The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Cardiac Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Khurramov Azizbek, Aya Nabeel, Bashar Shaker Mahmood, Mohammed Jassim, Fahim Cheffat Salman, Alhan Abd Al-Hassan Shalal, Jasim Mohammed Abbas, Imad Ibrahim Dawood, Yusra Mohammed Ali
International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture October 22, 2026 DOI: 10.22122/ijbmc.v11isp.735 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Patients with coronary artery disease at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq |
| Intervention | standard care |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; assessments at baseline and post-intervention |
| Measures | Echocardiography, blood pressure measurements, self-report questionnaires |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR produced a greater increase in left ventricular ejection fraction than standard care (between-group difference 3.9 percentage points) and greater declines in diastolic (-3.8 mmHg) and systolic (-4.6 mmHg) blood pressure. Changes in psychological well-being correlated with changes in cardiac function in the MBSR group. The authors suggest MBSR may benefit cardiovascular health and stress management in CAD patients. |
Abstract
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major public health concern worldwide, and psychological stress is an important risk factor for CAD. MBSR, or mindfulness-based stress reduction, is showing promise as a non-medication intervention for stress management and cardiovascular health. This research aimed to evaluate the impacts of an MBSR program on cardiovascular performance in patients with CAD.
Methods: Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Iraq hosted a randomized controlled trial with 120 CAD patients. Participants were randomly placed into an MBSR group (n=60) or a control group (n=60) receiving standard care. Over eight weeks, the MBSR program participants engaged in weekly 2.5-hour sessions, incorporating mindfulness meditation, yoga, and body awareness techniques. Cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography and blood pressure measurements at baseline and post-intervention. Psychological well-being was evaluated using self-report questionnaires.
Results: A significantly greater increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was observed among participants in the MBSR group when measured against the control group, with a between-group difference of 3.9 percentage points (95% CI: 1.5 to 6.3, P = 0.002) at post-intervention. Significant declines in both diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were also observed in the MBSR group, with between-group differences of -3.8 mmHg (95% CI: -6.8 to -0.8, P = 0.013), and -4.6 mmHg (95% CI: -9.2 to -0.1, P = 0.047) respectively. Changes in psychological well-being were significantly correlated with changes in cardiac function in the MBSR group.
Conclusion: Engaging in an 8-week MBSR course can improve cardiac function and psychological well-being in patients with CAD. These findings suggest that incorporating MBSR into standard care for CAD patients may benefit cardiovascular health and stress management. Given the high burden of CAD in Iraq and other low- and middle-income countries, MBSR may represent a promising, culturally acceptable, and scalable intervention for the prevention and management of CAD. More investigation is necessary to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms of MBSR in diverse healthcare settings and populations.
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 |