Main Article Content
Guru Deo
Srinivasan, Thaiyar M
S. K. Rajesh
Keywords
Meditation, EPI, Self-control, Emotion-regulation, Mindfulness, Health
Abstract
The aim of the current study is to explore the status of energy pattern, stress and psychological well-being in age-matched meditators (M) and non-meditators (NM) as assessed by Electrophotonic Imaging and psychological measures.
There were 93 subjects consisting of 45 meditators (practicing meditation from last 6 months and longer (mean months of practice 61.18 50.08, daily 1.63 2.14hours) and 48 non-meditators. There were total 88 participants where 43 meditators (male and female, mean age 32.64 7.09years) and 45 non-meditators (mean age 30.31 6.45years) in the study. Assessment done using Electrophotonic Imaging (EPI), Self-control Scale (SCS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).
Meditators revealed lower stress, disorderliness at energy level in comparison to non-meditators on EPI parameters. Self-control score, scores of mindfulness and general health was significant and highly significant respectively in meditators as compared to non-meditators. Emotional regulation score was positive where reappraisal and suppression scores were found contributory in current research but not significant.
Psychophysiological status of meditators showed less stress, less suppression and positive emotion regulation in comparison to non-meditators. In conclusion, meditators exhibited better self-control, better energy availability, mindfulness and good health.
References
1. Manocha R, Black D, Wilson L. Quality of life and functional health status of long-term meditators. Evidence-based Complement Altern Med. 2012;2012(ID350674):1–9.
2. Marciniak R, Sheardova K, Cermáková P, Hudeček D, Sumec R, Hort J. Effect of meditation on cognitive functions in context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Front Behav Neurosci. 2014 Jan;8(17):1–23.
3. Lee TMC, Leung MK, Hou WK, Tang JCY, Yin J, So KF, et al. Distinct neural activity associated with focused-attention meditation and loving-kindness meditation. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e40054.
4. Shinde V, Dongare N. An Effect of Anapana Meditation on the Personality of College Students. Golden Res Thoughts. 2012;1(8):1–4.
5. Xue S, Tang Y, Tang R, Posner MI. Brain and Cognition Short-term meditation induces changes in brain resting EEG theta networks. BRAIN Cogn. 2014;87:1–6.
6. Tang Y, Yinghu M, Wang J, Fan Y, Feng S, Lu Q, et al. Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation. In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. United States of America; 2007. p. 17152–6.
7. Cahn BR, Polich J. Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psychol Bull. 2006;132(2):180–211.
8. Tang YY, Yinghua M, Fan Y, Feng H, Wang J, Feng S, et al. Central and autonomic nervous system interaction is altered by short-term meditation. In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2009. p. 8865–70.
9. Rubia K. The neurobiology of Meditation and its clinical effectiveness in psychiatric disorders. Biol Psychol. 2009;82(1):1–11.
10. Luders E. Exploring age-related brain degeneration in meditation practitioners. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014;1307(1):82–8.
11. Canter PH. The therapeutic effects of meditation: The conditions treated are stress related, and the evidence is weak. BMJ Br Med J. 2003;326(7398):1049–1050.
12. Frias CM De, Whyne E. Stress on health-related quality of life in older adults : the protective nature of mindfulness. Aging Ment Health. 2015;19(3):201–6.
13. Krisanaprakornkit T, Krisanaprakornkit W, Piyavhatkul N, Laopaiboon M. Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;25(1):CD004998.
14. Raffone A, Srinivasan N. The exploration of meditation in the neuroscience of attention and consciousness. Cogn Process. 2010;11(1):1–7.
15. Korotkov KG. Measuring Energy Fields: Current Research. USA: Backbone Publishing Co. Fair Lawn; 2004. 193–208 p.
16. Korotkov KG, Williams B, Wisneski LA. Assessing biophysical energy transfer mechanisms in living systems: the basis of life processes. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10(1):49–57.
17. Cohly HHP, Kostyuk N, Cole P, Meghanathan N, Isokpehi RD. Gas discharge visualization: An imaging and modeling tool for medical biometrics. Int J Biomed Imaging. 2011;2011(1):1–7.
18. Korotkov K., DeVito D, Arem K, K M, Williams B, Wisneski L. Energy Fields Electrophotonic Analysis In Human And Nature. Sain-Petersburg: Amazon.com Publishing; 2011. 30–55 p.
19. Korotkov KG. Human Energy Field: Study with GDV Bioelectrography. Fair Lawn, NJ: Backbone Publishing Co; 2002. 24–43 p.
20. Korotkov K. The Principles of GDV Analysis. Marco Piet. Embourg, Belgium: Amazon.com Publishing; 2009.
21. Konstantin K, Oleg C, Elena G, Oleg S, Anna K, Elena L, et al. Non-local consciousness influence to physical sensors: experimental data. Philosophy Study. Philos Study. 2011;1(4):295–304.
