Guided meditation as an adjunct to enhance postoperative recovery after cardiac surgery: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled feasibility trial.
Senthil Packiasabapathy, Ammu T Susheela, Ariel L Mueller, Melissa Patxot, Doris-Vanessa Gasangwa, Brian O'Gara, Shahzad Shaefi, Edward R Marcantonio, Gloria Y Yeh, Balachundhar Subramaniam
Trials January 11, 2019 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-3103-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled feasibility trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery |
| Intervention | Isha Kriya meditation |
| Duration | Meditation for four weeks after surgery; preoperative start two weeks before surgery in one group |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Treatment outcome Preoperative care Cardiac surgical procedures Prospective studies Feasibility studies Pilot projects Affect Mental health Cognition Sleep Neuropsychological tests Health status Time factors Quality of life Boston Surveys and questionnaires Neurocognitive disorders Cardiac surgery Delirium Postoperative cognitive decline Prehabilitation Isha kriya |
| Registration | NCT03198039 |
| Key findings | The trial is designed to assess the feasibility of implementing a perioperative Isha Kriya meditation program for cardiac surgery patients, with meditation beginning either two weeks before or the day after surgery and continuing for four weeks postoperatively. Secondary aims are to explore effects on postoperative pain, sleep, psychological wellbeing, cognitive function, and delirium, and to calculate effect sizes for future studies. |
Abstract
Background: Cardiac surgical procedures are associated with postoperative neurological complications such as cognitive decline and delirium, which can complicate recovery and impair quality of life. Perioperative depression and anxiety may be associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgeries. Surgical prehabilitation is an emerging concept that includes preoperative interventions to potentially reduce postoperative complications. While most current prehabilitation interventions focus on optimizing physical health, mind-body interventions are an area of growing interest. Preoperative mind-body interventions such as Isha Kriya meditation, may hold significant potential to improve postsurgical outcomes.
Methods: This is a prospective, randomized controlled feasibility trial. A total of 40 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery will be randomized to one of three study groups. Participants randomized to either of the two intervention groups will receive meditative intervention: (1) commencing two weeks before surgery; or (2) commencing only from the day after surgery. Meditative intervention will last for four weeks after the surgery in these groups. Participants in the third control group will receive the current standard of care with no meditative intervention. All participants will undergo assessments using neurocognitive, sleep, depression, anxiety, and pain questionnaires at various time points in the perioperative period. Blood samples will be collected at baseline, preoperatively, and postoperatively to assess for inflammatory biomarkers. The primary aim of this trial is to assess the feasibility of implementing a perioperative meditative intervention program. Other objectives include studying the effect of meditation on postoperative pain, sleep, psychological wellbeing, cognitive function, and delirium. These will be used to calculate effect size to design future studies.
Discussion: This study serves as the first step towards understanding the feasibility of implementing a mind-body intervention as a prehabilitative intervention to improve postoperative surgical outcomes after cardiac surgery.
Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03198039 . Registered on 23 June 2017.
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
- Meditation for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews February 15, 2024
- Meditation for perioperative pain and anxiety: A systematic review. Brain and Behavior July 1, 2024
- Designing a Perioperative Mind-Body Intervention for Peripheral Vascular Interventions. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024
- Virtual reality vs. imagery: comparing approaches in guided meditation Frontiers in Psychology November 25, 2024
- Cortical Changes Associated with Isha Kriya Meditation Revealed by Encephalography in Novice and Experienced Meditators – a Longitudinal Pilot Study
Cites 3
- Yoga Breathing, Meditation, and Longevity Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2009
- Meditation's impact on chronic illness. Holistic Nursing Practice 2003
- The Role of Rajyoga Meditation for Modulation of Anxiety and Serum Cortisol in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Control Study Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia April 1, 2017