A woman takes a deep breath during her meditation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Study on meditation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Roxane Raffin Chan et al.

March 2015

Meditation, Pranayama, and more

Respiratory system / Asthma

Researchers in Michigan, USA, hypothesized that mindfulness training can alleviate the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To prove this, they conducted a randomized pilot study in which the sample was divided into a meditation group (n = 19) and a waiting list group (n = 22). The former conducted an eight-week meditation program and achieved a significant increase in respiration rate.

The results also showed that mindfulness decreased significantly over time in the meditation group and reached lower levels than in the waiting list group. Those subjects who completed six or more meditation sessions showed a strong improvement in emotional functioning, although mindfulness decreased and respiration rate did not change significantly.

The study reveals a complex relationship between respiratory parameters, emotions and mindfulness and shows that meditation can be used as a supportive, feasible treatment for COPD.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: COPD, lung diseases
Institution: University of Michigan, Michigan, USA
Title: Study on meditation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Brief description: Study shows mindfulness practice can alleviate COPD symptoms & meditation improves emotional functioning despite declining mindfulness
Original title: A pilot study: mindfulness meditation intervention in COPD
Link to the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4354397/