Meditation Techniques Research Articles

Effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique on Anxiety, Depression, and Plasma Neurotransmitters on a Healthy Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial Followed by a Case-Control Study.

Objective: We aimed to study the short-term effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM) technique in anxiety and depression states and to have a better understanding on the underlying physiological changes related to short-term and long-term IAM practice. Design: Short-term IAM practitioners (ST-IAM) and long-term IAM practitioners (LT-IAM) were compared to control groups of the same age and naïve to yoga and meditation (ST-control and LT-control, respectively). Settings/Location: Kerala, India. Subjects: People that did not suffer from any major medical condition. All participants were naïve to yoga and meditation practices, except for the 5 LT-IAM practitioners. Intervention: ST-IAM practitioners underwent 2 community IAM practices and 5 individual IAM practices. LT-IAM practitioners (performing IAM regularly for more than 4 years) underwent a community IAM practice before the study. Outcome measures: Anxiety and depression states and physiological parameters from ST-IAM and ST-control groups were assed in two different visits (before and after the week of IAM practice or control condition). LT-IAM and LT-control subjects' physiological measurements were taken in only one visit. Results: Short-term IAM practice significantly decreased anxiety and depression states; two way ANOVA indicated differences on anxiety and depression scores across visits between ST-IAM and ST-control groups (Group effect: F(1, 25) = 6.083, p = 0.0209; F(1, 25) = 4.449, p = 0.0451). However, no changes were observed on their physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and dopamine and GABA plasma levels). Interestingly, LT-IAM practitioners showed increased GABA plasma levels than the LT-control group (p = 0.0358, t = 2.521, df = 8). Conclusions: Our study indicates the possible role of IAM technique on modulations of the plasma GABAergic levels and shows that one week of IAM practice is accompanied by a significant decrease of anxiety and depression states in the healthy population.

SPORT INJURIES AND ITS MANAGEMENT THROUGH AYURVEDA

A sport injury is a type of injury which can be defined as any kind of injury, pain or physical damage that occurs during sports, exercise, or any physical activity. Sports medicine helps people in improving their performance in sports, fast recovery from injury and prevent future injuries. Ayurveda being the oldest science to serve mankind can prove to be the best science in management of the sport injuries. Various methods mentioned in Ayurveda classics like Vyayama (physical exercise), Abhyanga (an-ointment), Rasayana (rejuvenation) Therapy, Marma (vi- tal points) Therapy, yogic practices, Pranayamas (meditation technique) etc. proves to be a boon for a sports person for his performance as well as to overcome the physical and mental trauma suffered during the sport. Keywords: sport injury, sport medicine, Vyayama, Marma INTRODUCTION A sport injury is a type of injury which can be defined as any kind of injury, pain or physical damage that oc- curs during sports, exercise, or any physical activity. It is most commonly the musculoskeletal injuries which include muscle, bones, cartilage and associated tissue. Sports injuries can be caused by an accident, impact,

Volgens het boekje: Gerard Leeus Nederlandstalige editie van de Meditationes de vita et passione Jesu Christi

This essay explores the Dutch recension of the richly illustrated Latin Meditationes de vita et passione Jesu Christi, a weekly excersie that went directly into print and was first published by Gerard Leeu in Antwerp on 10 February 1485. The Dutch text appeared about two years later, on 5 Janruary 1487. Both the Dutch and the Latin texts contain at their core the sixty-five prayers on the Passion (from Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to his funeral) from Jordan of Quedlinburg’s Meditationes de passione Christi (1365). Each of the prayers is accompanied by a woodcut, which in itself was an important innovation and departure from previous manuscript transmission that did not systematically illustrate each prayer. Furthermore, the compiler of the weekly exercise used Jordan’s prayers as his reference point, and divided them over five days of the week (Monday-Friday). He added other (meditative) texts and prayers so that readers are presented with an exercise for each day of the week that permits them to meditate on the entire life of Christ (from Mary’s visit to Elizabeth to Mary’s Ascension), as well as on other subjects, such as the four last things (death, judgement, hell, heaven) throughout the week. Here, images are also used as an integral part of the meditative exercise. The printed text might have been based on a similar exercise found in a manuscript from South-Holland, currently held at The Hague, Royal Library, 133 H 1. Moreover, the Dutch edition of 1487 is not just a translation of Leeu’s earlier Latin edition: apart from changes to its physical appearance, the text has undergone a siginificant reworking as well. The meditations to be performed before lunch, before and after dinner, and before going to sleep, are longer and much more detailed than in the Latin edition, allowing unexperienced readers to use these ‘intimate scripts’ in their meditations. Leeu’s parallel editions of the Latin and Dutch Meditationes thus provided various groups of readers (Latinate, non-Latinate, those familiar with meditative techniques and the Gospels, and those who were not) to participate in affective meditation on Christ’s life and to deepen their spiritual lifes in a similar fashion despite the differences in their background.

