Heartfulness Meditation Improves Mental Well-Being in Health Care Students
Author Information
Author(s): Uzun Ece, Thakur Mansee, Desai Kunal, Thimmapuram Jayaram, Patel Kamlesh D, Bhatt Deepti, Chauhan Ajay, Madhusudhan Divya, Bhatt Kashyap K, Deshpande Snehal, Budhbhatti Urvi, Joshi Chaitanya
Primary Institution: WellSpan Health
Hypothesis
Does Heartfulness meditation improve mental well-being, biomarkers, and gene expression in health care students?
Conclusion
Heartfulness meditation practice was associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress scores, and improved health measures in DHEA-S and IL-6 levels.
Supporting Evidence
- The Heartfulness group showed a significant 17.35% reduction in perceived stress scores.
- DASS-21 scores decreased significantly by 27.14% in the Heartfulness group.
- DHEA-S levels increased significantly by 20.27% in the Heartfulness group.
- IL-6 levels decreased significantly in both groups, with a 28.6% reduction in the Heartfulness group.
- Gene expression analysis revealed 875 upregulated genes in the Heartfulness group.
Takeaway
Meditation can help students feel less stressed and anxious, making them happier and healthier.
Methodology
Participants were randomly assigned to either a Heartfulness meditation group or a control group, completing stress and mental health questionnaires and measuring biomarkers before and after 12 weeks.
Potential Biases
Potential unknown sources of bias including diet and personal life factors.
Limitations
The control group received no alternative activity, and many factors could influence inflammatory markers.
Participant Demographics
Health care students aged 18 or older from nursing, physiotherapy, and pharmacy programs.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P<.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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