A comparative study on the effects of transcendental meditation on perioperative haemodynamic parameters, pain and fetomaternal outcome on patients undergoing elective caesarian section under spinal anaesthesia

Abstract

Objective: To study and compare the effects of transcendental meditation (TM) on patients undergoing elective caesarian section under spinal anaesthesia in terms of perioperative haemodynamic parameters, pain and feto-maternal outcome. Materials and methods: This was a prospective comparative study, conducted in our hospital on 50 ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) grade I or II patients, aged 20-35 years, with gestation period ≥ 37 weeks, scheduled for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 25 each- Group A (TM therapy) and Group B (no therapy). Group A patients were explained about the procedure on the first antenatal visit and were sent the required videos on their smart phones, and feedback was subsequently taken on next visit. While next 25 patients were simply enrolled in the study as group B. Patients of both groups were then analyzed on the various parameters of feto-maternal outcome. Results: The commonest indication of elective CS was history of previous LSCS (40% and 48% respectively in group A and B). There was significant reduction in perioperative maternal complications in group A (TM group) as compared to the group B. There was no maternal mortality or neonatal mortality in either group. The pulse rate, respiratory rate and VAS score were also significantly favorable in Group A. Conclusions: TM therapy was highly successful in maintaining hemodynamic parameters and providing a good feto-maternal outcome in the study group as compared to the control group. There was also a significant reduction in the morbidity in the study group. TM therapy has the advantages of being pragmatic, simple and inexpensive along with the ease of applicability.