The role of Rajyoga meditation for modulation of anxiety and serum cortisol in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: A prospective randomized control study

Abstract

Introduction:Rajyoga meditation is a form of mind body intervention that is promoted by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. This form of meditation can be easily performed without rituals or mantras and can be practiced anywhere at any time. The practice of Rajyoga meditation can have beneficial effects on modulating anxiety and cortisol level in patients undergoing major cardiac surgery.Materials and Methods:A prospective randomized control study was carried out in a single tertiary care center. One hundred and fifty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized in two groups namely, Group 1 (Rajyoga group) and Group 2 (Control Group). Anxiety was measured on a visual analog scale 1–10 before the start of Rajyoga training or patient counseling (T1), on the morning of the day of surgery (T2), on the 2nd postoperative day (T3), and on the 5th postoperative day (T4). The serum cortisol level was measured in the morning of the day of surgery (T1), on the 2nd postoperative day (T2) and on the 5th postoperative day (T3), respectively.Results:In the study, it was seen that the anxiety level of the patients before the surgery (T1) and on the day of surgery (T2) were comparable between the two groups. However on the 2nd postoperative day (T3), the patients who underwent Rajyoga training had lower anxiety level in comparison to the control group (3.12 ± 1.45 vs. 6.12 ± 0.14, P < 0.05) and on the 5th postoperative day (T4) it was seen that Rajyoga practice had resulted in significant decline in anxiety level (0.69 ± 1.1 vs. 5.6 ± 1.38, P < 0.05). The serum cortisol level was also favorably modulated by the practice of Rajyoga meditation.Conclusion:Mindbody intervention is found to effective in reducing the anxiety of the patients and modulating the cortisol level in patients undergoing wellknown stressful surgery like coronary artery bypass surgery.

Guided imagery relaxation therapy on preoperative anxiety: a randomized clinical trial

“…It was found that the participants’ level of anxiety before surgery (T1) and on the day of surgery (T2) was comparable between the two groups. However, in the second postoperative day (T3), participants submitted to Raja Yoga sessions presented lower level of anxiety compared to the control group, and on the fifth postoperative day (T4), it was observed that the practice of Raja Yoga resulted in significant decline in blood cortisol levels and anxiety levels ( 25 ) .…”

Stress Levels, Attitudes towards Specialty and Job Satisfaction among Indian Urologists- A Cross Sectional Study

“…Yoga and Meditation improve psychological well-being, self-confidence, relive stress, facilitate positive experience, reduces pain perception, headaches and improve sleep. 17,18 Measures that can be taken by Urology Faculty, USI and other National Medical Bodies like IMA  Strengthen USI at local, state and National levels-encourage membership.  Initiate large scale multicentre studies and rephrase the rules and regulations regarding working hours, various state and central government health schemes, remuneration given to various physicians and surgeons 9 .…”

Quality of life improvement with rehabilitation according to constitution of the World Health Organization for coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients: A descriptive review

“…Even though there are positive results with meditation techniques for different diseases by modulating the cortisol levels before CABG,[ 44 ] the postoperative condition has yet to be addressed. Hence, psychological health is well served by surgery and rehabilitation treatments when combined with counseling sessions and meditation techniques of Yoga .…”