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Effects of Meditation on Mental Health and Cardiovascular Balance in Caregivers

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Listed:
  • Lourdes Díaz-Rodríguez

    (Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
    Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain)

  • Keyla Vargas-Román

    (Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
    Spanish Education Ministry Program FPU16/01437, Methodology of Behavioral Sciences Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Juan Carlos Sanchez-Garcia

    (Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
    Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain)

  • Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque

    (Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
    San Cecilio University Hospital, 18016 Granada, Spain)

  • Guillermo Arturo Cañadas-De la Fuente

    (Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain)

  • Emilia I. De La Fuente-Solana

    (Methodology of Behavioral Sciences Department, School of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Background: Caring for a loved one can be rewarding but is also associated with substantial caregiver burden, developing mental outcomes and affecting happiness. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a four-week, 16-h presential meditation program on physiological and psychological parameters and vagal nerve activity in high-burden caregivers, as compared to a control group. Methods: A non-randomized repeated-measures controlled clinical trial was conducted. Results: According to the ANCOVA results, the global happiness score (F = 297.42, p < 0.001) and the scores for all subscales were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 5 weeks. Anxiety levels were also significantly reduced in the experimental group (F = 24.92, p < 0.001), systolic (F = 16.23, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood (F = 34.39, p < 0.001) pressures, and the resting heart rate (F = 17.90, p < 0.05). HRV results revealed significant between-group differences in the HRV Index (F = 8.40, p < 0.05), SDNN (F = 13.59, p < 0.05), and RMSSD (F = 10.72, p < 0.05) in the time domain, and HF (F = 4.82 p < 0.05)) in the frequency domain, which were all improved in the experimental group after the meditation program. Conclusions: Meditation can be a useful therapy to enhance the mental health and autonomic nervous system balance of informal caregivers, improving symptoms of physical and mental overload.

Suggested Citation

  • Lourdes Díaz-Rodríguez & Keyla Vargas-Román & Juan Carlos Sanchez-Garcia & Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque & Guillermo Arturo Cañadas-De la Fuente & Emilia I. De La Fuente-Solana, 2021. "Effects of Meditation on Mental Health and Cardiovascular Balance in Caregivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:617-:d:479327
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pablo Ruisoto & Marina Ramírez & Belén Paladines-Costa & Silvia Vaca & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2020. "Predicting Caregiver Burden in Informal Caregivers for the Elderly in Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-10, October.
    2. Raquel Marfil-Gómez & Marta Morales-Puerto & Álvaro León-Campos & José Miguel Morales-Asencio & Juan Carlos Morilla-Herrera & Eva Timonet-Andreu & Magdalena Cuevas-Fernández Gallego & Celia Martí-Garc, 2020. "Quality of Life, Physical and Mental Health of Family Caregivers of Dependent People with Complex Chronic Disease: Protocol of a Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-8, October.
    3. Kang-Ming Chang & Miao-Tien Wu Chueh & Yi-Jung Lai, 2020. "Meditation Practice Improves Short-Term Changes in Heart Rate Variability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-9, March.
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