Vipassana meditation:: A naturalistic, preliminary observation in Muscat.
A. Al-Hussaini, Sajjeev X Antony, Samia Al-Rahbi, S. Al-Adawi, A. Dorvlo, Dhananjay V Chavan, Jitu Dave, Vimal Purecha
Journal for scientific research. Medical sciences October 1, 2001 DOI: 10.18295/2075-0528.2586 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post observational study with control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Participants of a Vipassana meditation course in Muscat and a control group |
| Intervention | Vipassana meditation |
| Duration | 10-day residential retreat |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Vipassana participants reported significantly improved physical and psychological well-being immediately after the 10-day retreat, while the control group showed no such changes, suggesting potential benefits for mitigating distress. |
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the effects of Vipassana meditation on the physical and psychological health in a multi-ethnic population in the city of Muscat.
Method: The subjects were participants of a Vipassana meditation course taught in a ten-day residential retreat. Self-assessments of health-related parameters and physical and psychological symptomatology were collected from them before and immediately after the course. A control group was tested for a similar time interval.
Results: Immediately after their 10-day training, the Vipassana participants assessed themselves significantly higher compared to their levels prior to the course, suggesting that the 10 days' practice had significantly improved their physical and psychological well-being. The control group did not exhibit such changes.
Conclusion: The present preliminary findings, juxtaposed with the results of studies from other parts of the world, suggest that the practice of Vipassana meditation may help mitigate psychological and psychosomatic distress.