selected trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias.
We identified four trials (four papers) (430 participants) for inclusion in this review. We identified no ongoing studies. The included trials were small, short term (three months) and at risk of bias. In all studies, TM was practised for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day.None of the included studies reported all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality or non-fatal endpoints as trials were short term, but one study reported survival rate three years after the trial was completed. In view of the considerable statistical heterogeneity between the results of the studies for the only outcomes reported, systolic blood pressure (I(2) = 72%) and diastolic blood pressure (I(2) = 66%), we decided not to undertake a meta-analysis. None of the four trials reported blood lipids, occurrence of type 2 diabetes, adverse events, costs or quality of life.
Currently, there are few trials with limited outcomes examining the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD. Due to the limited evidence to date, we could draw no conclusions as to the effectiveness of TM for the primary prevention of CVD. There was considerable heterogeneity between trials and the included studies were small, short term and at overall serious risk of bias. More and larger long-term, high-quality trials are needed.
È ormai riconosciuto come il funzionamento del sistema cardiovascolare sia ampiamente determinato da atteggiamenti personali,
emozioni, ansia e disagio psicologico [1] Questo determina, nella pratica clinica, la necessità di interventi per la modificazione di comportamenti a rischio e per
la gestione di problematiche di tipo psicologico. Tra i vari possibili approcci hanno trovato ampio spazio le tecniche che
consentono il raggiungimento di uno stato di rilassamento, vale a dire una distensione fisiologica che riporta l’organismo
in una condizione di equilibrio dopo il verificarsi di episodi disturbanti. Le tecniche di rilassamento e l’ipnosi sono divenute
particolarmente rilevanti nei programmi di trattamento volti alla gestione dello stress ed alla ricostituzione dell’equilibrio
omeostatico, dal momento che un continuo stato di arousal può determinare, a lungo andare, danni o malfunzionamenti a carico
del sistema cardiovascolare. Molto spesso, nel campo della riabilitazione cardiaca, gli interventi di tipo psicologico sono
stati basati sul modello cognitivo-comportamentale, centrato sulla #x201C;ristrutturazione” di credenze negative, relative
a sé e all’ambiente, che emergono in presenza di eventi stressanti [2, 3]. A confronto con queste tecniche, le procedure di rilassamento e l’ipnosi hanno una caratteristica distintiva: invece di
cercare di promuovere un’analisi critica delle reazioni allo stress e al disagio psicologico, l’obiettivo è quello di “aggirare”
i processi mentali razionali.
Despite the high cost of occupational stress, few studies have empirically documented effective methods for alleviating stress and promoting employee development. This three-month prospective study evaluated the effects of the Transcendental meditation (TM) technique on stress reduction, health and employee development in two settings in the automotive industry: a large manufacturing plant of a Fortune 100 corporation, and a small distribution sales company. Employees who learned TM were compared to controls similar in worksite, job position, demographic, and pretest characteristics. Regular meditators improved significantly more than controls (with irregular meditators scoring in between) on multiple measures of stress and employee development, including: reduced physiological arousal (measured by skin conductance levels) during and outside TM practice; decreased trait anxiety, job tension, insomnia and fatigue, cigarette and hard liquor use; improved general health (and fewer health complaints); and enhanced employee effectiveness, job satisfaction, and work/personal relationships. Principal components analysis identified three factors underlying this wide range of improvements through TM: “occupational coherence,” “physiological settledness,” and “job and life satisfaction.” The “effect size” of TM in reducing skin conductance, trait anxiety, alcohol/cigarette use, and in enhancing personal development (relative to the control condition) in these business settings was substantially larger than for other forms of meditation and relaxation reported in four previous statistical meta-analyses.
A review of the literature about meditation -its meaning, general classification and its biological and psychological effects on aging and health- is carried out in order to provide an updated knowledge of the therapeutic possibilities of this practice. Meditation is a multidimensional phenomenon that can be useful in a clinical frame and in a variety of ways. It is associated with the status of psychophysiological relaxation which optimize, as it's been expressed, the efficiency of countless intrinsic mechanisms self-repairing of the body. The subsequent normalization of the accumulated physiological unbalance might then help to be healthy and extend an useful life. Meditation might be used to relieve stress, anxiety and other physical symptoms besides it generates cognoscible changes which can be applied in self-observation and behavioral handling as well as for the understanding of limiting or self destructive cognoscible patterns.
