Effectiveness of Vipassana Meditation and Yoga in Enhancing Forgiveness and Reducing Anger among Individuals with Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Interventional Study

Regular practice of either Vipassana meditation or yoga for six months significantly improved forgiveness and reduced anger in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Vipassana meditation was especially effective at reducing revenge-related tendencies and enhancing self- and other-forgiveness, while yoga had a broader impact on emotional, cognitive, and trait dimensions of forgiveness. The control group showed no significant changes. These mind-body practices offer accessible, non-pharmacological ways to support emotional well-being and may benefit cardiovascular health.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction: The detrimental effects of anger on psychological and physical health have been highlighted by traditional and contemporary perspectives. Conversely, forgiveness is increasingly recognised as a protective factor that contributes to emotional regulation and good health. In recent years, mind-body practices, such as yoga and Vipassana meditation, have gained empirical support for their therapeutic potential, particularly in managing stress-related conditions. Aim: To examine the effectiveness of Vipassana meditation and yoga in enhancing forgiveness and reducing anger among individuals diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Materials and Methods: The prospective interventional study design was used in the present research. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from Agra, Gwalior and Firozabad cities of India. Subjects were contacted through personal and social connections as this study required sixmonths commitment. Nearly 230 subjects were contacted and 74 gave consent to participate. In the final stage, a total of 60 patients with CHD, aged 40-60 years, participated in the study. Based on their willingness to engage in regular practice, participants were assigned to one of three groups: Group I, Vipassana meditation (n=20); Group II, yoga (n=20); and Group III, control (n=20). The experimental groups engaged in their respective interventions for six months, while the control group received no such intervention. The anger scale (2017) and the forgiveness scale (2021) were used to collect data from participants. Results: The findings indicated significant improvement in forgiveness (p=0.01) and reductions in anger (p=0.01) among participants in both intervention groups. Specifically, Vipassana meditation demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing revenge-related tendencies (p=0.01) and enhancing both self (p=0.01) and other-forgiveness (p=0.01). Yoga was found to have a broader impact, significantly improving the emotional, cognitive, and trait dimensions of forgiveness. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: The study concluded that regular engagement in yoga or Vipassana meditation is significantly helpful in promoting forgiveness and in reducing anger in patients with CHD. These practices show potential as accessible, non-pharmacological approaches for enhancing emotional well-being and may also contribute to cardiovascular health.