Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study

Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, with a growing body of literature linking it to mental disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (SSM) on depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and community integration in patients with glaucom...

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Main Authors: Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta, Hyunsoo (Jason) Jang, Brian Yu, Cindy Hutnik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:JFO Open Ophthalmology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294988992500011X
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author Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta
Hyunsoo (Jason) Jang
Brian Yu
Cindy Hutnik
author_facet Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta
Hyunsoo (Jason) Jang
Brian Yu
Cindy Hutnik
author_sort Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta
collection DOAJ
description Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, with a growing body of literature linking it to mental disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (SSM) on depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and community integration in patients with glaucoma. Methods: A prospective feasibility study was conducted with 28 participants aged 18 and older, including those with mild to severe glaucoma and glaucoma suspects. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving treatment as usual (TAU) and the other receiving TAU plus Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (SSM). The SSM group participated in a structured 4-day group session and were instructed to meditate regularly on their own. Assessments were conducted on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL), depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and community integration at baseline and at the 24-week follow-up. Feasibility outcomes were measured, and statistical analysis was performed using STATA 18.0. Results: The SSM group showed a significant reduction in depression and improvement in sleep quality compared to the control group. Additionally, the SSM group experienced a reduction in anxiety symptoms. However, there were no significant differences in VRQOL, and community integration between the two groups. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: SSM may help reduce depressive symptoms and improve sleep quality in glaucoma patients. It may also alleviate anxiety symptoms. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-50ba31f7edac4bb4bf7e4b9f179168fd2025-08-20T03:48:27ZengElsevierJFO Open Ophthalmology2949-88992025-06-011010016410.1016/j.jfop.2025.100164Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility studyMonali S. Malvankar-Mehta0Hyunsoo (Jason) Jang1Brian Yu2Cindy Hutnik3Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Corresponding author at: Ivey Eye Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, N6A 4V2, ON, Canada.Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, CanadaSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, CanadaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Department of Pathology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, CanadaBackground: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, with a growing body of literature linking it to mental disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (SSM) on depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and community integration in patients with glaucoma. Methods: A prospective feasibility study was conducted with 28 participants aged 18 and older, including those with mild to severe glaucoma and glaucoma suspects. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving treatment as usual (TAU) and the other receiving TAU plus Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (SSM). The SSM group participated in a structured 4-day group session and were instructed to meditate regularly on their own. Assessments were conducted on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL), depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and community integration at baseline and at the 24-week follow-up. Feasibility outcomes were measured, and statistical analysis was performed using STATA 18.0. Results: The SSM group showed a significant reduction in depression and improvement in sleep quality compared to the control group. Additionally, the SSM group experienced a reduction in anxiety symptoms. However, there were no significant differences in VRQOL, and community integration between the two groups. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: SSM may help reduce depressive symptoms and improve sleep quality in glaucoma patients. It may also alleviate anxiety symptoms. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294988992500011XFeasibility trialGlaucomaMeditationPilot study
spellingShingle Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta
Hyunsoo (Jason) Jang
Brian Yu
Cindy Hutnik
Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study
JFO Open Ophthalmology
Feasibility trial
Glaucoma
Meditation
Pilot study
title Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study
title_full Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study
title_fullStr Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study
title_short Effects of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation on health-related quality of life of glaucoma patients: A feasibility study
title_sort effects of sahaj samadhi meditation on health related quality of life of glaucoma patients a feasibility study
topic Feasibility trial
Glaucoma
Meditation
Pilot study
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294988992500011X
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