What Do Meditators Do When They Meditate? Proposing a Novel Basis for Future Meditation Research

ObjectivesMeditation is an umbrella term for a vast range of contemplative practices. Former proposals have struggled to do justice to this variety. To our knowledge, there is to date no comprehensive overview of meditation techniques spanning all major traditions. The present studies aimed at providing such a comprehensive list of meditation techniques.MethodsIn a qualitative study, we compiled a collection of 309 meditation techniques through a literature search and interviews with 20 expert meditators. Then, we reduced this collection to 50 basic meditation techniques. In a second, quantitative study, 635 experienced meditators from a wide range of meditative backgrounds indicated how much experience they had with each of these 50 meditation techniques.ResultsMeditators’ responses indicated that our choice of techniques had been adequate and only two techniques had to be added. Our additional statistical and cluster analyses illustrated preferences for specific techniques across and within diverse traditions as well as sets of techniques commonly practiced together. Body-centered techniques stood out in being of exceptional importance to all meditators.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we found an amazing variety of meditation techniques, which considerably surpasses previous collections. Our selection of basic meditation techniques might be of value for future scientific investigations and we encourage researchers to use this set.

090 Strategies for Dealing with or Ameliorating Excessive Sleepiness: Beliefs and Attitudes of People with Daytime Sleepiness

Abstract Introduction Sleepiness impacts health and functioning, but despite available treatments, many do not seek care. Beliefs and attitudes about treatments for sleepiness and other sleep problems may be useful to know in designing and targeting interventions. Methods N=28 participants with excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS>=10) but no other major medical problems were recruited from the community. They were administered an Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Fatigue Severity Scale at baseline, and asked about a wide range of beliefs/attitudes about mitigating sleepiness, and whether they Strongly Agree(SA), Agree(A), Disagree(D), or Strongly Disagree(SD) with them. Ordinal logistic regressions examined agreement associated with baseline sleepiness and fatigue, adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity (nominal significance p<0.05). Results When asked which strategies are helpful for dealing with or fixing daytime sleepiness, baseline agreement was as follows: Just “power through it” (SA:9%,A:55%,D:32%,SD:5%). Caffeine (SA:18%,A:55%,D:27%). Vigorous exercise (SA:9%,A:36%,D:55%). Mild or moderate movement or exercise (SA:14%,A:82%,D:5%). Trying to get better sleep at night (SA:36%,A:64%). Eating or drinking something to help “wake you up” (SA:27%,A:45%,D:23%,SD:5%). Napping (SA:27%,A:64%,D:9%). Giving up and letting yourself be sleepy (SA:9%,A:42%,D:45%,SD:5%). Improve your diet/eat healthy (SA:42%,A:55%,D:5%). Relaxing activities at night (SA:27%,A:68%,D:5%). Meditation, breathing exercises, or other relaxation techniques (SA:45%,A:45%,D:9%). Watching TV, browsing the internet, or other distracting activities (SA:5%,A:36%,D:45%,SD:14%). Just keep moving (SA:9%,A:55%,D:42%,SD:5%). Setting alarms (SA:18%,A:68%,D:14%). Take prescription medication to improve sleep (SA:5%,A:27%,D:42%,SD:27%). Take over-the-counter medication to improve sleep (SA:5%,A:27%,D:59%,SD:9%). Take prescription stimulant medication (SA:5%,A:32%,D:45%,SD:18). Take over-the-counter stimulant medication (SA:5%,A:27%,D:55%,SD:14%). Take prescription medication that reduces daytime sleepiness (SA:5%,A:36%,D:41%,SD:18%). Take over-the-counter medication that reduces daytime sleepiness (SA:5%,A:27%,D:50%,SD:18%). Those with higher levels of baseline sleepiness were more likely to endorse the following as good strategies to handle daytime sleepiness, “Take over-the-counter medication to improve sleep” (oOR=1.55, p=0.04), “Take prescription medication to improve sleep” (oOR=1.49, p=0.01), and “napping” (oOR=2.55, p=0.03). Those with higher baseline fatigue were less likely to endorse “just ‘powering_through’” (oOR=0.81, p=0.02) as a good strategy of handling daytime sleepiness. Conclusion Real-world beliefs and attitudes about ways of mitigating effects of sleepiness range from medical to behavioral. Those with greater baseline sleepiness may be more amenable to medication. Support (if any) This work was supported by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

