Breathing-Based Meditation for Improving COPD Burden: A Mixed Single-Case and Qualitative Approach

Ting‐fen Lin; D. Linville; Rhonda N. T. Nese; John Seeley; Samantha Shune

doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2304059

Breathing-Based Meditation for Improving COPD Burden: A Mixed Single-Case and Qualitative Approach

Ting‐fen Lin, D. Linville, Rhonda N. T. Nese, John Seeley, Samantha Shune

OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine December 19, 2023 DOI: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304059 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Single-case multiple-baseline and qualitative phenomenology Peer reviewed
Sample size	9
Population	Individuals with varying severities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Intervention	Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY)
Topics	Meditation
Citations	3
Key findings	Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is feasible, acceptable, and can help alleviate aspects of COPD disease burden related to the mind, body, and breath.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impacts the physiological and psycho-emotional aspects of life. COPD-related secondary sequelae also synergistically interact with each other. For example, dyspnea affects the severity of breath, body functions, and the mind (e.g., anxiety, panic, fear). Such negative psycho-emotional states can further negatively impact the breath and the body (e.g., increased dyspnea). Given the breadth of the impact of COPD on multiple facets of health and well-being, it is essential to investigate comprehensive approaches to managing COPD, simultaneously addressing the mind, body, and breath. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a breathwork meditation program, has previously yielded a wide range of physiological and psycho-emotional benefits but has not been explored in individuals with COPD. Using single-case multiple-baseline and qualitative phenomenology methodologies, this study investigated 1) the relation between dyspnea and SKY and 2) the feasibility and general perceived effectiveness of SKY among individuals with COPD. Nine individuals with varying severities of COPD participated. Data collection included ratings of perceived dyspnea (work of breathing, shortness of breath, dyspnea-related distress, dyspnea-related anxiety) and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Results suggest that SKY is feasible and acceptable for individuals with COPD. Additionally, the results demonstrate proof of concept that SKY can help alleviate aspects of the COPD disease burden related to the mind, body, and breath as well as reduce the cyclical effect of the disease sequelae. Larger-scale trials are warranted, but this study is the first to support SKY as a viable complementary and integrative health approach for individuals with COPD.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan...	2017	Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system	2004	Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety	2006	Exploratory mixed methods study	n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context	2001	Qualitative study	n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators	2013	Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

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