Reversal Effects of Meditation on Disorders in CAD Patients

 

Sindu Divakaran, G Umashankar*, Bethanney Janney J, Antony Sruthi P, Subeeksha A

Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai 119

 

ABSTRACT:

In the present global scenario there are endless numbers of people suffering from disorders related to the heart. The objective of this project is to study and determine the reversal effects of Preksha Meditation on disorders in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients. At present the therapy for CAD patients involves the use of steroid drugs which are synthetic in nature and can lead to adverse side effects. In order to study the role of Preksha Meditation as a drugless alternative medicine, a residential camp of 25 CAD patients were setup at a yoga centre. These patients were given regular meditation classes by trained instructors. During the camp, the parameters monitored are: Pulse Rate, Blood Pressure, Weight and Respiration Rate. At the end of the camp, a qualitative comparison of the measured parameters was done using the pre-camp and post-camp data. Graphical representation method shall be used to suggest the result of the study.

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Preksha Meditation, oldest of the Jainism meditation techniques is practiced primarily in south and south-east Asia but now it is also a popular form of meditation in Western countries .The term “Preksha” means “See yourself through yourself”¹. It is a technique of meditation that aims at bringing about positive attitudinal and behavioral changes through overall transformation in the personality². Although, the technique of Preksha Meditation is derived from the wisdom of ancient philosophy, it is authentically based on current scientific principles ³​.​The basic elements of Preksha Meditation are as follows

 

A.      Kayotsarga         Complete relaxation with self awareness

B.      Antaryatra          Internal trip of body and consciousness

C.      Svash Preksha    Perception of long breathing

D.      Sharit Preksha    Perception of body

E.      Chaitanya Kendra Preksha  Perception of psychic centres

F.       Leshya Dhyan    Perception of psychic colors

G.      Anupreksha and Bhavana   Contemplation and auto suggestion

H.      Asana and Pranayama          Postures and breathing process

I.        Dhvani and Mudra                Healing sound and hand posture

 

It is a proper and powerful meditation to annihilate the root causes of all physical diseases and disorders. Preksha Meditation initially drew attention for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety but it strengthens immune system, revitalizes body cells and improves mental balance.⁴

 

A.  CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD):

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a chronic process, which is developed by the formation of plaques inside the walls of coronary arteries, resulting in narrowing of lumens of coronary arteries⁵. Under this circumstance the amount of oxygenated blood supply to the heart muscle decreases leading to myocardial ischemia and subsequently myocardial infarction (MI) or sudden cardiac death. CAD is a leading cause of death in Western and Asian countries including India by 2020. The CAD treatment can be broadly categorized into two ways mainly - invasive and non-invasive approaches for treatment of CAD. Coronary Stent Replacement is an example of invasive method for treatment of CAD. But, it’s a medical examination procedure for which high-level technical expertise and high end technology are necessary. Moreover it is not possible to use for the purpose of screening of a large amount of masses in the developing countries especially India because it is a highly costly procedure. Among other methods many non invasive approaches are being used for the treatments of CAD such as medications and exercise^6,7. The work presented in this paper is the effect of Preksha Meditation on Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients from a medical dataset. This dataset contains medical records of twenty five coronary artery disease patients from camp conducted in New Delhi. The structure of these medical records is chain of observations taken at different times. In each observation, a set of clinical parameters are saved. The aim of this paper is to show out that Preksha meditation is one of the universally feasible solutions to the most distressed Coronary Artery Disease.^8,9

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A.THE CAMP:

A one month residential camp was organized. The camp was specially organized for heart patients suffering from Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). These patients belonged to the age group between 40 and 60 years. At the camp these patients practiced activities of Preksha Meditation with the help of experienced instructors. The patients were also given theory classes on physiological functioning of the body and various aspects related to meditation activities. The patients weren’t allowed to move outside the camp. The food served was with less oil and spices. The patients were made to follow a fixed schedule of their daily activities. The camp was supported by 2 residential cardiologists.

B. INSTRUMENTATION:

The instruments used to measure the parameters are as follows,

 

1.	Digital Sphygmomanometer	-	Blood Pressure
2.	Digital Pulse Monitor	-	Pulse Rate
3.	Weighing Scale	-	Weight
4.	Respirometer	-	Respiration Rate

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

The pre-camp and post camp data collected from the patients has been used to perform qualitative statistical analysis using graphical representation method. Graphs have been plot separately for Pre-Camp and Post-Camp data. From the graphs, it can be interpreted that the Post-camp curves sloping downward and as a drastic change compared to that of the Pre-Camp data. It can be determined that the shift of the Post-Camp has gradually decreased and has positive effects on the CAD patients. It is easy to visualize the reversal effects of meditation on the abnormal parameters in CAD patients.

 

GRAPH 1: ​Comparison of Pulse rate between Pre-Camp and Post-Camp

 

GRAPH 2: ​Comparison of Blood Pressure between Pre-Camp and Post-Camp

 

GRAPH 3: ​Comparison of Respiration Rate between Pre-Camp and Post-Camp

 

CONCLUSION:

From the Preksha Meditation camp, we obtained the clinical parameters of the CAD patients on the basis of Blood pressure, Pulse rate, Respiration rate and BMI. The values obtained were analyzed. After comparison, it was noted that there was a steady and gradual improvement in the CAD patient’s mental and physical health. A case study regarding various techniques of Preksha Meditation for CAD patients are being also being analyzed.

 

REFERENCES:

1.       Effects of Yogic intervention and Preksha Meditation. Journal of Associated Physicians of India, 2000.

2.       Nirmala Singh Rathore, Mahesh Kumar Choudhary. Impact of yoga on subjective well being and stress: A pre and post analysis. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology 2013; 4(1), 82-86.

3.       Singhvi M., and Puri P. Effects of preksha dhyana meditation on emotional intelligence and mental stress. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2008; 35, 82-89.

4.       Albert J. Arias. et al. Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Meditation Techniques as Treatments for Medical Illness. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006; 12(8): 817-832.

5.       Paula R. Pullen, et al. Effects of Yoga on Inflammation and Exercise Capacity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure, Journal of cardiac failure. 2008; Volume 14, Issue 5, Pages 407–413.

6.       S. C. Manchanda et al. Reversal of Coronary Atherosclerosis by Yoga Lifestyle Intervention, Frontiers in Cardiovascular Health. 2003; Volume 9, pp 535-547.

7.       John W. Zamarra.et al. Usefulness of the transcendental meditation program in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. The American Journal of Cardiology. 1996; Volume 77, Issue 10, 15, Pages 867-870.

8.       Maura Paul-Labrador et al. Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation on Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects With Coronary Heart Disease. Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166(11):1218-1224.

9.       King, MS, Carr, T, D'Cruz C, Transcendental meditation, hypertension and heart disease. Australian Family Physician. 2002; Volume 31 Issue 2.

 

 

 

 

 

Accepted on 02.08.2017          © RJPT All right reserved