THERAPUTIC YOGAMEDITATION AND GROUP COUNSELLING – A COMPARATIVE STUDY

ABSTRACT of paper presented at the Indian Epilepsy Conference - Bangalore-5- 6- October 2006

REDUCTION IN ANXIETY FOLLOWING GROUP INTERVENTION AND YOGA-MEDITATION FOR PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY -A RANDOMIZED EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Authors : Jayachandran. D, Kurnar.K.A, Radhakrishnan.K, Sudev P.B and  Mohandas.G

R. Madhavan Nayar Centre for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care , Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala,

Background : Anxiety and depression are more prevalent among people with epilepsy. Some patients may have seizures that are associated with, or precipitated by anxiety. Many studies, fail to distinguish between 'state' anxiety and 'trait' anxiety. Psycho educational group intervention for patients with epilepsy and their family members and yoga-meditation ('Pranayama 'for 20 minutes twice daily ) have been practiced in this center for the past many years. The present attempt is to evaluate the efficacy of these two programs in reducing state and trait anxiety following an experimental research design.

Objective: To find out the impact of psycho educational group intervention and Yoga meditation in reducing state and trait anxiety among patients with epilepsy attending these programs.

Method: 36 patients with epilepsy were randomized into three groups (12 each) for group intervention, meditation and control group. The state-trait anxiety scale developed by Spiel Berger, which was translated and standardized into Malayalam language, was administered to patients attending psycho educational group sessions, yoga meditation and a control group prior to intervention and after 3 months and six months after intervention.

Results : The actual changes after controlling the initial difference among experimental and control groups (ANCOVA) at six months showed significant reduction in scores (P=<0.G5) for trait anxiety and total anxiety for psycho education and meditation groups. The analysis with ANOVA also showed significant reduction (P=<0.05) in state anxiety score for psycho education group.

Conclusions: The psycho education and Yoga meditation methods are effective in reducing anxiety for patients with epilepsy attending these programms.

A pilot study of a yoga meditation protocol for patients with medically refractory epilepsy.

The R. Madhavan Nayar Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Kerala, India, assessed the efficacy of a yoga meditation protocol (YMP) as an adjunctive treatment in patients with drug-resistant chronic epilepsy. The yoga intervention consisted of a YMP 20 minutes twice daily (mornings and evenings) at home, and supervised sessions of a YMP every week for 3 months. Continuation of the YMP beyond 3 months was optional. The non-randomized, open-label, add-on trial with 20 patients suffering from epilepsy with at least 4 CPS (14 males and six females, ages 15-47) began with a 12-week period to get baseline measures, followed by a 12-week supervised YMP phase. The frequency of complex partial seizures (CPS) was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months during the treatment period. Subjects with 50% or more reduction in the monthly seizure rate from baseline were classified as responders, and subjects with less than 50% seizure reduction were categorized as nonresponders.

At 3 months, a reduction in seizure frequency was noted in all except 1 patient, six of whom had 50% or greater seizure reduction. Of 16 patients who continued the YMP beyond 3 months, 14 patients responded at 6 months; 6 of them were seizure-free for 3 months. All eight patients who continued the YMP beyond 6 months responded; three of them were seizure-free for 6 months.

The study concludes that, if confirmed through randomized trials involving a larger number of patients, this YMP intervention may become a cost-effective adjunctive treatment, with no adverse effects, in patients with drug-resistant epilepsies.


Citation: Rajesh B, Jayachandran D, Mohandas G, Radhakrishnan K. A pilot study of a yoga meditation protocol for patients with medically refractory epilepsy. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 May;12 (4): pages 367-71.

YOGIC THEORY ON VITAL ENERGY AND LANGUAGE

According to yogic science, there  are  four  steps for the development and application of language.   They are Sukshma (subtle) Pashyanthy (visual) Madhyama (median) and Vaikhary (word). Vital forces play important role in this up ward movement of articulation.

l)Sukshma(Subtle):- There shall be no written or spoken form for the 'idea' in this stage. Only a subtle explosion of idea or vision is taken place. The position of vital force in this state is described to be the lower part of Sushumna (spinal cord). Structures of all human languages are similar because in this level all languages are having same dynamics of development.

