Management of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome with meditation and yoga: Healing through natural therapy.
Abdul Ahad Khan, Anchal Srivastava, Deepak Passi, Manisha Devi, Lokesh Chandra, Mansi Atri
National journal of maxillofacial surgery 2018 DOI: 10.4103/njms.njms_25_17 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome |
| Interventions | Conventional noninvasive treatment Raj-yoga meditation pranayama |
| Duration | 3 months, assessed at weekly intervals |
| Topics | Breathwork Meditation |
| Keywords | Raj-yoga meditation |
| Key findings | Adding Raj-yoga meditation and pranayama to conventional noninvasive treatment produced the greatest improvements in pain and inflammation, with effects seen immediately and maintained long term, and significantly reduced anxiety and stress in both meditation groups. Mouth opening improved significantly only in the conventional control group. Depression, mandibular deviation, swelling, clicking, and occlusion did not improve significantly in any group. |
Abstract
Aims and objectives of the study were to study the effectiveness of Raj-yoga meditation and pranayama in patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) and compared the effects with ongoing conventional noninvasive treatment modalities. The study comprised 30 patients divided equally (10 each) into 3 group, i.e., control group (conventional, noninvasive treatment), Experimental A group (conventional, noninvasive treatment with raj-yoga meditation therapy and pranayama), and Experimental B group (Raj-yoga meditation therapy and pranayama only). Parameters such as pain, mouth opening, mandibular deviation, inflammation, swelling, clicking, occlusion, and psychologic evaluation such as anxiety, stress, and depression were assessed before the start of the study and at weekly intervals for 3 months. Posttreatment pain and inflammation improved both in the control group and Experimental A group, but statistically it is highly significant in the Experimental A group. Furthermore, it is effective immediately as well as for a long period in Experimental A group. Improvement in mouth opening was statistically highly significant in control group but not in the experimental groups. Posttreatment anxiety and stress status was improved with statistically highly significant result in the Experimental A and B. The posttreatment depression status along with mandibular deviation, swelling, clicking, and occlusion has not improved significantly in any of the groups. Raj-yoga meditation and pranayama in combination with conventional, noninvasive, treatment modalities showed promising results in MPDS patients as compared to either modalities alone.
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 4
- Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study ☆ Pain June 4, 2007
- A mind-body program for older adults with chronic low back pain: results of a pilot study. Pain Medicine November 2009
- "I felt like a new person." the effects of mindfulness meditation on older adults with chronic pain: qualitative narrative analysis of diary entries. Journal of Pain September 2008
- An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry April 1, 1982