Efficacy of an Integrated Heartfulness Meditation and Yoga Protocol in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Mansee Thakur, Pooja S Singh, Veronique Nicolai, Mitesh Thakker, Mangesh Pandey, Vidhya S Vijayan
Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2025 DOI: 10.1177/27536130251388378 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals with prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension |
| Intervention | Integrated Approach of Heartfulness-based Yogic Practices and Meditation (IAHFNM & YP) |
| Duration | 12-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Biomarkers Intervention studies Oxidative stress Psychological distress Yoga |
| Key findings | The Integrated Approach of Heartfulness-based Yogic Practices and Meditation reduced psychological distress and modulated inflammatory and neuroendocrine biomarkers in prehypertension and Stage 1 hypertension. |
Abstract
Hypertension is increasingly recognized as a biopsychosocial condition influenced by psychological distress and systemic inflammation. The potential of integrative mind-body approaches such as Heartfulness meditation and yoga to offer non-pharmacological benefits through neuroendocrine and immunomodulatory pathways is a source of hope and optimism in the field. To evaluate the effects of a 12-week Integrated Approach of Heartfulness-based Yogic Practices and Meditation (IAHFNM & YP) on psychological distress, inflammatory cytokines and stress biomarkers in individuals with prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension. In this randomized controlled trial participants were allocated to either the intervention group (IAHFNM and YP) or the standard care group. Psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Blood samples were analyzed for cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-18) and neuroendocrine stress markers (copeptin and corticotropin). The intervention group showed significant reductions in psychological distress, including anxiety, depression and somatization, as reflected by a marked decline in the Global Severity Index (P < .001). This reassures us about the study's effectiveness. Inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α significantly decreased (P < .05), while anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels increased (P < .001). Stress-related biomarkers copeptin and corticotropin also showed significant reductions (P < .001), suggesting downregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Although correlations between psychological scores and biomarkers were modest (R2 < 0.12), corticotropin showed the strongest association with BSI-18 scores (r = 0.389). The findings demonstrate the efficacy of Heartfulness in improving psychological well-being and modulating inflammatory and neuroendocrine markers in prehypertension and hypertension. These results support integrating mind-body practices into hypertension management. However, small sample size, limited duration, and reliance on self-reported adherence may affect generalizability. Future studies with larger cohorts, objective adherence measures, and extended follow-up are recommended to establish sustainability and underlying mechanisms.
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
Cites 8
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Effect of an 18-Month Meditation Training on Regional Brain Volume and Perfusion in Older Adults JAMA Neurology October 10, 2022
- Impact of Heartfulness meditation practice on anxiety, perceived stress, well-being, and telomere length. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- Effect of Heartfulness Meditation on Stress Biomarkers, Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Study. Stress and Health April 1, 2025
- Comparative analysis of stress hormones in long-term meditators and non-meditators Ceylon Journal of Medical Science December 10, 2024
and 3 more in the library