Effect of Raja Yoga Meditation on the Distress and Anxiety Levels of Women with Breast Cancer
Raquel Vilanova Araújo, A. F. C. Fernandes, R. I. C. Campelo, Renan Alves Silva, Inez Sampaio Nery
Religions July 31, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/rel12080590 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial tested whether Raja yoga meditation reduces distress and anxiety in women with breast cancer. Twenty-five patients attended four group meditation sessions over one month, while 25 controls took part in an educational activity on the same schedule. The meditation group showed a significant reduction in distress and anxiety. The effect of meditation was average in reducing distress, anxiety, depression, and vital signs, and also had an average effect on increasing peripheral oxygen saturation. Meditation reduced distress and anxiety more effectively than usual care.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Women with breast cancer |
| Intervention | Raja yoga meditation |
| Duration | Four sessions over one month |
| Keywords | Medicine |
| Key finding | Raja yoga meditation significantly reduced distress and anxiety in women with breast cancer compared to an educational activity. |
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of Raja yoga meditation on the level of distress and anxiety in women with breast cancer. Method: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was carried out in a specialized center between February and December 2019. The patients in the intervention group (n = 25) participated in four group meditation sessions for one month, and the participants in the control group (n = 25) were exposed to an educational activity for the same period and frequency. Cohen’s d was used to evaluate the effect size. Results: A significant reduction in the level of distress and anxiety was found in the intervention group (p < 0.001). The effect of meditation was average in reducing distress, anxiety, depression, and vital signs. There was also an average effect on the increase in saturation of peripheral oxygen (SPO2). Conclusion: The practice of meditation reduced distress and anxiety more effectively than the usual care practices.