MODULATION OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ASSESSED THROUGH HEART RATE VARIABILITY BY INTEGRATED AMRITA MEDITATION TECHNIQUE IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS – A PILOT STUDY

SARIKA KS; VANDANA BALAKRISHNAN; HARISH KUMAR; ANAND KUMAR; KR SUNDARAM

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2020.v13i10.38745

Authors

SARIKA KS Department of Physiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Lane, Cochin, Kerala, India.
VANDANA BALAKRISHNAN Department of Physiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Lane, Cochin, Kerala, India.
HARISH KUMAR Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Lane, Cochin, Kerala, India.
ANAND KUMAR Department of Neurology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Lane, Cochin, Kerala, India.
KR SUNDARAM Department of Biostatistics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Lane, Cochin, Kerala, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2020.v13i10.38745

Keywords:

Autonomic function, Diabetes, Heart rate variability, Integrated Amrita Meditation, Meditation

Abstract

Objective: This study aims in understanding the effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM), a type of mindfulness meditation, on the autonomic balance of type 2 diabetic patients through assessment of heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods: After the initial screening of 30 type 2 diabetic subjects, 10 type 2 diabetic subjects between the age group of 30 and 65 years were randomized into two groups, diabetic test (n=5) and diabetic control group (n=5). Diabetic test group practiced IAM technique under the guidance of a trained practitioner. Both the groups continued the same dietary pattern and medications during the 6-month study period. HRV was taken for all subjects at baseline and after 6 months. In our study, we have focused on the power spectral analysis of HRV which include normalized units of high frequency (nHF), low frequency (nLF), and low frequency-high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio).

Results: Mean percentage change in nHF, nLF, and LFHF ratio showed significant changes in between-group comparison (p<0.05). Normalized units of HF increased (p=0.049) while LF (p=0.036) and LFHF ratio (p=0.024) decreased significantly within test group after 6 months of IAM practice suggesting the potential of IAM in improving the parasympathetic tone, thereby tuning the mind and body to calm down during stress.

Conclusion: Our study has shown demonstrable improvement in autonomic function which reflects reduced stress after the practice of IAM in diabetic patients.

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