Non-randomised trial, 2019
Does Raja Yoga meditation reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS?
In this small study, 8 women who practiced Raja Yoga meditation once daily for 8 weeks showed lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores during the premenstrual period. But without a control group, we cannot be sure the improvement came from meditation.
What they did
Before-after study with 8 women with PMS. Researchers measured depression, anxiety, and stress during the premenstrual period (7 days before menstruation). Participants then practiced Raja Yoga meditation once daily, 6 days a week, for 8 weeks under supervision. They were tested again during the premenstrual period after 8 weeks.
What they found
Depression, anxiety, and stress scores decreased significantly after 8 weeks of meditation (P<0.05).
What it means for you
Meditation may help these symptoms during PMS. However, only 8 women were studied and there was no control group for comparison, so we cannot be certain the improvement came from meditation rather than from other factors like time passing, expectation, or life changes. A larger study with a control group would be needed.
8
women studied
8 weeks
duration of meditation practice
6 days a week
frequency of practice
About the study
- Original title
- Effectiveness of Raja Yoga Meditation on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Females with Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Eda Syamala, Priya Roy, Kumar Sai Sailesh et al.
- Journal
- International Journal of Physiology
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 8
- What was tested
- Raja Yoga meditation, once daily for 6 days a week for 8 weeks
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5958/2320-608x.2019.00020.9
Topics
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