Effect of Mindfulness Meditation & Pranayama on Patients With Chronic Depression

Depression is a major cause of disability across the world, and influences not only emotional but also cognitive health. Although medication and psychotherapy are the main approaches in treating depression, the effect of alternative methods such as mindfulness meditation and pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) have shown to be beneficial to reduce depressive symptoms. Mindfulness meditation, Bhastrika, and Anulom Vilom pranayam in chronic depression–A study. We conducted a structured intervention with 24 patients (12 men, 12 women), aged 18–54 years, for three months. Participants were asked to perform Bhastrika pranayama (10 cycles), Anulom Vilom pranayama (10 cycles) and mindfulness meditation (10 min) in the morning and evening. At baseline, six-week, and twelve-week HAM-D and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) slope scores were used to assess depression severity. Results showed a significant decrease in depression scores, evidenced by HAM-D scores decreasing from 22.5 (severe depression) to 10.3 (mild depression) and BDI scores from 29.2 (moderate depression) to 12.8 (minimal depression). Users said they experienced improved mood or reduced anxiety and increased motivation. Including meditation and pranayama as part of daily routine may be used as adjunctive therapy for chronic depression, found this study. More research is needed to investigate the long-term benefits and the underlying neurological mechanisms.