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Modulation of the autonomic nervous system through mind and body practices as a treatment for atrial fibrillation
M Usmaan Bashir1, Anjali Bhagra2, Suraj Kapa3
1Department of Medicine Mayo Clinic College of Medicine 200 First Street SW Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
Insights
Mind-body practices like meditation and yoga may help manage atrial fibrillation (AF) by influencing the autonomic nervous system. These interventions show potential for anti-arrhythmic benefits, complementing traditional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia linked to stroke.
- Current AF management involves anticoagulation and catheter ablation.
- Lifestyle modifications (sleep apnea, exercise, weight loss) are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of mind-body practices in managing atrial fibrillation.
- To explore the influence of meditation, yoga, and acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system in AF.
- To assess the potential of these practices as anti-arrhythmic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of evidence from molecular to clinical levels.
- Analysis of studies on autonomic nervous system modulation by mind-body interventions.
- Evaluation of clinical trial data for anti-arrhythmic effects.
Main Results:
- Mind-body practices may modulate the autonomic nervous system, impacting AF.
- Evidence suggests these interventions can influence AF progression and regression.
- Potential mechanisms link stress reduction via lifestyle changes to AF management.
Conclusions:
- Mind-body practices represent a promising adjunctive therapy for atrial fibrillation.
- Targeting the autonomic nervous system through these methods offers anti-arrhythmic benefits.
- Further research is warranted to fully integrate these practices into AF care.
Abstract:
Atrial fibrillation is the most common symptomatic arrhythmia that is associated with stroke. Contemporary management of the disease is focused on anticoagulation to prevent stroke, coupled with catheter ablation to limit symptoms and prevent deleterious cardiac remodeling. Emerging data highlights the importance of lifestyle modification by managing sleep apnea, increasing physical activity, and weight loss. There is significant data that supports a link between the autonomic nervous system, arrhythmia development, and atrial fibrillation therapy. It is likely that lifestyle modification through these techniques that are aimed to reduce stress may also mediate atrial fibrillation development through this mechanism. This review examines how mind and body practices such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture may influence the autonomic nervous system and mitigate atrial fibrillation progression and regression. Available evidence from molecular and anatomical levels through to clinical observations and translational clinical trials were scrutinized and a case established for these interventions as potential powerful mediators of anti-arrhythmic benefit.
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