682 How doctors sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey

IntroductionSleep deprivation is known amongst doctors (working hours of doctors in developing countries are long and not tightly regulated) and the COVID-19 pandemic may make it worse. We conducted this survey to assess the quantitative and qualitative effects of this pandemic on the sleep of doctors.MethodsA survey was created on Google Forms and it was circulated / sent through WhatsApp for voluntary participation amongst several groups of doctors and individually as well.ResultsWe received 304 responses from doctors of various specialties, cadres and background. Our results showed that 52% of them were involved in direct clinical care of COVID-19 patients. 55.8% doctors reported changes in sleep pattern and 37.2% reported reduced duration of sleep, as compared to the time before the pandemic. More than 50% of them slept for less than 7 hours a night since the beginning of the pandemic. 37% had difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep. 30% had difficulty in concentration and functioning during day-time. Non-refreshing sleep was experienced by 36.3% of them and 18.8% of physicians had recollected having COVID-19 related dreams. 33% doctors’ last thought before sleep and first thought after waking up were about COVID-19. 36% doctors looked for information about COVID-19 on media immediately before going to sleep and immediately after waking up. More than 60% doctors started meditation, exercise, yoga or relaxation techniques for getting better sleep.ConclusionA further decline in duration and quality of sleep due to the COVID-19 pandemic amongst already sleep-deprived doctors may be detrimental not only to their own health but for patient-care also.Support (if any):

Role of Mind-Body Intervention on Lipid Profile: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Yoga is a combination of physical-breathing and meditative techniques that assist in the unification of the mind–body, which improves the quality of life. It was shown that long-term Yoga practitioners had superior control over respiratory rate, reduced stress and anxiety, and a better-controlled lipid profile.Purpose: We aimed to investigate the lipid profile of long-term yoga practitioners who were practicing yoga for more than 1 year in comparison with the nonyoga group.Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in which the long-term yoga practitioners (n = 76) and nonyoga practitioners (n = 80) were recruited for assessment for the lipid parameters.Results: The mean (standard deviation) values of both groups were within normal range with serum cholesterol at 189.715 ± 20.4 and 180.88 ± 29.7 and triglycerides at 216.72 ± 92.5 and 207.665 ± 88.3, low-density lipoprotein at 126.65 ± 18.5 and 120.775 ± 26.5, and high-density lipoprotein at 47.17 ± 6.6 and 44.99 ± 7.0, respectively, in yoga and no-yoga groups.Conclusion: The lipid profile values were similar in yoga and nonyoga practitioners in the 2017 survey.