2) Pashyanthy (Visual):- It is described in the yogic texts that in this stage 'word' exist in luminous mind as a memory-without clarity. Gurus explain this stage of language formation in poetic language:- 'this process is similar to development of colours in the tail feathers of peacocks still growing inside the egg'. Vital force is said to have its position at navel; i.e. vital radiations at the corresponding part of spinal cord is responsible for this stage of language formation.

3)Madhyama (Median):- In this state pronunciation becomes clear but not audible. Sound exists in the inner knowledge. It is said that vital force in chest and throat is responsible for this stage of language formation.

4)Vaikhary (the word):- The word gets clear pronunciation and become audible. It is described that vital force reaches tongue and palate, at this state. Motor nerves reaching these areas are activated by the ionizing radiations coming from different parts of central nervous system.

            Seers of the past ages have classified the stages of development of language formation by closely following the movement of vital force in their own body-mind, in the course of that process. Even today the ideas about language development could not reach a perfect state even though much sophisticated instruments are available for research purposes.

REASON FOR PULSATION OF HEART-VITAL RADIATIONS

Ancient Indian science of genesis had described that it is by combining five basic elements namely earth, water, fire, air, and space: every tiling ranging from atom to universe were created.

It is described that space has no qualities such as smell, colour, form, taste or sensation of touch. Sound (resonance) is attributed to be the quality of space. It is evident that radiations or electromagnetic waves present in the space are implied here.

There are beautiful descriptions about the presence of space (Akasha) in the heart, in many texts including Upanishads. In Thrishikha Brahmanopanishad, space in the heart is called Chaithanyam (energy), Jyothi (light) Chinmayam (energetic) Deepasadrisam ( similar to a lamp ) Monyprapham (Lusturous as precious gem).

In another text 'Adharvashiras' it is described that vital force has it seat at the heart and it is very subtle, very luminous and that only Cosmos (Brahma) can be said to be greater than this energy.

In Thrishikha brahmanam it is said that in the heart there is energy in the form of the bud of turmeric. It is clear that this denotes the Sinu Atrial node, which 'generates 'energy for the pulsation of heart. There is another description in texts that soul resides in this part of heart, which is as large as the thump. Here also radiations in the Sinu Atrial Node is referred to.Sinu Atrial Node creates pulses because radiations reached here from brain through vagus and other nerves. The cells of heart and S.A Node - which are some what similar to nerve cells, - are capable of absorbing radiations and producing pulses.

It is evident that, what is denoted as Hryudayakasha (Space in the Heart) is radiations creating pulses in S.A. Node and hence creating pulsation of heart.

LEVEL OF VITAL ENERGY INFLUENCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEDICINES

'The big problem' faced by pharmaceutical researchers is the 'falling down' of molecular compounds "in the clinic" when they are put into regulatory (approval) system. More than 90 percent of new drugs entering clinical development, fail, due to lack of effectiveness or adverse side effects that were not picked up in animal trials.

In order to overcome this problem "Stem Cells for Safer medicines Ltd." (U.K) propose "to use stem cells for safety testing as a better way of testing for liver toxicity". They are planning to "differentiate liver cells from existing stem cell lines". They hope that it shall help them to "screen for potentially dangerous side effects of new drugs before they go into clinical trials".

All medicinal molecules are interacting with living cells which have two kinds of environments. The first is the material one including metabolic wastes and chemical impurities created by improper food, water etc. The other one is the vital radiations passing through or reaching the nerves, liver, heart, muscles etc.