Le Cerveau nomade se veut un voyage au cœur de chacun d’entre nous et de nos manières singulières d’organiser nos objets de pensée, de décider de ce qui importe et de choisir notre trajectoire. À cette fin, il se penche abondamment sur la façon dont chacun de nous ressent et rêve sa vie, convaincu que ces deux aspects influencent indéniablement et profondément la manière dont nous faisons les choses. Ce faisant, il examine les composantes neurologiques qui affectent, voire déterminent chacun de ces ressentis et chacune des actions qui en résulte.
Malik S, Shah M, Hasan S, Bilal M. The Physiological Responses of
Yogic Breathing Techniques: A Case-Control Study. JEPonline
2011;14(3):74-79. The purpose of this study was to assess the
effects of Yogic breathing techniques (Ujjaiya, Bhastrica and Humsa)
on heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and peak expiratory
flow rate (PEFR). The Treatment Group consisted of 100 subjects
while Control Group consisted of 50 subjects. All subjects signed an
informed consent. Physical characteristics (age, height, and weight)
were recorded and medical history was obtained from both groups of
subjects. The subjects’ cardiorespiratory responses were assessed
before and after the pranayama (Yogic breathing) session. Yogic
breathing techniques were demonstrated and practiced for 1 hr by the
Treatment Group under expert guidance, while the Control Group sat
quietly. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17 and Student t-tests.
When the before and after data were analyzed in each group, the
mean values for HR and SBP in the treatment group were significantly
decreased after the pranayama session while PEFR was significantly
increased. Yogic breathing improved the subjects’ cardiorespiratory
responses in the Treatment Group. Further study is required to
understand how long the positive hemodynamic responses continue
to produce positive health benefits, and the degree to which
individuals with hypertension and asthma will benefit from Yogic
breathing.
Key Words: Pranayama, Blood pressure, Heart Rate, Peak
Expiratory Flow Rate
Stress management and relaxation training lower the blood pressure of many mild hypertensives substantially through mechanisms
that are as yet unclear but may include behavioral and cognitive change. It is almost certain that the reduction of weight
in the obese, drinking in heavy drinkers, and increased exercise in the sedentary also reduces pressure usefully in hypertensives,
and opportunites exist for the application of behavioral principles to improve the effectiveness of programs to alter these
behavioral risk factors. It is fortunate that behavioral methods for the control of hypertension exist and are making progress
since there are increasing doubts about the effectiveness of pharmacological solutions for mild hypertension.
Norepinephrine and epinephrine increased circulating levels of free fatty acids in humans and dogs. The increase was sustained in dogs during infusion of norepinephrine, but transient during epinephrine infusion, which also increased plasma sugar concentration. Anxiety or discomfort in humans and decrease in depth of pentobarbital anesthesia in dogs were accompanied by increased free fatty acid concentration, whereas ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium in dogs resulted in a prompt and sustained fall. In intact and adrenalectomized dogs receiving constant infusions of palmitic acid-1-C¹⁴, the decrease in free fatty acid concentration following hexamethonium was shown to result from a reduction in the rate at which they were added to plasma. Only a slight additional reduction was produced by insulin. The effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine on free fatty acid concentration were readily demonstrated during ganglionic blockade, whereas peripheral adrenergic blockade with dibenamine inhibited the response to these amines. The response of free fatty acids to sympathetic amines was also diminished in adrenalectomized dogs maintained with desoxycorticosterone alone. The concept is proposed that the sympathetic nervous system exerts a tonic action on the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissuc which may be altered by central stimuli as well as by hormonal factors.
A knowledge of the lipid metabolism of the arterial wall and the myocardium makes it possible to identify metabolic factors, other than increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which might be important in the development of ischæmic heart-disease. Special attention is paid to the possible roles of catecholamines and free fatty acids both in accelerating the atheromatous process and in increasing the oxygen demand of the heart.
