Meditation intervention in a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Victor de Melo Gomes, Thais Bandouk Carvalho Ogassawara
Fisioterapia em Movimento 2025 DOI: 10.1590/fm.2025.38303 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | One individual diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) |
| Intervention | Guided meditation |
| Duration | 25 guided meditation sessions; follow-up period not stated |
| Measures | WHOQOL-100, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | After 25 guided meditation sessions, the participant's quality of life improved, specifically in the physical, psychological, and personal relationships domains, while the independence level and environment domains declined. Sleep quality and functional capacity worsened, but the authors state these changes were not clinically significant. |
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness, atrophy, and stiffness. These symptoms severely compromise motor function, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. Meditation is a complementary practice that may enhance rehabilitation outcomes and overall quality of life for individuals with ALS by improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety, depression, and negative emotions.
Objective: To describe changes in quality of life, sleep quality, and functional capacity following a guided meditation intervention in a patient with ALS.
Methods: This study involved 25 guided meditation sessions with one individual diagnosed with ALS. Quality of life, sleep, and functional capacity were assessed pre and post-intervention using the WHOQOL-100, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale, respectively.
Results: The participant showed decreases across all variables. However, a positive change suggesting improvement was observed only for quality of life. She exhibited declines in the independence level and environment domains, but improvements were noted in the physical, psychological, and personal relationships domains. Although sleep quality and functional capacity worsened, these changes were not clinically significant.
Conclusion: The meditation intervention positively influenced quality of life in the physical, psychological, and personal relationships domains, despite declines in sleep quality and functional capacity.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain sources of EEG gamma frequency during volitionally meditation-induced, altered states of consciousness, and experience of the self Advanced meditator | 2001 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Mindfulness Meditation for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: A Feasibility Pilot Study Adult alcohol-dependent graduates of an intensive outpatient program | 2008 | Prospective case series | n = 19 |
| How does it feel to lack a sense of boundaries? A case study of a long-term mindfulness meditator. A single long-term mindfulness practitioner (S) with 40 years of practice in... | 2015 | Qualitative case study | n = 1 |
| Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia Individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative... | 2009 | Case study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Problem Gambling A female problem gambler | 2011 | Case study | n = 1 |