History of failures will repeat if the researchers further ignore the influence of the above said factors. In some patients' internal systems, metabolic, chemical and other impurities may be less and in some others these factors may be high. Some patients may be consuming food, water, air etc. which contribute less or nil for the further accumulation of the negative factors; some others may be consuming food, water etc. which contribute more for the further accumulation of the negative factors. Some patients may be consuming food etc. containing more chemicals as artificial colours, flavours, taste and preservatives and pesticides which shall become harmful to internal systems. Success, failure, or adverse side effects of the same drug are decided by the complex and delicate equilibrium of all these factors acting in the bodies of different patients. The research works using stem cells cannot predict what shall happen in the real circumstances. This research also shall become a futile exercise wasting millions of pounds, and efforts of thousands of researchers — if the authorities still don't take all these factors into consideration. We have to remember that the molecule (drug) and cells are interacting not in vacuum or in isolation. Each interaction is taking place in separate environments, in various patients' bodies. Therefore the result also shall be different We cannot expect the result achieved through the interaction of stem cells and drug molecules in the environment created at laboratory, shall repeat in the internal systems in the bodies of all patients. Some patients may be consuming food with adequate nutrition, calorie etc. Some others may be consuming food consisting inadequate or excess amount of nutrition, calorie etc. In some patients absorption and distribution of vital radiations may be less or may be having blockages in some parts of nervous system. In some others too much of this energy may be passing through nerves and reaching heart etc.

Same fate of failure shall be waiting the research conducted at Leicester University under the leadership of Prof. Will Stuart - on the effect of some molecules extracted from a variety of rice (from Thailand), red wine, turmeric and a variety of berry on cancers in breast, prostrate and large intestine ; if they also ignore the factors explained above. More researches - are needed on the confluence of all constituents, creating health or ill health.

Nobel Prize Committee 2007 (medicine biology) still expects that "Gene targeting" (invented at 1986) in embryonic stem cells of mice producing "different mouse models of human disorders (!) including cardio vascular and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetis and cancer"; shall help to develop cures for those disorders contracted by human beings. They think that the diseases are created by mutations in genes. But really the mutations are created by abnormal amount of vital radiations passing through and reaching the systems such as nerves, heart, bone narrow, liver etc.; while the presence of toxins, metabolic wastes and various impurities in those systems, is high in persons with diseases (please see the part - "Comments on genetic research in epilepsy" given in this book.)

Giving false hopes about treating diseases and maintaining health through genetic engineering, biotechnology, biomedicine, bio informatics, molecular biology etc. is needed for many modern industries viz. Diagnostic tools manufacturing and operating industries; pharmaceutical industry ; industries producing chemical pesticides, artificial preservatives- colours-flavors etc.; agricultural industry producing genetically modified food which shall be having unforeseen harmful effects (as knocking out, recombination, cutting and pasting etc. of genes shall create unexpected ripple effects; because 'what a gene does, depends on the context in which it find itself); industries producing substances for food adulteration, products and substances polluting water and air ; food 'processing' industry; war industry producing chemical, biological and similar weapons; and also tobacco industry. The ignorant or apathetic majority think that they can consume anything and follow any lifestyles (leading to disease conditions); and that the diseases shall be cured by the modern 'miracle drugs' and treatments.

A friendly warning to the professionals, administrators, rulers,  politicians,  policy makers,  industrialists,  commercial marketers etc., in these fields :- Ignoring and neglecting all factors (mentioned in many sections of this book) leading to diseases shall be detrimental to the interests of all sections of human  society  including   the   ones  mentioned   above.   Any members of these sections, their family members, friends and relatives may contract any disease at any time.   Neglecting and hiding facts and truths shall adversely affect the recovery of them also.   Therefore they should give more importance to the truths and facts behind diseases, than to the importance given to careerist, industrial, commercial and financial interests; in order to avoid regret in the future. Otherwise we shall have to transform the slogan 'Health for all by 2000" into "111 health for all by 2020.

FEVER – Blockage of Vital Energy in Total Nervous System

            Here I am trying to examine the basic dynamism behind the condition of high temperature in the body (presence of abnormal heat without any external reasons or physical exercise). High fever is one of the symptoms of many diseases ranging from influenza, Dengue fever, Chikun Guinea, Meningitis, Encephalits, Pneumonia, Plague, Small pox,  Chicken pox,   Filaria,   Malaria,   Tuberculosis,   AIDS,   Diphtheria, and all infectious diseases supposed to be caused by bacteria or viruses. Initially a small quantity of bacteria or virus enters the body through air, water, food, or through body contact. Bacteria/ virus survives and multiply in some bodies only, i.e. in the bodies in which the internal environment (blood, liver, brain, nervous and other systems) is containing more impurities, metabolic wastes etc. and the level of vital radiations is low. In this stage, because of the inherent dynamisms of living body, the central nervous system suddenly starts absorbing more vital radiations from atmosphere.   These energies are then spread to the whole body through total nervous system.    The nerves surrounded with impurities, metabolic wastes, bacteria, virus etc, give 'resistance’ and generate heat while more energy is passed through.

