EFFECT OF SIX-MONTHS PRACTICE OF MEDITATION ON STRESS LEVEL IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS

Background and objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has been recognized that stress, anxiety and depression are important in aetiology and progression of CAD. This study is to evaluate the role of Meditation in improving biochemical parameters like serum cortisol and ACTH in known CAD patients. Method: Sixty CAD patients are divided into two groups of which one group did Meditation and other did not. Serum cortisol and ACTH were measured before and at end of 6 months of study in both the groups. Result: At the end of study significant decrease was seen in patients who practiced Meditation as compared to other group. Conclusion: Meditation may modulate the physiological response to stress via neurohumoral activation, which may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CAD.