Ss were monitored for respiratory rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, skin resistance, EEG activity, and muscle activity. They were monitored during the alert state, meditation (TM or simple word type), hypnosis (relaxation and task types), and relaxation. Ss gave a verbal comparative evaluation of each state. The results showed significantly better relaxation responses for the relaxation states (relaxation, relaxation-hypnosis, meditation) than for the alert state. There were no significant differences between the relaxation states except for the measure "muscle activity" in which meditation was significantly better than the other relaxation states. Overall, there were significant differences between task-hypnosis and relaxation-hypnosis. No significant differences were found between TM and simple word meditation. For the subjective measures, relaxation-hypnosis and meditation were significantly better than relaxation, but no significant differences were found between meditation and relaxation-hypnosis.
To determine whether the elevated plasma renin activity in some cases of mild essential hypertension expresses sympathetic-nervous-system over-activity, we compared indexes of sympathetic activity in 16 patients with mild high-renin essential hypertension, 15 hypertensive patients with normal plasma renin activity and 20 normal subjects. Patients with elevated activity exhibited a raised plasma norepinephrine concentration (P less than 0.05), a greater fall in cardiac output with cardiac beta-adrenergic blockade by intravenous propranolol (P less than 0.01), reduction in total peripheral vascular resistance with alpha-adrenergic blockade produced by intravenous phentolamine (P less than 0.01), and reduction to normal of blood pressure by "total" autonomic blockade (atropine, propranolol and phentolamine). On psychometric testing, patients with high-renin hypertension, but not those with normal plasma renin activity, exhibited suppressed hostility (P less than 0.01), a behavioral pattern linked to increased sympathetic activity. The hypertension in these patients with high renin activity is neurogenic and possibly psychosomatic in origin.
We conducted a six-month trial to determine the effect of psychologic relaxation on blood pressure. Alterations of peripheral sympathetic-nervous-system activity, as reflected by changes of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in plasma, were evaluated, and plasma volume and plasma renin activity were measured. Treated patients exhibited significant (P less than 0.05) reductions of blood pressure when supine and upright, and of plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity, and furosemide-stimulated renin activity when upright. Blood-pressure changes after six months correlated best with differences in plasma activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase with patients supine (r = 0.54; P less than 0.05) and upright (r = 0.62; P less than 0.05). These results suggest that reduction of peripheral adrenergic activity contributes importantly to the improvement of hypertension observed with this form of therapy. Furthermore, the decrease of furosemide-stimulated plasma renin activity suggests that alterations of the renin-angiotensin system may help lower blood pressure in certain patients.
Plasma-samples have been taken from racing drivers at various times within a three-hour period following a race. The samples were analysed for noradrenaline, adrenaline, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Racing driving was chosen to provide an example of an extreme emotional and aggressive situation, associated with minimal physical effort, which might be expected to demonstrate magnification of certain biochemical changes that may occur in everyday life. The total-catecholamine levels were grossly elevated, the increase being largely due to noradrenaline. The free-fatty-acid levels were also elevated one to three minutes before the start while the drivers were on the starting grid, and up to one hour after the race. The triglyceride levels were slightly elevated after the event, continued to increase, and reached a peak at one hour. An exciting stimulus such as fast competitive driving can temporarily raise the plasma- levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides, two substances indicted in the causation of atheroma.
A wakeful hypometabolic state may be induced by simple, non-cultic mental techniques or by traditional meditational practices. The hypometabolic state seems to represent an integrated hypothalamic response ("relaxation response") which is consistent with a state of decreased sympathetic-nervous-system activity. A prospective investigation was designed to test whether regular elicitation of the relaxation response might lower blood-pressures in hypertensive patients who were maintained on constant antihypertensive therapy. Fourteen people were investigated. During the control period of 5.6 weeks, blood-pressures did not change significantly from day to day and averaged 145.6 mm.Hg systolic and 91.9 mm.Hg diastolic. During the experimental period of 20 weeks, systolic blood-pressures decreased to 135.0 mm.Hg (P < 0.01) and diastolic blood-pressures fell to 87.0 mm.Hg (P < 0.05). The regular elicitation of the relaxation response may, therefore, have usefulness in the management of hypertensive subjects who are already on drug therapy. The use of the relaxation response may influence the economics of the therapy of hypertension since it is practised at no cost other than time.
