Effects of Buddhist walking meditation on exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: A randomized controlled trial.
Sumana Srisoongnern, Kingkaew Pajareya, Rungladda Sriboon, Thanitta Thanakiatpinyo, Srisakul Chirakarnjanakorn, Wilawan Thirapatarapong
Heart & Lung 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.02.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Patients with chronic heart failure, mean age 65 years, New York Heart Association functional class II and III |
| Interventions | Buddhist walking meditation (BWM) aerobic exercise |
| Duration | Six-week training period, at least three times a week |
| Measures | six-minute walk test, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, blood pressure, heart rate |
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Keywords | Exercise capacity Heart failure Quality of life Walking meditation |
| Key findings | A six-week Buddhist walking meditation program did not significantly improve exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure, whereas the aerobic exercise group did show significant improvement. Neither group showed significant improvement in quality of life or most hemodynamic responses. |
Abstract
Buddhist walking meditation (BWM) is widely practiced in many countries. However, there is a lack of evidence relating to its effectiveness for patients with heart failure (HF). To determine the effects of a six-week BWM program on exercise capacity, quality of life, and hemodynamic response in patients with chronic HF. Patients with HF were randomly assigned to a BWM program or an aerobic exercise program. Each group trained at least three times a week during the six-week study period. The outcome measures included exercise capacity (six-minute walk test), disease-specific quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), and hemodynamic response (blood pressure and heart rate) immediately after the six weeks of training. The study enrolled 48 patients with a mean age of 65 years and a New York Heart Association functional class of II and III. At baseline, there were no significant differences in their clinical and demographic characteristics or the outcome measures. Although six patients withdrew, all participants were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. There was no statistically significant increase in the functional capacity of the BWM group; however, there was a significant improvement for the aerobic group. With both groups, there was no significant improvement in quality of life or most hemodynamic responses. The six-week BWM program did not improve the functional capacity, quality of life, or hemodynamic characteristics of the HF patients, compared with the values of the patients in the aerobic exercise program.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on buddhism, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Effects of Buddhist Walking Meditation, Walking Meditation or Mindful Walking on the Health of Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review Psychiatry International October 13, 2025
- Effects of Buddhist Interventions in Their Original Context: A Meta-analysis Mindfulness March 25, 2026
- Embodied Mindfulness Through Movement: A Scoping Review of Dance-Based Interventions for Mental Well-Being in Recreational Populations. Healthcare September 5, 2025
- Impact of Religion-Based Mindful Walking Meditation on Cardiometabolic and Mental Health. Exercise and sport sciences reviews October 1, 2024
- Walking meditation versus balance training for improving balance abilities among older adults with history of fall: A randomized controlled trial Clinical Rehabilitation April 1, 2022
Cites 3
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