A randomized controlled trial of meditation and massage effects on quality of life in people with late-stage disease: a pilot study.
Anna-Leila Williams, Peter A Selwyn, Lauren Liberti, Susan Molde, Valentine Yanchou Njike, Ruth McCorkle, Daniel Zelterman, David L Katz
Journal of Palliative Medicine October 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2005.8.939 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled blinded factorial pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Residents with late-stage AIDS or comorbidity in a skilled nursing facility |
| Interventions | Meditation Massage |
| Duration | 1-month intervention, 8-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The combination of meditation and massage significantly improved overall and spiritual quality of life in people with late-stage AIDS compared to either intervention alone or standard care. |
Abstract
Certain meditation practices may effectively address spiritual needs near end-of-life, an often overlooked aspect of quality of life (QOL). Among people subject to physical isolation, meditation benefits may be blunted unless physical contact is also addressed. To evaluate independent and interactive effects of Metta meditation and massage on QOL in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Randomized controlled blinded factorial pilot trial conducted from November 2001 to September 2003. An AIDS-dedicated skilled nursing facility in New Haven, Connecticut. Fifty-eight residents (43% women) with late stage disease (AIDS or comorbidity). Residents were randomized to 1 month of meditation, massage, combined meditation and massage, or standard care. The meditation group received instruction, then self-administered a meditation audiocassette daily. A certified massage therapist provided the massage intervention 30 minutes per day 5 days per week. Changes on Missoula-Vitas QOL Index overall and transcendent (spiritual) scores at 8 weeks. The combined group showed improvement in overall (p = 0.005) and transcendent (p = 0.01) scores from baseline to 8 weeks, a change significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the meditation, massage, and control groups. The combination of meditation and massage has a significantly favorable influence on overall and spiritual QOL in late-stage disease relative to standard care, or either intervention component alone.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Effect of kindness-based meditation on health and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 30, 2014
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Physical Conditions: A Narrative Review Evaluating Levels of Evidence ISRN Psychiatry November 14, 2012
- A preliminary study of spiritual self‐schema (3‐S+) therapy for reducing impulsivity in HIV‐positive drug users Journal of Clinical Psychology September 7, 2007
- Loving-kindness meditation: a field study Contemporary Buddhism November 1, 2013
- Effects of a Social Media-Based Mind-Body Intervention Embedded With Acupressure and Mindfulness for Stress Reduction Among Family Caregivers of Frail Older Adults: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Formative Research February 20, 2023
and 3 more in the library
Cites 6
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation Neuroreport May 1, 2000
- Stress Reduction and Preventing Hypertension: Preliminary Support for a Psychoneuroendocrine Mechanism The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine June 1, 1995
- Effect of Buddhist meditation on serum cortisol and total protein levels, blood pressure, pulse rate, lung volume and reaction time. Physiology & Behavior September 1, 1991
and 1 more in the library