Impact of Rajayoga Meditation on Anxiety, Serum Cortisol, and Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy – Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Background: Rajayoga meditation is form of meditation that is offered by Rajayoga Education and Research Foundation of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. It is free of ritual and mantras and can be performed anywhere and anytime. The Rajayoga meditation practice can have beneficial effects on modulating anxiety and cortisol levels in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery. Aims: To evaluate the impact of Rajayoga meditation on preoperative and postoperative anxiety, hemodynamic parameters, and serum cortisol levels in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Materials and Methods: The study was randomized controlled trial carried out in a tertiary care center. Sixty female patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II, aged 30–70 years, scheduled to undergo elective MRM under general anesthesia were included. The patients were randomized into two groups namely, Group R, Rajayoga group ( n = 30) and Group C, Control group ( n = 30) who did not receive any intervention. Anxiety was measured using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) before the start of Rajayoga training and on second postoperative day. Serum cortisol, hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure) and respiratory rate were also noted before initiating Rajayoga meditation and on second postoperative day. Results: In this study, it was observed that anxiety levels, serum cortisol, and hemodynamic parameters of the patients before the surgery were comparable between the two groups. However, on second postoperative day, patients who underwent Rajayoga meditation had significantly reduced anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and serum cortisol levels. These results suggest that Rajayoga meditation may be an effective nonpharmacological intervention for stress reduction and physiological stabilization in surgical patients. Conclusion: Rajayoga meditation significantly reduces anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and serum cortisol levels in patients undergoing MRM.