Exploring the Zen meditation experiences of patients with generalized anxiety disorder: a focus-group approach

Most of the many studies on the efficacy of meditation on anxiety disorders over the past half century have been quantitatively studied and lacked consensus. Studies into the experiences of meditation practitioners are lacking. Taiwan has a high prevalence of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), and Zen meditation is popular.

This study provides a deeper understanding of Zen meditation practice experience among patients with GAD in Taiwan.

The study site was a psychiatric outpatient department in a general hospital in Taiwan. Two groups of adult patients with GAD (n = 9) and without any kind of meditation experience (n = 12) enrolled in and attended a Zen meditation program. Heidegger's phenomenology was the core framework used to guide data interpretation. Researchers used six-session focus groups, diaries, and field notes to collect data. To boost trustworthiness, researchers applied investigator triangulation, data triangulation, prolonged engagement, persistent observation, and group debriefing (feedback).

A major theme, "The process of Zen meditation," emerged. It was underpinned by the three categories: "struggling to reach a state of calm," "signs of improvement," and "an individual process." Signs of improvement included "finding a personal way to enter a state of calm," "changing the sense of time," and "adjusting Zen meditation practice goals."

The there-being state (dasein) of participants shaped their understanding of Zen meditation practice. Findings revealed the diverse "phenomena-featuring process" aspect of Zen meditation practice. Findings provide a better understanding of essential elements of Zen meditation complementing quantitative studies and may be used by professionals who intend to apply Zen meditation as an alternative therapy for patients with GAD.