The Psychological Effects of Sahaja Yoga Meditation: a Systematic Review Tom Hendriks, MSc. Lecturer in psychology at Anton de Kom University of Suriname (ADEKUS) External PhD candidate, University of Amsterdam (UvA) Introduction Results Results Quality assessment RCT’s Quality assessment NRCT’s Objectives: To determine the efficacy of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on a range of psychological effects. Methods: Databases were searched up to June 2014. Additionally an internet search was carried out. A total of 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk Assessment for Bias (RCTs), and the New Castle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NRCTs). Results: Significant findings were shown in relation to the following psychological effects: anxiety, depression, stress, negative affect and neuroticism, happiness, experience of bliss, quality of life, positive affect, mood, change in personal values, emotional stability and less mental activity. Conclusion: The available research suggests that SYM has significant effects on a range of psychological variables. Keywords: meditation, yoga, thoughtless awareness, Kundalini, mental silence, mind-emptiness. Authors Study Design Participants Conditions # Program Outcome measures & instruments Results Quality Manocha et al., 2002 RCT Adults with asthma 1. SYM 2. Relaxation/ CBT exercises /group discussion 21 26 4 month program, 2 hour session once a week plus recommended twice a day 10- 20 minutes meditation or relaxation and cbt exercises Quality of Life: Asthma Quality of Life Scale (AQLQ)  Mood: Profile of Mood States (POMS) • Quality of Life + AQLQ (P=.007). Effect size: SYM vs. Relaxation/CBT on Cohen's d=0.48 (95%CI -0.04 to 0.10), P=0.07 • Mood + POMS (P=.005) Low Risk of Bias * Manocha et al., 2011 Adults, Full- Time Workers 1. SYM 2. Relaxation 3. Waitlist 59 56 63 Both: 8 week program: 2 times a week a 60 minute session, twice daily 10-20 minutes meditation or relaxation at home Stress Depressive feelings Anxiety Mood Stress – PSQ (P=.026). Effect size: SYM vs. No treatment on PSQ: Cohen's d=0.30 (95%CI -0.19 to 0.70), p=0.17. Relaxation vs. No treatment on PSQ: Cohen's d= -0.09 (95%CI -0.53 to -0.40), P=0.7 • Depressive feelings – DD (P=.019). Effect size: SYM vs. No treatment on DD: Cohen's d= 0.90 (95%CI 0.46 to 1.33), p= 0.000. Relaxation vs. No treatment on DD: Cohen's d= 0.60 (95%CI 0.13 to 1.01), P= 0.01 Schneider et al., 2010   1. SYM 2. Wait-list 1. SYM 2. Wait-list 1. SYM 2. Hatha Yoga 3. Wait-list 1. SYM 2. Wait-list 10 8 44 31 ------ 93 6 week program, two 45 minute sessions per week + daily meditation at home (recommended) Positive affect Negative affect Personal Values Positive Affect + Happiness (P=.008); Fearlessness (P=.016); Inspired (P=.10) Negative Affect – Sadness (P=.001); Fatigue (P=.001); Upset (P=.003); Anger (P=.003); Nervous (P=.009) Lack of authenticity (P=.09) Dissatisfaction (P=.10) Personal Values + Forgiving (P=0.01); World of beauty (P=0.01); Unity with nature (P=0.03);Wisdom (P=0.08 ) Inner harmony (P=0.10); Responsibility P=0.01) Personal Values - Preserve of public image (P=0.05) Unclear Risk of Bias* Sharma et al., 2005 Adults with major depression 1. Sahaja Yoga Meditation + medication 2. Non active control group + medication 15 8 week program: 3 times a week a 30 minute session Depression: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Anxiety: Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) Depression – HAM-D (P<.001). Effect size : SYM vs. active control group on HAM-D: Cohen's d= 0.75 (95%CI 0.01 to 1.50), P=0.05 Anxiety - HAM-A (P<.001). Effect size: SYM vs. active control group on HAM -A: Cohen's d=1.16 (95%CI 0.35 to 1.88), P=0.004 Unclear to Low Risk of Bias Conclusions Evidence supports that SYM has beneficial effects on: >> Depression >> State Anxiety >> Stress >> Negative affect Furthermore significant increases are reported in: >> Quality of Life >> Feelings of bliss >> Happiness >> Mood Research also indicates: >> Lower levels of arousal >> Lower levels of mental activity Quality of the RCTs: one study has a low risk of bias, one study a moderate risk of bias and two studies have an unclear risk of bias. Quality of the NRCTs: moderate in one study and high in four studies. Methods Data sources and study selection PubMed, MEDLINE (NLM), Cochrane Library and PsychInfo were searched up to June 2014. Inclusion criteria : i) full text available; ii) publications of studies on the effect of Sahaja Yoga meditation; iii) randomized controlled trial studies, non-randomized controlled trial studies and controlled cohort studies; iv) main outcome measures that could be classified as psychological effects; v) participants were health adults or adults belonging to a clinical population. Methodological quality assessment Randomizes controlled trials were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool on 5 items for quality assessment. Non-randomized controlled trials and the cohort study were rated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, an assessment tool on 9 items for quality assessment. Aftanas & Golocheikine, 2001 NRCT Short term SY meditators vs Long term SY meditators 1. Short term SY meditators 2. Long term SY meditators 11 16 EEG study Emotionally positive state, Internalized attention Feelings of Bliss + (P<.014) Mental activity - (P<.025) 6/9** Aftanas & Golocheikine, 2003 Changes in cortical activity, psychometric parameters trait anxiety, neuroticism, difficulties in identification of feelings, emotions of happiness, level of mental activity, anxiety Happiness + (P <.014) Trait anxiety – (P <.022) Neuroticism – (P <.028) Mental activity – (P <.025) 7/9** Aftanas & Golocheikine, 2005 Long term SY meditators 1. Long-term SY meditators 2. Control group of none meditators 25 EEG activity during evoked negative emotions Emotional arousal – (P<.01) Chung et al., 2012 Adults, long time SY meditators 1. Sahaja Yoga Meditation 2. Conventional therapy 67 62 1. Averaged 1-week meditation treatment at SY health center, 2. Regular treatment at hospital Quality of Life: WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) , WHO Quality of Life Spirituality, Religiousness and Personal Beliefs (WHOQOL-SRPB). Anxiety: Clinical Anxiety Scale (CAS) Quality of Life + - Physical 1 (P<.001) – Physical 2 (P<.001) - Social Relationship (P<.001) - Environment (P<.001) - Spirituality (P<.001) Anxiety - (P<.001) Morgan, 2001 Adults primarily suffering from symptoms of anxiety, depression 1. Sahaja Yoga Meditation 2. CBT; anxiety management 3. Waitlist 21 10 6 Both: 6 week program, once a week 2 hour sessions Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADs) + General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) Anxiety - HADs anxiety - (P=.006). Effect size: SYM vs. control on HADS anxiety: Cohen's d=0.36 (95%CI -0.57 to 1.30), P=0.45 Depression - HADs depression - (P=.001). Effect size: SYM vs. control on HADS depression: Cohen's d=0.24 (95%CI -0.67 to 1.17), P=0.62 Recommendations Future research would benefit from upholding to high methodological standards and report in a subsequent manner. Shift in research focus on negative aspects (e.g. stress, anxiety, depression, negative affect) to positive effects (e.g. quality of life, happiness, resilience, positive affect) Acknowledgements The author would like to thank prof. J. de Jong at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), prof. P. Cuijpers at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) and prof. T. Graafsma at the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research (IGSR) for their guidance and support.