Effects of Breathing-Based Meditation on Earthquake-Affected Health Professionals
Miho Iwakuma, Daien Oshita, Akihiro Yamamoto, Yuka Urushibara-Miyachi
Holistic Nursing Practice May 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000211 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 45-minute breathing-based meditation session improved mood states among health professionals who survived the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Quantitative measures showed significant improvements in anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, strain, and vigor in 17 participants. Qualitative analysis revealed themes of emancipation from chronic bodily sensations, a holistic sense transcending mind-body, reorienting life through reflection and gratitude, integrating meditation into daily life, and emerging from post-earthquake pain. The findings suggest meditation may benefit disaster-affected health professionals.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Mixed methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17 |
| Population | Health professionals who survived the Great East Japan Earthquake |
| Intervention | breathing-based meditation |
| Dose | 45-minute session |
| Duration | 45-minute meditation session |
| Key finding | A 45-minute breathing-based meditation session significantly improved all measured mood states (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, strain, and vigor) in health professionals affected by the earthquake. |
Abstract
On March 11, 2013, the Great East Japan Earthquake (magnitude 9) hit the northern part of Japan (Tohoku), killing more than 15 000 people and leaving long-lasting scars, including psychological damage among evacuees, some of whom were health professionals. Little is known about meditation efficacy on disaster-affected health professionals. The present study investigated the effects of breathing-based meditation on seminar participants who were health professionals who had survived the earthquake. This study employed a mixed methods approach, using both survey data and handwritten qualitative data. Quantitative results of pre- and postmeditation practice indicated that all mood scales (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, strain, and vigor) were significantly improved (N = 17). Qualitative results revealed several common themes (emancipation from chronic and bodily senses; holistic sense: transcending mind-body; re-turning an axis in life through reflection, self-control, and/or gratitude; meditation into mundane, everyday life; and coming out of pain in the aftermath of the earthquake) that had emerged as expressions of participant meditation experiences. Following the 45-minute meditation session, the present study participants reported improvements in all psychological states (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, strain, and vigor) in the quantitative portion, which indicated efficacy of the meditation. Our analysis of the qualitative portion revealed what and how participants felt during meditating.