scholarly journals EEG Derived Neuronal Dynamics during Meditation: Progress and Challenges

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chamandeep Kaur ◽  
Preeti Singh

Meditation advances positivity but how these behavioral and psychological changes are brought can be explained by understanding neurophysiological effects of meditation. In this paper, a broad spectrum of neural mechanics under a variety of meditation styles has been reviewed. The overall aim of this study is to review existing scientific studies and future challenges on meditation effects based on changing EEG brainwave patterns. Albeit the existing researches evidenced the hold for efficacy of meditation in relieving anxiety and depression and producing psychological well-being, more rigorous studies are required with better design, considering client variables like personality characteristics to avoid negative effects, randomized controlled trials, and large sample sizes. A bigger number of clinical trials that concentrate on the use of meditation are required. Also, the controversial subject of epileptiform EEG changes and other adverse effects during meditation has been raised.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-338
Author(s):  
Kamna Yadav ◽  
Samanta Puspak Kumar Jena

Evidence suggested that mindfulness-based techniques have been effective in increasing psychological well-being. The present meta-analytic study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness-based programmes on anxiety, and depression in cancer infected and survivors. Improvement in mindfulness across groups were also studied. Using various search items (e.g., MBCT, MBSR, Cancer). A systematic search of the electronic databases, reference list, and journal content lists were conducted from June 2011 to June 2020. Fourteen randomized controlled trials (N = 1831) evaluating effect of mindfulness in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer, measuring at pre-and-post interventions were included in this study. Random effects model was utilized for effect-size calculation. Interventions were between 5-8 weeks, with majority of participants been female (98.79%). Significant medium effect was observed for anxiety (g = 0.34) and depression (g = 0.32) with moderate heterogeneity and higher for mindfulness (g = 1.061) with high heterogeneity. Publication bias was not observed. Mindfulness has substantial effects in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer infected and survivors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382110247
Author(s):  
Haya Ibrahim Ali Abu Maloh ◽  
Kim Lam Soh ◽  
Mohannad Eid AbuRuz ◽  
Seng Choi Chong ◽  
Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Benson’s relaxation technique on anxiety and depression among patients undergoing hemodialysis. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted. Searching databases included EBSCO Host, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Sage Journals, Ovid, and Google Scholar from January 2000 to September 2020. Five randomized controlled trials were identified. Findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in anxiety score. Concerning depression; one RCT showed a statistically significant decrease and two RCTs revealed a non-significant difference in depression level. The overall quality of the RCTs was not high. Despite that the RCTs showed benefits of BRT in managing anxiety. However, this is not the same for depression. The lack of high-quality scientific evidence supporting its retinue use indicates that additional well designed randomized controlled trials in multiple countries are warranted to support the efficacy of Benson’s relaxation technique on anxiety and depression among patients undergoing hemodialysis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S174-S174
Author(s):  
Rebeca Pardo Cebrián ◽  
Eduardo González-Fraile ◽  
Teresa Sánchez-Gutiérrez ◽  
Sara Barbeito ◽  
Belén Fernández-Castilla ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although the use of technological advances in psychiatric treatment is relatively recent, the availability and sophistication of technologies are growing, research on psychological interventions for patients with psychosis has incorporated the use of various electronic applications, social networks, and other similar tools to provide new methods/routes of communication between therapists and patients. This new therapeutic approach may provide patients with personalized, flexible, and evidence-based interventions in their communities and even in their own homes. The aim of this study is reviewing the scientific literature about the use of online intervention for patients with psychosis to show the current state of online intervention and asses the effectiveness of these treatments. Methods The review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We have identified articles from Pubmed and Medline databases. We included all randomized controlled trials designed to test the efficacy of the online intervention or web-based intervention to patients with psychosis. We excluded observational trials, non-randomised trial and protocol study. Studies with RCT design and the participants must not have more than 5 to 10 years of evolution since the diagnosis, and the papers have been published between 2010 and 2019, in English language. The researchers independently assessed the articles and the discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results We presented data about all randomized controlled trials of online interventions/ e-Health interventions/ App-mobile based and/or computer based intervention programs than were specifically designed for people with first episode psychosis or psychotic symptoms that had measured changes in functioning, quality of life or positive/negative symptoms. As unique treatment or as a complementary treatment with other psychological or psychopharmacology intervention. Discussion Online psychological interventions can play an important role in the well-being of people with schizophrenia. The strengths and limitations of our systematic review and meta-analysis will be discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X2094063
Author(s):  
Jane E. Bleasdale ◽  
Margaret C. Peterson ◽  
Sanford Nidich

