Yoga Medical News Daily

Is empathy enhanced by yoga and meditation?

This is the question Eric Bergemann asks and answers in his doctoral dissertation completed at Pacifica Graduate Institute (2009). "Empathic attunement is one of the key components for effecting change in clients through clinical work in the psychotherapeutic setting. Recent research across various disciplines including neuroscience, developmental psychology, and neuropsychoanalysis has suggested the importance of redefining clinical efficacy in terms of empathic attunement that is bodily-based, that is, a connection between the unconscious bodily-based systems of the psychotherapist and client that includes the brain, mind, and body.

"In light of this work, this investigation hypothesized that bodily-based practices which utilize and emphasize bodily awareness, such as yoga and meditation, would increase the level of empathic attunement in psychotherapists. . . Results showed that psychotherapists who engaged in yoga, meditation, or other bodily-based practices currently, but not in the past, had higher empathy scores than those psychotherapists who did not engage in such practices. Findings suggest that engaging in a bodily-based practice may contribute to the development of empathy, and that maintaining a current practice may play a role in retaining higher levels of empathy. Results showed no significant correlation between length of practice time and empathy scores."  Abstract as well as link to full-text PDF copy of the dissertation at PQDT Open [takes awhile to load].

Yoga and diabetes self-management: The mind-body connection

This doctoral dissertation by Mary Rebecca Taylor, University of Washington (2009), explored "the relation of diabetes self-management and yoga practice from the perspective of adults living with type 2 diabetes. The study aims were to: (a) describe the experience and perceived therapeutic effect of practicing yoga on diabetes self- management, (b) identify perceived facilitators and barriers to regular yoga practice in the context of diabetes self-management, and (c) explore yoga instructors' understanding of diabetes and beliefs about the therapeutic benefits of practicing yoga. . . .  Results. Twenty-six adult yoga students with type 2 diabetes and ten yoga instructors were recruited and enrolled. Students perceived improvement in the following outcomes: physical fitness, physical and mental relaxation, stress tolerance, self-awareness, coping skills, social support, and sense of well-being. Factors that effected yoga practice were cost, convenience, time, responsibilities, health status, and instructor's attitude. Instructors integrated concepts from biomedicine and yoga philosophy to understand diabetes. Instructors believed that yoga promoted physical and mental balance, an attitude of nonjudgmental self-awareness, increased self-efficacy and better health-related choices." Abstract and full-text PDF for download: PQDT Open.

Alternative mind-body therapies used by adults with medical conditions

This article from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research (2009 Jun;66(6):511-9) states that "Mind-body therapies (MBT) are used by 16.6% of adults in the United States. Little is known about the patterns of and reasons for use of MBT by adults with common medical conditions. METHODS: We analyzed data on MBT use from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey Alternative Medicine Supplement (n=31,044). MBT included relaxation techniques (deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation), yoga, tai chi, and qigong. To identify medical conditions associated with use of MBT overall and of individual MBT, we used multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, insurance status, and health habits. Among users of MBT (n=5170), we assessed which medical conditions were most frequently treated with MBT, additional rationale for using MBT, and perceived helpfulness. RESULTS: We found a positive association between MBT use and several medical conditions including various pain syndromes and anxiety/depression. Among adults using MBT to treat specific medical conditions, MBT was most commonly used for anxiety/depression and musculoskeletal pain syndromes. More than 50% of respondents used MBT in conjunction with conventional medical care, and 20% used MBT for conditions they thought conventional medicine would not help. Overall, we found high rates (68-90%) of perceived helpfulness of MBT for specific medical conditions." Abstract: PubMed.  Photo credit: LocalFitness.com.au