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Efficacy of an Integrated Heartfulness Meditation and Yoga Protocol in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Controlled
Mansee K Thakur1, Pooja S Singh1, Veronique Nicolai2
1Department of Medical Biotechnology, Central Research Laboratory, MGM School of Biomedical Sciences, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India.
Introduction:
Hypertension is increasingly recognized as a biopsychosocial condition influenced by psychological distress and systemic inflammation. The potential of integrative mind-body approaches such as Heartfulness meditation and yoga to offer non-pharmacological benefits through neuroendocrine and immunomodulatory pathways is a source of hope and optimism in the field.
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of a 12-week Integrated Approach of Heartfulness-based Yogic Practices and Meditation (IAHFNM & YP) on psychological distress, inflammatory cytokines and stress biomarkers in individuals with prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension.
Methods:
In this randomized controlled trial participants were allocated to either the intervention group (IAHFNM and YP) or the standard care group. Psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Blood samples were analyzed for cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-18) and neuroendocrine stress markers (copeptin and corticotropin).
Results:
The intervention group showed significant reductions in psychological distress, including anxiety, depression and somatization, as reflected by a marked decline in the Global Severity Index (P < .001). This reassures us about the study's effectiveness. Inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α significantly decreased (P < .05), while anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels increased (P < .001). Stress-related biomarkers copeptin and corticotropin also showed significant reductions (P < .001), suggesting downregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Although correlations between psychological scores and biomarkers were modest (R2 < 0.12), corticotropin showed the strongest association with BSI-18 scores (r = 0.389).
Conclusion:
The findings demonstrate the efficacy of Heartfulness in improving psychological well-being and modulating inflammatory and neuroendocrine markers in prehypertension and hypertension. These results support integrating mind-body practices into hypertension management. However, small sample size, limited duration, and reliance on self-reported adherence may affect generalizability. Future studies with larger cohorts, objective adherence measures, and extended follow-up are recommended to establish sustainability and underlying mechanisms.
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