Meditation improves clinicoelectroencephalographic measures in drug-resistant epileptics.
K K Deepak, S K Manchanda, M C Maheshwari
Biofeedback and self-regulation March 1994 DOI: 10.1007/bf01720668 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled trial with waiting-list control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Adults with drug-resistant epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Dose | 20 minutes a day |
| Duration | One year |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Adults with drug-resistant epilepsy who practiced meditation 20 minutes daily for one year showed significant reductions in seizure frequency and duration and changes in EEG spectral measures, while waiting-list controls showed no significant changes in seizure frequency or duration. The authors conclude that continued meditation practice is of substantial help in improving the clinical and electrographic picture in this population. |
Abstract
Eleven adults suffering from drug-resistant epilepsies were given meditation practice, while another nine adults acted as waiting list controls. All patients were on antiepileptic drugs and their serum drug levels were monitored regularly. Patients in the intervention group were given training in meditation, and they practiced meditation 20 minutes a day for one year. They showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency and duration, an increase in the dominant background EEG frequency, a reduction in mean spectral intensity of the 0.7-7.7 Hz segment, and an increment in mean spectral intensity in the 8-12 Hz segment of the EEG. All changes were statistically significant. Control patients did not show significant changes in seizure frequency and duration during the observation period of one year. The results indicate that continued meditation practice is of substantial help in improving the clinicoelectrographic picture in drug-resistant epileptics.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Improving Health, Quality of Life, and Social Functioning in Adults Campbell Systematic Reviews 2012
- Meditation's impact on chronic illness. Holistic Nursing Practice 2003
- Issues and Perspectives in Meditation Research: In Search for a Definition Frontiers in Psychology 2013
- Impact of preksha meditation on alpha waves in EEG Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology December 20, 2018
and 12 more in the library