L’approche méditative de concentration au sein des prises en charge thérapeutiques et son impact sur la santé mentale : une revue de la littérature sur des essais cliniques contrôlés et randomisés

Research on meditation in the field of complementary and alternative therapies is increasingly important. Indeed, many works highlight the beneficial effects in terms of physical and mental health of meditation. Within the framework of the two main directions of meditation techniques (concentration and mindfulness), we will focus in this study on concentration meditation (mantra and transcendental meditation). After having framed the notion at a theoretical level, we will develop a review of the literature (randomized, before/after comparison) on this form of practice by precisely targeting transcendent and mantra meditation as well as other forms using only concentration in order to highlight the therapeutic effects of this approach on mental health and to emphasize its effectiveness. However, we will remain cautious about issuing hasty conclusions on the systematic beneficial effects of this practice by highlighting the importance of the methodological limitations that we find in this work for the past 40 years by proposing avenues for improvement.

The effect of spiritual care on quality of life of patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2: a clinical trial

This study aimed to investigate effect of a spiritual care on quality of life of patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2. The current study was a clinical trial. Fifty four patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2 referred to Al-Zahra hospital at Isfahan was allocated to two case and control groups. Spiritual care training including transcendental meditation (T.M) technique was established for case group. Participants in case group performed fourweeks of meditation technique following participating in sessions of meditation technique training. Data gathering was done using a standard tool to assess quality of life in patients with diabetes (diabetes quality of life: DQOL). Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Mean score of quality of life in the four areas of quality of life was not significantly different among case and control groups at baseline, however, mean score of quality of life in case group (2.25±0.56) was significantly better than control group (2.52±0.38) after intervention (p<0.001). Given findings of the study, it seems that spiritual care can improve quality of life of patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2.

The impact of Tai Chi and mind-body breathing in COPD: Insights from a qualitative sub-study of a randomized controlled trial.

PurposeChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with multiple psychosocial and behavioral factors. Prior research suggests that mind-body interventions may support the development and maintenance of healthy behaviors and improve health-related quality-of-life in such patients. We sought to qualitatively explore cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral changes in patients with COPD who participated in two different mind-body interventions compared to an education control.MethodsWe analyzed semi-structured qualitative exit interviews from a prospective, randomized pilot trial (N = 123) investigating 12-weeks of Tai Chi (TC) vs. mind-body breathing (MBB) vs. education (EDU) control in patients with moderate-severe COPD. TC involved traditional movements, that integrate meditative breathing, while MBB focused mainly on meditative breathing techniques alone. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis of randomly selected transcripts was performed by two independent reviewers using an iterative process to identify emergent themes informed by grounded theory methods until thematic saturation was reached.ResultsA total of 66 transcripts were reviewed (N = 22 TC, N = 22 MBB, N = 22 EDU). Participants were mean age = 68.1 years, GOLD Stage = 2.3, baseline FEV11 percent predicted mean (SD): 58% (13.4), 42.4% female. We identified six frequently mentioned themes: 1) overall awareness and understanding, 2) self-care knowledge, skills and behaviors, 3) behavior-related neurocognitive concepts, 4) physical function, 5) psychological well-being, and 6) social support/social function. Compared to EDU, more participants in TC and MBB noted improvements in awareness of self and the mind-body connection (e.g., body and breath awareness), knowledge of breathing techniques and integration of self-care skills with daily activities, self-efficacy for symptom management (particularly managing anxiety and dyspnea), acceptance of disease, physical function improvements (e.g., endurance, dyspnea, fatigue), and psychological well-being (particularly relaxation, emotion regulation and decreased reactivity). Compared to MBB, those in TC shared more intention to continue with self-care behaviors, physical activity self-efficacy, and improved flexibility. All three groups, including EDU, noted increased social support and knowledge of disease. Those in EDU, however, had fewer mentions of processes related to behavior change, and less concrete changes in neurocognitive, psychological, and physical function domains.ConclusionsMind-body interventions including meditative breathing may impact behavior-related neurocognitive and emotional factors that improve self-care management and support positive behavioral changes in patients with COPD.Trial registrationThis trial is registered in Clinical Trials.gov, ID number NCT01551953.

