Short Term Effects of Inner Engineering Completion Online Program on Stress and Well-Being Measures

Abstract

IntroductionThe Covid-19 pandemic has been a major disruptor of routine life, resulting in increased stress and predisposing people to negative outcomes, such as insomnia, anxiety and hopelessness. Mind-body interventions have improved concentration, emotional balance, and positive emotions, with an enhanced sense of productivity, and self-confidence. We therefore hypothesized that exposure to an online mind-body intervention, “Inner Engineering Completion Online (IECO),” would reduce stress and promote well-being.MethodsThis prospective cohort study enrolled participants registered for the IECO courses, which for the first time were delivered remotely, online. Participants learned a 21-min meditation practice called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya during the course, which incorporates controlled breathing and mediation techniques. Each enrolled participant was asked to complete self-reported electronic surveys at three key time points: at the time of consent, immediately after completing IECO, and 6 weeks after IECO completion. Effects of IECO practice were assessed using four well-validated neuropsychological scales: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Positive Emotion/Relationship/Engagement Scale (PERMA) Profiler, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). A Signed Rank test was used to analyze the survey data and P-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsOf the 375 participants interested in participation, 164 participants were eligible. Sixty-eight participants completed surveys at all time points and were identified as compliant participants. The baseline median score for PSS in compliant participants (n = 95) was 13.5 (IQR 9, 18); immediate post-IECO median PSS score was 12 (IQR 8, 16) demonstrating a 1.5 unit decrease in PSS scores (p-value = 0.0023). Similarly, comparing PSS scores in compliant participants (n = 68) for immediate Post IECO [11.5 (IQR 8, 15.5)] to PSS scores at six weeks [8 (IQR 4.5, 12.5)] showed a statistically significant 3.5-unit decrease, indicating a reduction in stress upon routine practice of the intervention (p < 0.0001).ConclusionIncorporating the remotely delivered mind-body intervention Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya into daily life via the IECO program over as few as 6 weeks produced a significant stress reduction, improvement in sleep quality and mindfulness.Clinical Trial Registration[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04189146].

Practice and proficiency of Isha Yoga for better mental health outcomes: insights from a COVID-19 survey

“…Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya is offered as part of the Inner Engineering program, which is designed to help individuals explore and enhance their inner well-being. Inner Engineering has two components: Inner Engineering Online (IEO) and Inner Engineering Completion (IEC) (32,33). IEO, a 4-week self-paced program, consists of seven 90-min sessions that provide participants with practical techniques and insights to manage their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.…”

“…Each of these practices is designed to enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing (26,(29)(30)(31)(32). Studies with Isha Yoga practices reported reduced stress levels, increased mindfulness, and enhanced well-being (23, 25,33,34), improved cardiac sympatho-vagal balance (29), heightened visual attention (35), elevated levels of BDNF and CAR (30), increased anandamide levels (36), enhanced immune system functioning indicated by higher anti-viral interferon gene expression (37), elevated EEG gamma power during meditation (38), and so on. Several survey studies were conducted among Isha Yoga practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they reported lower negative mental health outcomes and higher positive mental health outcomes, showing its potential as a useful mind-body intervention (23)(24)(25)34).…”