Meditation relieves stress and anxiety but it is not a panacea for all ills, a latest study shows. Researchers stated that meditation has no or little effect on substance abuse or in improving mood, sleep or weight control. They also found no meditation program that outweighed drugs, exercise and other behavioral therapies to help people with mental problems.
For the research, the authors conducted a meta-analysis of 18,753 studies. The findings showed that only "small and consistent signals" that stress, distress, anxiety and depression improved in those who practiced meditation, reports The Los Angeles Times.
The researchers stated that mindfulness meditation improved anxiety problems by 22 percent to 38 percent and depressive symptoms 23 percent to 30. The authors, however, explained the poor outcome of the study might be due to the badly designed research.
They said that of the 18,753 studies on meditation, only 47 were clinical trials designed and conducted with enough precision to be chosen for the review. The researchers stated that the studies on meditation should include specific populations and better outcomes to win enthusiasts in the examination room, reports the LA Times. The study is published in JAMA.
A recent study stated that yoga improves overall health in breast cancer patients. The study also found that women who performed yoga or stretching had lower cortisol levels and reduced stress hormone. The patients were able to carry out daily activities without any help, the study revealed. The researchers explained that exercising reduces the risk of breast cancer as it brings down stress levels.