Burn-out syndrome in healthcare practitioners- a narrative literature review

IntroductionBurn-out syndrome is an underestimated entity in the medical environment, and lack of health policies for screening, prevention and early phase treatment strategies may be responsable for complications of this syndrome, e.g. major depression, substance use disorders, or anxiety disorders. Large variations in the estimation of burn-out prevalence in healthcare providers may be related to poorly designed epidemiological trials and lack of well-defined criteria for diagnosis.ObjectivesTo analyse the current evidence in the literature about the diagnosis and treatment of burn-out syndrome in physicians and auxiliary personnel.Methods A literature review was performed through the main medical databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews, PubMed, Thomson Reuters/Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL) using the search paradigm “burn-out” AND “healthcare providers” OR “physicians” AND “nurses”. All papers published between January 2000 and August 2020 were included in the primary analysis.Results A large number of papers were detected in the primary analysis (n=245), but only 15 remained after the inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Maslach Inventory for Burnout is the most extensively used instrument for screening, but its validity is questioned, and new instruments have been created, but less frequently applied. Cognitive behavioral therapy led to improvement of the emotional exhaustion in multiple trials. Meditation techniques, music therapy, structured physical exercises, and management-related interventions have been associated with low to moderate degree of success.ConclusionsBurn-out syndrome is a still insufficiently explored diagnosis and more good-quality epidemiological and clinical trials are needed in order to support adequate prevention and treatment strategies.

EFFECT OF A 12-WEEK YOGA-BASED LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION ON VASCULAR INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN PRE-DIABETIC OVERWEIGHT/OBESE INDIAN ADULTS

Objective: To study the effect of a 12-week yoga-based lifestyle intervention (YBLI) on circulating levels of inflammatory markers in prediabetic overweight/obese Indian adults. Design and method: Prospective, single-arm, lifestyle intervention study was conducted in 59 prediabetic (n = 59) (fasting plasma glucose, FPG 100 to 125 mg/dL), overweight/ obese (body mass index; BMI 23–40 Kg/m2) subjects. The subjects were assigned with pretested YBLI consisting of asanas, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation techniques with group support, dietary advice under supervision for approx. 2 hrs each day for 2 weeks followed by continuation of the practices at home for next 10 weeks. Outcome measures were weight, waist to hip ratio (WHR), FPG, serum insulin, blood pressure (BP), homeostatic model insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leptin, adiponectin measured before and after the intervention. Results: Results: After intervention, subjects (mean age = 38.5 ± 5.5 years, BMI = 30.4 ± 4.1 Kg/m2) had significant reduction in weight, WHR, diastolic BP, and HOMA-IR. There was statistically significant reduction in IL-6 {median (range) 1.1 (0.5, 2.4) vs. 0.8 (0.4,1.5) pg/mL, p = 0.02} and leptin {22.9 (13.9, 45.0) vs. 21.6 (12.0, 42.6) ng/mL, p &lt; 0.01)}; and significant increase in adiponectin {6.0 (4.4, 7.6) vs. 6.5 (4.7, 9.2) ng/mL, p &lt; 0.02); while no significant difference was noticed in TNF-alpha levels. Conclusions: Conclusion: A 12-week YBLI might effectively modify levels of IL-6, leptin, and adiponectin as observed in this study and overall reduction in inflammation in obesity.

Impact of Guided Imagery on Depression, Stress and Anxiety among Wives of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact of Guided Imagery (GI) on Depression, Stress andAnxiety among wives of patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Many studies have examined theprotective factors associated with individual’s mental illness. In some studies, consumption of Alcohol hadan inverse relationship to mental health problems, whereas in other studies, it leads to serious effects on thefamily members of the AUD patients. If not properly managed, stress can lead to disturbances in cognitivefunctioning, mood-related problems, obesity, and heart disease. Guided imagery has been shown to be aneffective technique to help people recover from stress. The literature on guided imagery, however, doesnot take the theme of the guided imagery script into account. Additionally, there are gaps in the researchregarding any interaction between rurality and mood, stress, and guided imagery. Guided Imagery describestechniques that use visualizations and draw on the participants’ active imagination and mental imagery.It typically involves a person directing the mental exercises and the participants are guided throughsuggestions to evoke specific images. It is used as psychotherapy, as a relaxation or meditation technique,or experimentally to evoke specific emotional states.Guided Imagery is cost effective, noninvasive, nonpharmacologicalcomplementary and alternative therapy to reduce the level of depression, stress and anxietyamong wives of AUD patients.

