Impact of Guided Meditation on Heart Rate Variability and Psychological Well-being in Critically Ill Obstetric Patients - A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Rachit Jayeshkumar Patel, Hasmukh Shah, Jalpaba Dharmendrasinh Chudasama, Smruti Bhalendu Vaishnav, Purvi R Patel, Abhishek M Prajapati, Shany Thomas, Bharatkumar M Prajapati, Bhalendu S Vaishnav
International Journal of Yoga 2025 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_100_25 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Critically ill obstetric patients in an Indian critical care unit, excluding those with hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias, or requiring mechanical ventilation |
| Intervention | Guided meditation |
| Duration | 20-minute daily sessions for three consecutive days |
| Measures | Heart rate variability indices (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, PNN50, high-frequency power, total power), pulse rate, blood pressure, Visual Analogue Scale scores for anxiety and well-being |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Autonomic nervous system Blood pressure Critical illness Heart rate variability Obstetric patients Psychological well-being |
| Key findings | Guided meditation produced significant improvements in heart rate variability indices indicating enhanced parasympathetic dominance, along with significant reductions in pulse rate and blood pressure and improvements in anxiety and well-being (Visual Analogue Scale scores), compared with standard care. The authors conclude that guided meditation is efficacious for autonomic and psychological well-being in critically ill obstetric patients. |
Abstract
Critically ill obstetric patients face a unique confluence of life-threatening physiological complications and heightened psychological distress. This population is particularly vulnerable to autonomic nervous system dysregulation, impacting cardiovascular and emotional stability. Conventional medical interventions often focus primarily on pharmacological interventions, neglecting the significant role of psychological well-being in recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of guided meditation (GM) on heart rate variability (HRV), hemodynamic parameters, and psychological well-being in critically ill obstetric patients. A parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in an Indian critical care unit. One hundred critically ill obstetric patients, excluding those with hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias, or requiring mechanical ventilation, were randomized into intervention (n = 50) and control groups. The intervention group received daily 20-min GM audio sessions for three consecutive days. The control group received standard care. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired t-tests, and trends across days through repeated measures ANOVA. Significant improvements were observed in HRV indices (standard deviation of normal-to-normal, root mean square of successive differences, NN50, PNN50, high-frequency, total power) in the GM group, indicating enhanced parasympathetic dominance. Significant reductions in pulse rate and blood pressure, and improvements in anxiety and well-being (Visual Analogue Scale scores) were also noted. GM demonstrates efficacy in improving autonomic health and psychological well-being in critically ill obstetric patients, highlighting the potential of integrating ancient Indian practices into modern critical care in this vulnerable population for promoting holistic recovery.
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 7
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- The Effects of Heart Rhythm Meditation on Vagal Tone and Well-being: A Mixed Methods Research Study Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback April 12, 2024
- Role of Meditation in Ameliorating Examination Stress Induced Changes in Cardiovascular and Autonomic Functions. Annals of Neurosciences July 2023
- Immediate Effects of OM Chanting on Heart Rate Variability Measures Compared Between Experienced and Inexperienced Yoga Practitioners. International Journal of Yoga 2022
and 2 more in the library