Deep Relaxation Experience with Complementary Urban Zen Integrative Therapy: Qualitative Thematic Analysis
T. V. von Visger, S. Thrane, M. Klatt, Yu-Ping Chang, M. Happ
Western Journal of Nursing Research November 27, 2020 DOI: 10.1177/0193945920973941 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Community-dwelling adults with pulmonary hypertension |
| Interventions | gentle body movement restorative pose body-awareness meditation |
| Duration | Six individual weekly sessions |
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Registration | NCT03194438 |
| Key findings | Participants described deep relaxation when they lost their sense of time, primarily during body-awareness meditation, and while "drifting" into an asleep state. The authors propose that these contextual elements can inform future development of therapeutic endpoints based on patients' experiences of complementary health approaches. |
Abstract
Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) are used as adjunctive therapy for managing symptoms associated with chronic conditions. Little evidence exists about how patients with pulmonary hypertension use or experience CHA. We explored patients’ relaxation experience during Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) and present qualitative thematic analysis results of 32 focused-debriefing-interviews. Thirteen community-dwelling adults received six individual weekly sessions that included essential oil, gentle-body movement, restorative pose, body-awareness meditation, and Reiki. Two themes, “Relaxation” and “In-between state,” were subjected to dimensional analysis and detailed description. We identified conditions or phenomena contributing to these themes across the following contextual sub-categories: time/temporal, associated elements, what the experience felt like, and asleep state. Deep relaxation experience was achieved when participants lost the sense of time, primarily during body-awareness meditation, and while they were “drifting” into an asleep state. These elements provide clarity for the future development of therapeutic endpoints of patients’ experience of CHA. ClinicalTrial.gov # NCT03194438
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... | 2017 | Qualitative study with mixed-methods | |
| A phenomenology of meditation-induced light experiences: traditional buddhist and neurobiological perspectives American Buddhist practitioners | 2014 | Qualitative study | |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Anger regulation in traumatized Cambodian refugees: the perspectives of Buddhist monks. Buddhist Cambodian monks in Massachusetts | 2011 | Qualitative study | n = 6 |
| The Lived Experiences of Experienced Vipassana Mahasi Meditators: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Experienced Vipassana Mahasi meditators | 2018 | Qualitative study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Mindfulness meditation for pulmonary hypertension program development: Acceptability and feasibility of technology-assisted complementary health intervention for symptom self-management. Heart & Lung 2026
- Mindfulness knowledge and practice in patients with cardiopulmonary conditions: A qualitative thematic analysis of adults living with pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease✰. Heart & Lung February 12, 2026
Cites 9
- A qualitative analysis of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in Parkinson's disease Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice October 20, 2009
- A pilot randomised controlled trial investigating a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention in individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): the PATHWAYS study Pilot and Feasibility Studies May 1, 2018
- Mindfulness and its efficacy for psychological and biological responses in women with breast cancer. Cancer Medicine May 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Post-treatment Breast Cancer Patients: Immediate and Sustained Effects Across Multiple Symptom Clusters. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management January 2017
- Randomized controlled pilot trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction compared to psychoeducational support for persistently fatigued breast and colorectal cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer October 2016
and 4 more in the library