A group of 23 Air Force Lieutenant Colonels who attended a long General Staff Course were studied with assays of blood lipid fractions, 11-hydroxycorticoids and excretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine, free 11-hydroxycorticoids, 17-hydroxycorticoids (17-OHCS), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and 17-ketosteroids (17-KS). More or less continuous emotional stress was expected as most of these subjects had familiar responsabilities and the course was extremely competitive, with a large percent of dropouts. This meant, for most of these officers, the end of their careers. Norepinephrine levels were significantly increased and correlated with aggressive behaviour. Significant (p < 0.001) elevations of plasma and urine-free 11-hydroxycorticoíds were registered showing levels in the range found in very stressed subjects. Blood total lipids and cholesterol raised significantly during the course, with levels comparable to those found in hyperlipidemic patients with coronary arteriopathy. The EKG changes were not significant. The possibility that this maintained stressful state might cause a hyperlipoproteinemia and consequent atheromatosis and coronariopathy is discussed.Copyright © 1972 S. Karger AG, Basel
Physiological indices of stress were found to be lower in people who regularly practiced Transcendental Meditation (N = 14) than in nonmeditating control subjects (N = 16). During normal waking (eyes open) a noxious loud tone (100 db, 0.5 sec, 3000 Hz) was presented to subjects a mean of once every 53 sec at irregular intervals. The stress reaction to each tone, as indicated by the galvanic skin response (GSR), was compared for the 2 groups. Habituation of the GSR to tones was faster for meditators than for controls, and meditators made fewer multiple responses during habituation, indicating greater stability in response to stress. In 2 other experiments, meditators were found to make fewer spontaneous GSR's than control subjects, both during meditation, as compared with rest (eyes closed), and while out of meditation with eyes open. Thus meditators were found to be more stable than controls on 3 autonomic indices: rate of GSR habituation, multiple responses, and spontaneous GSR.
In the Western world today, there is a growing interest in nonpharmacological, self induced, altered states of consciousness because of their alleged benefits of better mental and physical health and improved ability to deal with tension and stress. During the experience of one of these states, individuals claim to have feelings of increased creativity, of infinity, and of immortality; they have an evangelistic sense of mission, and report that mental and physical suffering vanish. Subjective and objective data exist which support the hypothesis that an integrated central nervous system reaction, the 'relaxation response', underlies this altered state of consciousness. Physicians should be knowledgeable about the physiologic changes and possible health benefits of the relaxation response.
33 male volunteers were studied in the morning after fasting overnight. 11 (the control group) were allowed to sit comfortably for three consecutive 2-hr periods, no stressors or treatment being introduced. The remaining 22 were divided into two groups, each being exposed to standardized, emotional stressors during the second of the three 2-hr periods. The subjects in one of these groups were each given a total dose of 3 g of nicotinic acid during the first 3 hr of the experiment, whereas the other group received no treatment. Stress was accompanied and followed by increased levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides in arterial plasma, by an increase in catecholamine excretion, and a rise in heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. No such increases were seen in the control group. The stress-induced rise in free fatty acids was inhibited by nicotinic acid, and the triglyceride rise was turned into a fall. The stressor-induced increase in catecholamine excretion was not significantly affected by nicotinic acid, neither were the increases in heart rate and blood pressure. The hypothesis is discussed, from a qualitative as well as a quantitative viewpoint, that there is a direct relationship between the increased concentration of free fatty acids accompanying emotional stress in man and the eventual development of the stress hyperlipoproteinemia.
Blood samples obtained from medical students during an initial period of moderate stress were compared with samples obtained during more stressful examination periods with respect to serum lipoprotein and total serum cholesterol levels. An atherogenic index (Al) was calculated to represent two classes of lipoproteins determined by ultracentrifugation. In one group of 37 students the serum cholesterol level rose from an initial mean value of 191 to one of 235 mg. per 100 ml., and the Al rose from an initial value of 45 to one of 57. Similar results were found in a second group of 13 students. The increase in Al was due to a greater than 50% increase in the lower density lipoprotein fraction. It is suggested that this fraction may be the factor that relates stress to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
The Emergency Function of the Adrenal Medulla in Pain and the Major Emotions
- Ii Cannon
II. Cannon, W.B. "The Emergency Function of the Adrenal Medulla in Pain and the Major Emotions," Am. J. Physiol.. Vol. 33, 1914, pp. 356-372.
- Cannon W. B.