Using Yoga Nidra Recordings for Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy

The objective of this study was to compare the effects produced by yoga nidra and relaxation music for pain management in patients undergoing colonoscopy. A quasiexperimental design was used.

In total, 144 patients who were scheduled to undergo colonoscopy were assigned to three different treatment groups. Group 1 was a no treatment control group, group 2 was delivered relaxing music, and group 3 was delivered a yoga nidra recording. The primary outcome was pain score. Secondary treatment efficacy measures were an overall patient satisfaction score, a willingness to repeat the procedure score, and a perceived colonoscope insertion difficulty score. Secondary objective treatment effect measures were systolic and diastolic blood pressure and total procedure duration.

The patients' perceptions of pain and the endoscopist's perceived colonoscope insertion difficulty were significantly reduced by both the music and the yoga nidra recording (p < .05). Overall patient satisfaction was significantly improved by both the music and the yoga nidra recording (p < .05). Patients' willingness to repeat the procedure and the total procedure duration were significantly improved and reduced, respectively, by the yoga nidra recording (p < .05), but there were no significant differences compared to the music group. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of blood pressure.

Both the yoga nidra recording and the relaxation music helped reduce the pain participants undergoing colonoscopy experienced. The yoga nidra recording was the most successful intervention among the three groups.