Indian Journal of Palliative Care

ISSN 0973-1075

2 papers in the library · publishing 2021-2026

Papers

Quieting the Mind, Healing the Body: Guided Imagery and Mindfulness Meditation among Cancer Patients

Indian Journal of Palliative Care June 12, 2026 Gireesh Giriyapura Rudrappa, Leena Kunnath Chacko

Among 148 patients with stage II and III cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy in a South Indian hospital, 15-minute twice-daily sessions of guided imagery or mindfulness meditation over four weeks significantly improved heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, salivary amylase levels, pain, depression, anxiety, and stress compared to a control group. Mindfulness meditation showed relatively greater improvement in psychological outcomes, while guided imagery was comparably effective for physiological stabilization. Both are low-cost, feasible non-pharmacological interventions that can enhance holistic care in oncology and palliative settings.

DOI: 10.25259/ijpc_414_2025 Full text Meditation Mindfulness Guided imagery Psychological intervention +14

Effect of Meditation and Breathing Exercises on the Well-being of Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection under Institutional Isolation: A Randomized Control Trial

Indian Journal of Palliative Care November 26, 2021 Kiran Mahendru, A. Pandit, Vishwajeet Singh et al.

Meditation and breathing exercises improved depression, stress, and sleep quality in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients under institutional isolation. A randomized controlled trial assigned 84 adults equally to a meditation-and-breathing-exercises group or standard care. After 7 days, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in depression, stress, trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and feeling tired upon waking. Anxiety also improved, but the difference was not statistically significant.

DOI: 10.25259/ijpc_40_21 Full text Medicine