How Yogic Meditation May Reduce Depression

Family dementia caregivers who suffer from mild depression may be able to ease their symptoms by practicing yogic meditation for a brief period each day, according to research in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (published online March 11, 2012).

The study included 39 family caregivers (mean age, 60.3 years) of relatives with dementia; only caregivers with mild to moderate symptoms of depression were invited to participate. Caregivers were assigned to practice a type of yoga known as Kirtan Kriya or listen to relaxation music for 12 minutes a day for eight weeks. Kirtan Kriya involves repetitive finger movements, chanting and deep breathing accompanied by visualization of light.

Compared with the relaxation group, the yogic meditation group showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms and greater improvement in mental health and cognitive functioning at the end of the study. In addition, telomerase activity -- high levels of which may be associated with easing psychological stress -- improved in 43 percent of the meditation group compared, with 3.7 percent in the relaxation group.

Takeaway message: Yogic meditation and other meditative or spiritual practices may help ease the stress of caring for a family member with dementia. But if depression affects your quality of life, talk to your doctor. Effective treatments are available.

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