Medical Research
Acute pain relief after mantra meditation in children with Neuroblastoma undergoing anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody therapy.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
Neuroscientists at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City have used Naam meditation along with music from the Healing Beyond Medicine Music series created by Dr. Joseph Michael Levry to reduce pain in children being treated for a rare form of cancer, subsequently reducing the need for larger doses of medication during treatment.
Naam meditation was offered to families several days a week by experienced instructors. In many instances, parents, translators, and family members also participated. A single specific Mantram (“RaMaDaSa, Guru Ram Das and I Am” soundtracks provided by Dr Joseph Michael Levry) was played on an MP3 player in the background while an experienced meditation teacher taught and led the Mantram. These Mantram are used traditionally to build self-esteem, peace, and resilience. Mudras (hand gestures) and gentle breathing patterns (left nostril breathing, long exhalation, alternate nostril breathing) were interspersed with Mantram to help relieve tension and enhance relaxation and focus. On an average, the meditation instructor stayed with the patient for approximately 30 minutes.
Patients undergoing therapy for neuroblastoma experience severe generalized pain that is poorly controlled with conventional analgesics, including opioids. Nonpharmacologic interventions have the potential to reduce pain, anxiety, and analgesic requirements associated with this treatment that is now considered standard of care for high-risk neuroblastoma. Naam meditation therapy administered on an outpatient basis to children receiving immunotherapy was feasible and well tolerated by children of both sexes, aged 3 to 14 years with diverse language and ethnic backgrounds. It was observed that a single session of Naam meditation was associated with a 14% decrease in the amount of pain medication administered to manage pain per day of treatment. These pilot findings were so substantial that the study was published in the Journal of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology and an additional grant was issued for continued study..
Medical Research
Chi gong with Naam vibration: new interventions for caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Institute on Aging, Autonomous University of Barcelona
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Imitated and repeated exercises become an appropriate technique for people with dementia in initial stages and for their caregivers. Practicing Chi-Gong with Naam vibration is profitable in a physical, cognitive, emotional and relational perspective and contributes to prevention, wellbeing and maintenance of physical and mental health.
The aim of this study was to evaluate Chi-Gong with Naam vibration effects on persons with dementia and their caregivers. Two groups of people with mild to moderate dementia (N=19) from two different day hospitals practiced Chi-Gong during 6 months (24 sessions with exercises adapted to people with dementia). Their caregivers (N=19) practiced Chi-Gong as well during 3 months (12 sessions). All participants (N=38) were evaluated at the beginning
and at the end of the treatment of Chi Kung. In persons with dementia were measured cognitive state, depressive symptoms, change of behavior and health conditions. In caregivers were measured depressive symptoms and health conditions.Regarding the people with dementia, we found significative statistical differences on the global behaviour disorders evaluated with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) (Kaufer & Cummings, 1999) to the six months (p=0.048). Also we found differences on their mood (p= p=0.046). This indicates that people with dementia improved their behaviour disorders after the Chi Kung intervention, decreasing the stress of the caregivers (p=0.038). Regarding the caregivers, we found significative statistical differences on their physical status, specifically on the balance, gait and strength, evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (Guralnik, 1994) to the six months (p= 0,041). Conclusions: the intervention of Chi Gong with Naan vibration has positive effects on the patients with dementia and their caregivers.
Medical Research
Chi gong with Naam vibration: new interventions for caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Institute on Aging, Autonomous University of Barcelona