22. Korotkov KG. Energy Fields Electrophotonic Analysis in Humans and Nature [Internet]. Saint-Petersburg: Amazon.com Publishing; 2011. Available from: www.amazon.com
23. Korotkov KG, Matravers P, Orlov D V, Williams BO. Application of electrophoton capture (EPC) analysis based on gas discharge visualization (GDV) technique in medicine: a systematic review. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jan;16(1):13–25.
24. Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J. R., & Snyder SS. Changing the world and changing the self: A two-process model of perceived control. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1982;42(1):5–37.
25. Baumeister, R. F., Stillwell, A. M., & Heatherton TF. Guilt: An interpersonal approach. Psychol Bull. 1994;115(2):243–67.
26. Tangney JP, Baumeister RF, Boone AL. High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. J Pers. 2004;72(2):271–324.
27. Gross JJ. The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Rev Gen Psychol. 1998;2(3):271–99.
28. Gross JJ, John OP. Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;85(2):348–62.
29. Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness meditation: health benefits of an ancient Buddhist prac-tice; in Goleman D Mind/ Body Medicine. Goleman D GJ, editor. New York: Consumer Reports Books; 1993. 259–275 p.
30. Bishop SR, Lau M, Shapiro S, Carlson L, Anderson ND, Carmody J, et al. Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2004;11(3):230–41.
31. Trousselard M, Steiler D, Raphel C, Cian C, Duymedjian R, Claverie D, et al. Validation of a French version of the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory - short version: relationships between mindfulness and stress in an adult population. Biopsychosoc Med. 2010;4(1):8.
32. Walach H, Buchheld N, Buttenmüller V, Kleinknecht N, Schmidt S. Measuring mindfulness-the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). Pers Ind Dif. 2006;40:1543–55.
33. Kohls N, Sauer S WH. Facets of mindfulness - results of an online study investigating the Freiburg mindfulness inventory. Pers Ind Dif. 2009;46:224–23.
34. David P. Goldberg. The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire: a technique for the identification and assessment of non-psychotic psychiatric illness. London: Oxford University Press; 1972. 156 p.
35. Shamasunder C, Sriram TG, Murali Raj SG, Shanmugham V. Validity of a Short 5-Item Version of the General Health Questionnaire (G.H.Q). 1986;28(3):217–9.
36. Arias JC. The Effects of Meditation on Executives’ Performance in Business Organizations. Bus Intell J. 2008;1(1):35–66.
37. Lutz A, Slagter HA, Dunne JD, Davidson RJ. Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends Cogn Sci. 2008;12(4):163–9.
38. Marciniak R, Sheardova K, Cermáková P, Hudeček D, Sumec R, Hort J. Effect of meditation on cognitive functions in context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Front Behav Neurosci. 2014;8(17):1–23.
39. Walsh R, Shapiro SL. The meeting of meditative disciplines and Western psychology: a mutually enriching dialogue. Am Psychol. 2006;61(3):227–39.
40. Guru Deo, Itagi RK, Srinivasan TM, Kushwah KK. Effect of Anapanasati Meditation Technique through Electrophotonic Imaging (EPI) Parameters: A Pilot Study. Int J Yoga. 2015;8(2):117–21.
41. Kushwah KK, Srinivasan TM, Nagendra HR, Ilavarasu J V. Effect of yoga based technique on stress and health indices using electro photonic imaging technique in managers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015;In Press.
42. Deo G, Kumar IR, Srinivasan TM, Kushwah KK. Changes in electrophotonic imaging parameters associated with long term meditators and naive meditators in older adults practicing meditation. Eur J Integr Med [Internet]. 2015 Dec;7(6):663–8. Available from: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1876382015300263
43. Sukhsohale ND, Phatak MS. Effect of Short-Term and Long-Term Brahmkumaris Raja Yoga Meditation on Physiological Varaibles. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2012;56(1):388–92.
44. Alexandrova R, Fedoseev G, Korotkov KG, Philippova N, Zayzev S, Magidov M. Analysis of the Bioelectrograms of Bronchial Asthma Patients. In: Korotkov KG, editor. Human Energy Field: Study with GDV bioelectrography. Fair Lawn, NJ: : Backbone Publishing Co; 2002. 92–102 p.
45. Michel B. Chaos, Complexity, and Entropy:A physics talk for non-physicists. Cambridge: New England Complex Systems Institute; 2000. 10–16 p.
46. Dincer I, Cengel Y a. Energy, entropy and exergy concepts and their roles in thermal engineering. Vol. 3, Entropy. 2001. 116–149 p.
