Randomized Control Study to Evaluate the Effect of Rajyoga Meditation on Metabolic and Psychological Correlates of Health in Patients of Surgical Repair for Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Objectives: Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and their operative management are a source of emotional and financial stress to the patient and family. Rajyoga meditation (RYM) is a specific art and science of meditation that encompasses but is not limited to mind-body medicine theories, inculcation of values in life, and development of life skills for complete physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The role of RYM has never been studied in CHD patients, especially children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the RYM program on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and post-hospitalization behavior questionnaire (PHBQ) immediately after the program and after 1 and 3 months. Material and Methods: It was a single-blind, randomized controlled study. Subjects operated for CHD, in the age group of 8–19 years, were included in the study. Subjects in Group A received cardiac rehabilitation and RYM (Experimental group), whereas subjects in Group B received conventional cardiac rehabilitation (Control group). Result: At one-month follow-up, the experimental group showed a 14.18% reduction in RMR compared to baseline, whereas Group B showed 8.96% elevated RMR from baseline. Group A showed a more significant reduction in RMR at one-month follow-up from baseline as compared to group B (P < 0.05). The patients who underwent RYM training had higher PHBQ (−9.0 [−15.6, −2.5], P < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that the inclusion of RYM along with conventionally given cardiac rehabilitation enhanced metabolic resilience with lowered resting metabolism and enhanced recovery post-surgery in children operated on for CHD. There was an improvement in the psychological adjustment and behavior of adolescents.