This study explored the impact of a meditation program on stress, anxiety, and depression in a high-performing high school. Using a randomized controlled design with 52 students, the study took place over 4 months. Students participated in Transcendental Meditation (treatment) or silent reading (active control) twice daily. We observed significant reductions in perceived stress ( p = .040), anxiety ( p = .028), anger ( p = .047), depression ( p = .024), and fatigue ( p = .075), and improvement in self-esteem ( p = .054). The program has important implications for school counselors because of the impact on social/emotional well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Tommasi ◽  
Francesca Toro ◽  
Simone Arnò ◽  
Angelo Carrieri ◽  
Marco Maria Conte ◽  
...  

The exceptional pandemic due to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has obliged all Italians to stay at home. In the literature, there are evidences that traumatic global events, such as natural catastrophes and pandemic, have negative effects on the physical and psychological health of the population. We carried out a survey to analyze the physical and psychological conditions of Italians during the pandemic. Due to the severe limitations in moving during the phase one lockdown, the survey was administered by internet. Results show that Italians followed the provisions established by the Italian government to avoid contamination, but 43% of them declared to have suffered from physical symptoms, in particular migraine, sleep disorders, persistent exhaustion, and difficulty of concentration. They have great fear to be contaminated or that relatives or friends can be contaminated, and they actively take actions to avoid contamination. Participants declared that they had suffered a lot of inconveniences due to restrictions in their movements, and that their life habits were strongly changed. They spent their time at home in different activities, but their psychological well-being was strongly impaired by the lockdown. The level of anxiety tripled, in relation to the prepandemic period, and 30% of males and 41% of females declared to have severe levels of depression. Participants with high levels of optimism and hopefulness show a stronger resilience against anxiety and depression. In addition, there is a negative correlation between anxiety and depression and the five factors of personality. These results show that psychological diseases must not be neglected, and that people in lockdown do need support for their psychological health, also with the help of internet and communication technologies.


Author(s):  
Murray W. Enkin

AbstractMany of the practices carried out during antenatal care improve the well-being of mother or baby and reduce the burden of adverse perinatal outcome. Other practices have either not been evaluated or have been shown to be ineffective. Evidence from randomized clinical trials provides the best evidence about the effectiveness of these practices.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaofu Fan ◽  
Shuhang Xu ◽  
Huifeng Zhang ◽  
Wen Cao ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
...  

Many studies have reported that selenium (Se) has a close relationship with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). The therapeutic effect of Se supplementation in AIT treatment remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of Se supplementation for the treatment of AIT. A structured literature search was undertaken to identify all randomized controlled trials conducted in patients with AIT receiving Se supplementation or placebo. Nine studies enrolling a total of 787 patients were included. The results showed that Se supplementation with duration 6 months significantly dropped the TPOAb titers but did not decrease the TgAb titers. Patients assigned to Se supplementation for 12-month duration showed significantly lower TPOAb titers and TgAb titers. Patients after Se supplementation had a higher chance to improve the mood or well-being compared with controls. Se supplementation is associated with a significant decrease in TPOAb titers at 6 and 12 months; meanwhile, the TgAb titers can be dropped at 12 months. After Se supplementation treatment, patients had a higher chance to improve the mood without significant adverse events.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Bassetti ◽  
Erica Rurali ◽  
Elisa Gambini ◽  
Giulio Pompilio

In the last decades, various non-pharmacological solutions have been tested on top of medical therapy for the treatment of patients affected by refractory angina (RA). Among these therapeutics, neuromodulation, external counter-pulsation and coronary sinus constriction have been recently introduced in the guidelines for the management of RA in United States and Europe. Notably and paradoxically, although a consistent body of evidence has proposed cell-based therapies (CT) as safe and salutary for RA outcome, CT has not been conversely incorporated into current international guidelines yet. As a matter of fact, published randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses (MTA) cumulatively indicated that CT can effectively increase perfusion, physical function and well-being, thus reducing angina symptoms and drug assumption in RA patients. In this review, we (i) provide an updated overview of novel non-pharmacological therapeutics included in current guidelines for the management of patients with RA, (ii) discuss the Level of Evidence stemmed from available clinical trials for each recommended treatment, and (iii) focus on evidence-based CT application for the management of RA.


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