47. Friese M, Messner C, Schaffner Y. Mindfulness meditation counteracts self-control depletion. Conscious Cogn. 2012 Jun;21(2):1016–22.
48. Gailliot MT, Schmeichel BJ, Baumeister RF. Self-regulatory processes defend against the threat of death: Effects of self-control depletion and trait self-control on thoughts and fears of dying. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2006;91(1):49–62.
49. Black DS, Semple RJ, Pokhrel P, Grenard JL. Component Processes of Executive Function—Mindfulness, Self-control, and Working Memory—and Their Relationships with Mental and Behavioral Health. Mindfulness (N Y). 2011 Sep;2(3):179–85.
50. Galla BM, Duckworth AL. More Than Resisting Temptation : Beneficial Habits Mediate the Relationship Between Self Control and Positive Life Outcomes . J Pers Soc Psychol. 2015;109(3):508–25.
51. Jian-Bin L, Delvecchio E, Adriana L, Yan-Gang N, Di Riso D. Parental attachment, self-control, and depressive symptoms in Chinese and Italian adolescents: Test of a mediation model. J Adolesc. 2015 Aug;43:159–70.
52. Lohse A, Kjaer TW, Sabers A, Wolf P. Epileptic aura and perception of self-control. Epilepsy Behav. 2015 Apr;45:191–4.
53. Normandeau S, Guay F. Preschool behavior and first-grade school achievement: The mediational role of cognitive self-control. J Educ Psychol. 1998;90(1):111–21.
54. Friese M, Messner C, Schaffner Y. Mindfulness meditation counteracts self control depletion. Conscious Cogn. 2012;21(2):1016–22.
55. Tang Y-Y, Ma Y, Fan Y, Feng H, Wang J, Feng S, et al. Central and autonomic nervous system interaction is altered by short-term meditation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(22):8865–70.
56. Singh NN, Lancioni GE, Winton ASW, Adkins AD, Wahler RG, Sabaawi M, et al. Individuals with mental illness can control their aggressive behavior through mindfulness training. Vol. 31, Behavior modification. 2007. p. 313–28.
57. Singh NN, Wahler RG, Adkins AD, Myers RE, Winton ASW, Strand PS, et al. Soles of the feet: A mindfulness-based self-control intervention for aggression by an individual with mild mental retardation and mental illness. Res Dev Disabil. 2003;24(3):158–69.
58. Tang Y, Yinghua M, Wang J, Fan Y, Feng S, Lu Q, et al. Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation. In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2007. p. 17152–6.
59. Lalot F, Delplanque S, Sander D. Mindful regulation of positive emotions: A comparison with reappraisal and expressive suppression. Front Psychol. 2014;5:243.
60. Garland EL, Gaylord SA, Palsson O, Faurot K, Douglas, MJ. Therapeutic mechanisms of a Mindfulness-based treatment for IBS: effects on visceral sensitivity, catastrophizing, and affective processing of pain sensations. J Behav Med. 2012;29(6):997–1003.
61. Grecucci A, De Pisapia N, Kusalagnana Thero D, Paladino MP, Venuti P, Job R. Baseline and Strategic Effects behind Mindful Emotion Regulation: Behavioral and Physiological Investigation. PLoS One. 2015;10(1):e0116541.
62. Chiesa A, Serretti A, Christian J. Mindfulness : Top – down or bottom – up emotion regulation strategy ? Clin Psychol Rev. 2013;33(1):82–96.
63. Baer RA. Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2003;10(2):125–43.
64. Walach H, Buchheld N, Buttenmüller V, Kleinknecht N, Schmidt S. Measuring mindfulness-the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). Pers Individ Dif. 2006;40(8):1543–55.
65. Davidson RJ, Kabat-Zinn J, Schumacher J, Rosenkranz M, Muller D, Santorelli SF, et al. Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Vol. 65, Psychosomatic medicine. 2003.
66. Hayes S. Acceptance and commitment therapy, relational frame theory, and the third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies. Behav Ther. 2004;35(4):639–65.
67. Germer C. What is mindfulness? Insight J [Internet]. 2004;(1):24–9. Available from: http://www.mindfulselfcompassion.org
68. Weinstein N, Brown KW, Ryan RM. A multi-method examination of the effects of mindfulness on stress attribution, coping, and emotional well-being. J Res Pers. 2009;43(3):374–85.
69. Grossman P, Niemann L, Schmidt S, Walach H. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2004 Jul;57(1):35–43.
70. Schmitz N, Kruse J, Heckrath C, Alberti L, Tress W. Diagnosing mental disorders in primary care: The general health questionnaire (GHQ) and the symptom check list (SCL-90-R) as screening instruments. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1999;34(7):360–6.