Meditation as panacea: A longitudinal semantic network analysis of meditation coverage in campus newspapers from 1997–2018

Objective Media framing of health issues reflects public opinion and impacts readers’ perceptions and behavior. This study examines how meditation — a recommended stress coping strategy for college students — is framed in campus newspapers from 1997-2018. Participants A total of 494 articles were analyzed. Methods Semantic network analysis was used to automatically detect frames and the longitudinal trend. Results Five major frames emerged: (1) building a meditation community within a campus community, (2) meditation benefits, (3) yoga for enhancing mind and body awareness, (4) meditation techniques, and (5) secularizing meditation on campus. There is a shift in coverage from interest in religion to secular views of health benefits throughout the years. Discussions of adverse effects that have emerged from the literature were entirely absent. Conclusions The trend of secularizing meditation practices on college campuses is evident. Emphasizing the techniques and benefits could encourage participation and build a learning community.

Experiencing The Space: Visiting Cemeteries On All Saints’ Day and an Ordinary Day

This paper is a description of collaborative research that was done together with students during the class “Contemplative Sociology. Experiencing Self, No-Self and the Lifeworld.” The goal of the research was to introduce the students to the contemplative methods that could be used to research lived experiences and the vision of the lifeworld through contemplation of the mind, bodily sensations, and emotions. A project was started on experiencing the cemetery space. The space for experiencing was chosen to sensitize the students to concerns (such as death, religious holidays, everyday life, suffering, etc.) that could be investigated from the first-person perspective by using contemplation as an alternative to survey-sociological methods, psychological methods and ethnography. The students learned the contemplative techniques of meditation, body awareness, self- observation, and self-description to face their concerns, including the ultimate ones. However, the main concern was the role of the mind, body and emotions in cognition and creating the mood.

The Technology of Awakening: Experiments in Zen Phenomenology

In this paper, I investigate the phenomenology of awakening in Chinese Zen Buddhism. In this tradition, to awaken is to ‘see your true nature’. In particular, the two aspects of awakening are: (1) seeing that the nature of one’s self or mind is empty or void and (2) an erasing of the usual (though merely apparent) boundary between subject and object. In the early Zen tradition, there are many references to awakening as chopping off your head, not having eyes, nose and tongue, and seeing your ‘Original Face’. These references bear a remarkable resemblance to an approach to awakening developed by Douglas Harding. I will guide the reader through a series of Harding’s first-person experiments which investigate the gap where you cannot see your own head. I will endeavour to show that these methods, although radically different from traditional meditation techniques, result in an experience with striking similarities to Zen accounts of awakening, in particular, as experiencing oneself as empty or void and yet totally united with the given world. The repeatability and apparent reliability of these first-person methods opens up a class of awakening experience to empirical investigation and has the potential to provide new insights into nondual traditions.

Aymara Childrens’ Practice of Transcendental Meditation in Perú: A Learning History Model of Parent and Teacher Perceptions

ABSTRACT Practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique in schools and universities throughout the world has been well researched over a 50-year period suggesting it is a useful tool for student development and learning. However, introduction of the practice into school systems throughout Latin America is a relatively recent phenomenon and no research has been published on the likely or actual outcomes from this initiative. Moreover, research conducted on the practice in international settings has typically involved investigation of standard educational variables – such as academic performance, intelligence, and behavior – and has mostly used only quantitative methods and designs to do so. For this study, conducted on the practice in Puno, Perú, we have adopted a learning history approach using a third-person action research method of semi-structured interviews to hear and understand the distinct voices of parents and teachers about the consequences of practicing Transcendental Meditation on the personal, academic and social lives of Aymara school children. Results from frequency and saliency analysis indicate that a series of confirmatory as well as unique knowledge outcomes have emerged in this setting, and these are discussed in the context of international empirical results to create a learned history of the practice in Perú.

