Home-Based Walking Meditation Decreases Disease Severity in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Witoon Mitarnun, Witid Mitranun, Wenika Mitarnun, Wilasinee Pangwong
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine March 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0292 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | Participants with Parkinson's disease |
| Intervention | Walking meditation |
| Duration | 12-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Aging Mind–body exercises Neurodegenerative disorders |
| Key findings | Walking meditation reduced disease severity and the percentage of participants with anxiety in Parkinson's disease over 12 weeks. |
Abstract
Objective: To determine the effects of walking meditation (WM) on functional performance, disease severity, and anxiety in Parkinson's disease (PD).
Design: This was a randomized controlled trial. Settings: The study was conducted at a regional hospital. Subjects/Interventions: Thirty-three participants with PD were randomly allocated to the control (CON) group (n = 16) or the WM group (n = 17). Participants in the WM group were asked to perform WM monthly under supervision and encouraged to practice at home at least 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Outcome
Measurements: Gait velocity, Timed Up and Go, five times sit to stand (FTSTS) test, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and the percentage of participants with anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-part anxiety [HADS-A] ≥8).
Results: Both groups showed reduced gait velocity (p < 0.05), although impairment of the FTSTS (p < 0.05) score was observed only in the CON group. A significant enhancement within and between groups in the total UPDRS and UPDRS part II scores was observed only in the WM group. The percentage of participants with anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 8) decreased significantly only in the WM group (p < 0.05), compared with the baseline and after 12 weeks. There was no loss to follow-up in the WM group, and the participation rate of training was 3.2 days/week.
Conclusions: Home-based WM can encourage high rates of exercise adherence, reduce disease severity, lower the percentage of participants with anxiety, and might be suitable during disease endemic and/or pandemic in PD. The protocol was registered on Thaiclinicaltrials.org (Identifier: TCTR20201009001).
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 5
- Mindfulness or meditation therapy for Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Neurology August 1, 2023
- Effects of Meditation and Yoga on Anxiety, Depression and Chronic Inflammation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2025
- Effects of Buddhist Walking Meditation, Walking Meditation or Mindful Walking on the Health of Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review Psychiatry International October 13, 2025
- Effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on balance, cognitive functions, quality of life, and falls prevention in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review. Neuropsychological rehabilitation September 7, 2026
- Impact of Religion-Based Mindful Walking Meditation on Cardiometabolic and Mental Health. Exercise and sport sciences reviews October 1, 2024
Cites 8
- Meditation is associated with increased brain network integration. Neuroimage September 1, 2017
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials Frontiers in Psychology September 15, 2020
- A pilot study of mindful walking training on physical activity and health outcomes among adults with inadequate activity. Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 1, 2019
- Differential Experimental Effects of a Short Bout of Walking, Meditation, or Combination of Walking and Meditation on State Anxiety Among Young Adults. American Journal of Health Promotion May 1, 2018
- Effects of Buddhism walking meditation on depression, functional fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in depressed elderly. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2014
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