There is increasing scientific evidence1-3 that meditation has positive effects on the following clinical conditions :
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Depression
- Immune functioning
- Insomnia
- Physical or emotional symptoms that may be associated with
chronic illnesses (quality of life in patients who have a variety of
chronic diseases, including heart disease, HIV-AIDS, and cancer)
- Skin disorders
- Overall wellness
Research findings on the effects of meditation on chronic disease include:
- Decreased stress, including demonstrated associations with decreased cortisol and catecholamine levels4
- Decreased depression and stress among health care workers4
- Decreased stress and mood disturbance among patients with cancer using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)5
References :
1 Hart J. (2006) Clinical applications for meditation. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, DOI: 10.1089/act.2006.13104.
2 Walsh R., Shapiro S.L. (2006) The meeting of meditative disciplines and Western psychology. American Psychologist 61, 227-239.
3 Cahn B.R., Polich J. (2006) Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psychological Bulletin 132, 180-211.
4 Bonadonna R. (2003) Meditation's impact on chronic illness. Holistic Nursing Practice 17, 309-319.
5
Speca M., Carlson L.E., Goodey E., Angen M. (2000) A randomized,
wait-list controlled clinical trial: The effect of a mindfulness
meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress
in cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine 62, 613-622.
|
