Development, Content Validation and Pilot Study Feasibility of Heartfulness Meditation and Yoga Protocol for Anxiety
Research Square February 29, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3995680/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Randomized |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Individuals with low to moderate anxiety (pilot phase); 40 subject experts in yoga, Ayurveda, physiology, psychology, and psychiatry (validation phase) |
| Interventions | relaxation cleaning |
| Measures | Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), WHO-Well Being Index (WHO-WBI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key points | The authors report that a Heartfulness Meditation and Yoga protocol was developed and validated, with all practices retained by 40 experts because content validity ratio scores exceeded 0.29. In the pilot study, participants reported 90% satisfaction, reduced anxiety, and improved well-being. The authors conclude the approach was safe, feasible, and effective, and call for randomized clinical trials. |
Abstract
Integrating contemplative practices such as meditation and yoga may offer a comprehensive approach for the rise in mental health issues. We aimed to develop and validate a Heartfulness Meditation and Yoga protocol for individuals with low to moderate anxiety. In Phase 1, we developed the protocol from extensive literature survey using classical yoga texts and scientific studies. Phase 2 involved content validation through experts from fields related to yoga, Ayurveda, physiology, psychology, and psychiatry, by calculating the content validity ratio (CVR). Phase 3 consisted of a pilot study to check the feasibility and effectiveness of the protocol. Data were collected using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), WHO-Well Being Index (WHO-WBI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The final protocol encompassed practices such meditation, relaxation, cleaning and pranayamas. In the validation phase, 40 subject experts participated, and all practices (for low and moderate anxiety) were incorporated in the final protocol, as CVR scores were >0.29. Participants from the pilot study revealed a high satisfaction rate of 90% and significant reduction in anxiety, and improved well-being. Our approach was safe, feasible and effective, making it a promising addition to conventional anxiety treatments. In future, randomized clinical trials are required. CTRI No. CTRI/2023/11/060151
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Brief mindfulness-based training and mindfulness trait attenuate psychological stress in university students: a randomized controlled trial BMC Psychology February 1, 2021
- Improving stress management, anxiety, and mental well-being in medical students through an online Mindfulness-Based Intervention: a randomized study. Scientific Reports May 22, 2023
- Embodied Cognition in Meditation, Yoga, and Ethics: An Experimental Single-Case Study on Differential Effects of Four Treatments September 15, 2021
- Effect of Yoga and Mindfulness Intervention on Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Young Adolescents Attending Middle School: A Pragmatic Community-Based Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in a Racially Diverse Urban Setting International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 24, 2022
- Perceived Stress, Resilience, and Wellbeing in Seasoned Isha Yoga Practitioners Compared to Matched Controls During the COVID-19 Pandemic Frontiers in Public Health July 29, 2022
and 4 more in the library