Researchers:
Yun, M. R., Doctoral student, Dept of nursing, Seoul National University
Yoo, Y. K. Assistant Professor, Kunsan University
Choi, E. H. Preventive Medicine Researcher, Public Health, Catholic University
Kim, K. A. Chair of Internal Medicine, Ulsan Je-il medical center
Journal Publisher: Journal of Human Completion, Vol. 4
Published year: 2012
This research study examined the mental health effects of Ma-eum Su-ryun on adults with neuropsychiatric disorders. Data from 58 participants were analyzed in this study.
When examining diagnoses of the participants, the majority had depression (55.7%), insomnia (19%), other mental disorder (11.4%), phobia (5.7%), bipolar disorder (3.2%), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (2.5%). The study results showed most of the participants (88.3%) reported that Ma-eum Su-ryun helped with their mental health. Negative feelings such as depression, anxiety, tension, anger, irritation, and resentment decreased from average of 7.62(±2.01) to 2.89(±1.89); and positive feelings such as happiness, affirmation, life satisfaction, improved relationship increased from average of 2.93(±2.38) to 6.91(±2.21), indicating superior mental health effects.
After Ma-eum Su-ryun(Maum Meditation), 44.1% of the participants answered they were able to discontinue taking psychiatric medications and 38.2% said they decreased medication dosages. It’s significant that this study results evidenced healing effects in adults with mental disorders by demonstrating either discontinuing or decreasing medication dosages.
Study purpose
This study examined the effects of Ma-eum Su-ryun on adults with mental health disorders to contribute to strategies for improving mental health in adults. The following were objectives of this research study:
- To identify characteristics and mental health conditions of Ma-eum Su-ryun participants
- To examine any improvements in mental health of the participants after Ma-eum Su-ryun program
- To examine any decreases in number of psychiatric medications of the participants after Ma-eum Su-ryun program
Study participants and method
Of 158 adults with psychiatric disorders participating in the Ma-eum Su-ryun, 102 participants who continued the program at least 2 months (during the time frame from July 2011 to September 2012) were asked to complete self-reported questionnaires and phone interviews.
Data collection occurred from August to October 2012 and 58 participants from recruited 102 initial participants fully completed the questionnaires and interviews (completion rate 56.9%).
Study results
The participants were asked if the Ma-eum Su-ryun was helpful for reductions in sadness, nervousness, anger, stress; and improvements in happiness, confidence, optimistic attitude. 60.6% of the participants stated the Ma-eum Su-ryun was very helpful and 27.7% reported that it was moderately helpful with overall 88.3% reporting the Ma-eum Su-ryun program was helpful to their mental health conditions.
The highest number of participants (69.0%) reported decreased hatred and resentment about someone. Over 60% reported that the Ma-eum Su-ryun was helpful with: reduced anger (65.5%); increased positive attitude (65.5%); decreased sadness (63.8%); decreased tension and restlessness (63.8%); decreased irritability (63.8%); felt happier (60.3%).
Analysis of changes in mental health before and after Ma-eum Su-ryun showed significant improvements in all variables examined.
Negative feelings of depression, nervousness, anxiety, and stress were significantly decreased: before the Ma-eum Su-ryun from 7.62(±2.01) to after 2.89(±1.98).
Positive feelings of happiness, optimism, life satisfaction, and improved relationship were significantly increased: before the Ma-eum Su-ryun from 2.93(±2.38) to after 6.91(±2.21).
With improvement of symptoms after the Ma-eum Su-ryun program, 44.1% were able to stop taking their medications and 38.2% were able to reduce their medication dosages.
Extent of helpfulness of Ma-eum Su-ryun on mental health (second table above)
Very helpful/moderately helpful/slightly helpful/ no help at all (bottom of graph)
Decreased sad feelings (orange)
Decreased restlessness and tension (green)
Decreased anger (teal green)
Decreased irritability (red-orange)
Decreased nervousness (purple)
Recommendation
Mental health could be solved by taking care of mind.
This study confirms that the Ma-eum Su-ryun program was significantly effective in improving negative feelings (depression, anxiety, nervousness, anger, irritability, resentment) and enhancing positive feelings (gratitude, satisfaction, happiness) by deeply self-reflecting to eliminate the causes of suffering and problem of mind and find the original nature.
Because the participants with mental disorders were able to stop/decrease medications, the study results suggested its superior healing efficacy.
With the increases in neuro-psychiatric disabilities, psychiatric disorders and related societal problems, the study researchers recommend an active application within communities of the Ma-eum Su-ryun program which was shown to be effective in healing and recovering from mental health problems.
Source: www.meditationlife.org