Almost all drugs used in modern medicine, to reduce this high temperature, decrease the energy absorbing and conducting capacity of nervous system. Even though some relief is got for the time being by consuming these drugs, low level of vital energy and congenial impure material condition of body help the bacteria, virus etc to multiply fast. Thus the infections may spread to more vital parts of the body and shall lead to more severe crisis. (Please remember the tragedy in Nigeria - 1996 during a clinical trial.) The safer and saner way is to help the body to cleanse itself, by giving enough rest to the body including the digestive systems by consuming easily digestible, herballiquid food materials and safe drinking water so that the metabolic wastes and impurities shall be excreted through sweat and urine. When the cleansing process is over the temperature shall reduce to the normal level.

If physicians practicing modern medicine accept the role of vital radiations and impurities in the genesis and Dynamics of fever, billions of patients shall escape from more severe diseases, affecting liver, kidney, brain etc., followed with fever. Almost all cases of fever and the following complications can be prevented by keeping purity of food, water and air and also through maintaining a healthy life style and absorbing sufficient enough vital radiations by prayer, pranayama or meditaion and utilizing some herbs known to have cleansing and antimicrobial/antiviral properties.

Unfortunately the pharmaceutical industry is trying to market more and more drugs even by fraudulent means such as giving ‘incentives’ to a section of officials of World Health Organisation (please remember the fear created about H1N1).

Real causes of deaths after viral infections such as Chikkun Guniea and Viral fever

Modern medicine people and some of the representatives of Governments of Kerala and India declare that Chickun Gunea and viral fever shall never become a cause for deaths.  Truly the cause of deaths in these conditions is not the disease but the wrong kinds of treatments.  All the patients are instructed to consume paracetamol and 'normal' food, by the authorities through media advertisements. In addition to the existing impurities in blood streams and systems, more impurities are infused to the blood stream, liver etc, through 'normal food' in at least some cases. The consumption of Non steroid anti inflammatory drugs, paracetamol and painkillers reduces the absorption and passage of vital energy hence creating a more $ conducive environment for virus. (Various combinations of paracetamol reduce the number of platelets in some case). Then the virus multiplies more speedily and spread in to the whole blood stream, liver, spinal cord and brain. Hence the death of the patients. In   nations   such   as   India where   Nimazulide combinations, and irrational Fixed Dose combinations such as Diclofenac, serratin peptidase etc. are not yet prohibited, kidney and liver of patients who consume these drugs are destroyed, which may be one of the causes behind the 'inexplicable' deaths  after Chikun Gunea / viral fever. Even though the study on the functions of histamines in the body is only in embryonic stage anti histamines also are given to the patients which reduces the absorption of vital energy. This process also may lead to 'inexplicable' deaths.

Some mysterious deaths following viral fever are the cumulative effect of simultaneous administration of different drugs such as painkillers, tranquilizers, anti-histamines, sedatives, drugs for hypertension, anxiolytics and anticonvulsants, (all of which reduce the capacity of CN.S. to absorb radiations from atmosphere) leading to the termination of the distribution of vital radiations - hence the functions of heart, lungs and other organs controlled by the autonomous nervous system are stopped. In this condition, the sensory motor areas of brain also don't receive vital radiations leading to total collapse of the system.

Dementia - A Holistic Approach

When impurities are accumulated in many parts of the brain the neurons surrounding these impurities are degenerated and functions such as memory, reasoning power etc are impaired. The accumulation of impurity is caused by inadequate absorption of vital radiations and wrong types of foods. In the initial stages the progress of this disease can be arrested by meditation, regulation of Vital energy and dietary changes which shall cleanse the brain, and also by giving necessary mental exercise such as reading, intellectual work etc. These patients should avoid beef, pork, stale food, sour food and other impure foods etc. Organic vegetarian food shall be beneficial for these patients.