Study Shows Meditation Eases Rheumatoid Arthritis
TUESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2005
According to an article in www.newkerala.com, those suffering from arthritis can benefit a lot from meditation. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine in Baltimore have come up with a study which proves that meditation can relieve some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
One of the classes offered by the center is the Mindfulness-Based Reduction Program (MBSR), a workshop that concentrates on improving physical and mental health through meditation and yoga. Furthermore, the course claims that MBSR can reduce stress, increase relaxation and ability to cope with pain, improve self-esteem, and at the same time restore balance and peace of mind.
To further evaluate the effectiveness of MBSR, researchers studied 63 rheumatoid arthritis patients who are chiefly composed of women. The patients were asked to join the study two months later and also six months later while still continuing medication. They were also asked to answer a questionnaire to observe psychological distress, a check-up with a rheumatologist for swollen joints, and a blood test to determine inflammation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
The outcome of the study was positive, with MBSR effectively reducing pain and psychological distress. Researchers recommend the practice of meditation during medication for better results. Those interested to try out the MBSR can join the center's course held in a cottage at Kernan Hospital. The course costs $525 and includes a retreat, instruction in meditation, gentle yoga, group discussions, and materials to practice on.
MBSR has been studied since the late 1970s by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts. To view the whole article, just click on the link above. For more information and enrollment schedules, just log on to www.compmed.umm.edu.
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