Exploring the Relationship Between Perceived Visual Access to Nature and Nurse Burnout.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between perceived visual access to nature views in nurse work and break environments and scores for subscales of Maslach Burnout Inventory among nurses. Burnout is a severe problem among nurses. Literature shows a relationship between stress and burnout and between nature exposure and stress. However, the possible consequent relationship between connection to nature and nurse burnout needs further study. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between the subscales (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment [EE, DP, and PA]) of the Maslach Burnout Inventory as "outcome variables" and perception of view duration, frequency of exposure to views, view content and artwork content as "explanatory variables" in a subset regression model. The study model also included organizational stressors, environmental design factors, unit type, workload, and personal factors as control variables. Fifty-one nurses working in six units in a large tertiary care hospital participated in the study. Percentage of perceived nature views and organizational stressors were the top two best predictors correlating with EE (37% of the EE variance; p < .05). Percentage of perceived nature views, organizational stressors, and environmental design were the top three predictors correlating with DP (43% of variance for DP; p < .05). No significant relationship was found between study variables and PA. The results of this study recommend perceiving nature views as an independent or integrated intervention to meditation and relaxation techniques. From a design standpoint, this study suggests that a unit and breakroom design with access to nature views could work as a consistent preventive intervention for burnout.

Effects of Combining Meditation Techniques on Short-Term Memory, Attention, and Affect in Healthy College Students.

Meditation refers to a family of self-regulation practices that focuses on training attention and awareness to foster psycho-emotional well-being and to develop specific capacities such as calmness, clarity, and concentration. We report a prospective convenience-controlled study in which we analyzed the effect of two components of Preksha Dhyāna – buzzing bee sound meditation (Mahapran dhvani) and color meditation (leśyā dhyāna) on healthy college students. Mahapran and leśya dhyāna are two Preksha Dhyāna practices that are based on sound and green color, respectively. The study population represents a suitable target as college students experience different stress factors during the school year. This study measures the individual and combined effects of two techniques (one focusing on sound and one focusing on color), on short-term memory, attention, and affect, in novice meditators. We used a battery of cognitive, performance, and compared results with baseline and control values. We found improved cognition, especially attention, short-term memory, and affect in terms of positivity and reduced negativity. Overall, the two techniques produced variable benefits and subjects showed improved scores over baseline for short-term memory, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing. Further studies are required to understand underlying mechanisms for the observed differences between the two techniques and to elucidate mechanisms underlying the more pronounced and global benefits observed with the combined techniques. These results underscore a need to examine individual components of meditation practices in order to individualize treatment approaches for attention disorders in young adults.Clinical Trail Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03779269.

Yoga Improves Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Patients

Yoga was a therapy that combined breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques and stretching exercises. The benefits of yoga in general could increase strength, flexibility, train balance, reduce pain, train breathing, smooth organ function, inner calm and improve quality of life. Several differences in the results of studies can influence the decisions of patients and health providers in planning appropriate interventions for breast cancer patients. This literature review aimed to explain the effectiveness of yoga on the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. The research data were identified from five journal databases including PubMed, JSTOR, Willey Online Library, Sage Journal and Taylor Francis Online by using the PIOS (Participant, Intervention, Outcomes and Study Design) method and MeSH term on the advanced search engine. Articles that became research data were articles published in 2007 to 2020 in the English version, open access and full text in the form of original articles or research articles. Of the 1,645 articles found, a screening process was carried out using PRISMA flowchart to eliminate articles that did not meet the criteria. In this literature review study, 9 articles were found that prove that the use of yoga interventions could improve the quality of life of patients. This study reinforced the findings of previous research which showed that yoga could be used effectively in the process of treating patients with breast cancer.