Join us in the following presentations of the study as well as posters at the Mental Health conference in Ahmedabad. The work showcases areas ranging from Regression Therapy (Inner Child Regression with Gestalt Body charge release and empty chair), Anxiety and review of self-regulation techniques, study of various meditation techniques and finally sound healing (singing bowls) case study.
Names of various lead authors and co-authors are captured below. The work is a collaboration of efforts of various interns including forensic psychologist Ashwathy. Nirma University students and LD College of Engineering students also have played a valuable role in this area.
Poster Abstract
Review of evidence on Anxiety Disorders and Self-Regulation Techniques
Authors: Ashwathy Menon(1), Gunjan Y Trivedi(2), Riri G Trivedi(3)
- Forensic Psychologist and Intern at Society for Energy & Emotions (SEE), Wellness Space, Ahmedabad, India (Correspondence: [email protected], +91.90996.47196)
- Life Coach & Co-founder, Society for Energy & Emotions (SEE), Wellness Space, Ahmedabad, India
- Personal Transformation Therapist and Co-founder, Society for Energy & Emotions (SEE), Wellness Space, Ahmedabad, India
Abstract:
Anxiety is the most common form of psychiatric disorder. Due to the physiological mechanisms activated with the anxiety and stress response in the body, subjects with chronic anxiety and stress have a greater risk of both physical and mental health problems. The objective of this poster is to review evidence in the area of self-regulation (i.e. techniques which can be easily learnt in a few days) and anxiety.
A qualitative search and review was conducted on PubMed and other libraries for anxiety and self-regulation methods based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) classification of anxiety types. The findings were documented to capture (a) Types of anxiety (b) self-regulation methods and (c) key findings.
The results confirm the evidence supporting three main categories of self-regulation techniques for managing anxiety i.e. (a) Biofeedback (b) Mind-body therapies (c) Emotional Freedom Technique. All categories and related techniques provide sufficient evidence for anxiety management (e.g. Tai Chi helps with GAD – Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Yoga has good benefits for PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Biofeedback and EFT are also useful for many of the anxiety types).
The findings support the use of self-regulation techniques for managing anxiety. Most of these techniques can be learnt in a few days and have no side-effects. Ongoing practice of these methods – as a lifestyle intervention – could be a meaningful intervention for subjects with anxiety. Future work in this area should explore more randomized control trials and explore how to combine these techniques with other interventions such as medications or psychotherapy.
Keywords: Anxiety; Self-Regulation; Biofeedback; Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Mind-body therapies
Poster Abstract
Comparative study of two meditative practices on variations in mood and Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Gunjan Y Trivedi(1) , Vidhi Patel(2) , Meghana Dhok(2), Shah Meghal(2), Dr. Kunal Bhoyania(3)
1 Co-founder, Society for Energy & Emotions (SEE), Wellness Space, Ahmedabad, India (Correspondence: [email protected] 2 Interns at SEE and Bio-Medical Engineering Students, LD College of Engineering, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India 3 Head of the Dept, Bio-Medical Engineering, LD College of Engineering, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India
Abstract: Evidence suggests many benefits of meditative practices on the mind and the body. Primary objective of this preliminary study is to explore whether active meditative protocol has more pronounced impact on the mood as compared to passive (placebo) meditation. The secondary objective is to understand the changes in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) during both meditations. Ten healthy subjects were assigned to two meditative practices for the duration of 30 minutes. PANAS survey measured the mood before and after the practices and HRV was measured during the practice using Emwave Pro device (Heartmath LLC). The findings indicate that in both meditative protocols, average positive affect increased (12% and 5% for active and passive meditation respectively). The negative affect decreased (-24% -11% for active and passive meditation respectively). However, while the negative affect decrease was statistically significant for both, the increase in positive affect was statistically significant only in active meditation protocol (p<.05) confirming the primary objective. This indicates that active meditation protocol has more pronounced impact on positive mood. The HRV parameters also show encouraging trend in both forms of meditation (Heart Rate decreases and HRV increases). The results confirm the preliminary objective that active meditation protocol has more pronounced impact on positive mood. Future work in this area must explore more subjects with detailed analysis of HRV data, pre-training for participants and understanding the impact on additional parameters such as anxiety and wellbeing.
Keywords: Meditation: Self-hypnosis: Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Heart Rate (HR): PANAS survey
Abstract for Poster Presentation
Case Report – Impact of Singing Bowl Sound Bath Session on Heart Rate Variability & Stress Index
Authors: Kratika Motwani(1), Aalia Lokhandwala(2), Shahin Gajipurwala(3)
1. Intern at Society for Energy and Emotions and B-tech Computer Science Student, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India (Correspondence: Kratika Motwani- [email protected], +91 9644408050),
2 – Intern at Society for Energy and Emotions and B-tech Computer Science Student, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India,
3-Data Administrator at Society for Energy and Emotions, Ahmedabad, India
Abstract:
This study explored the impact of sound bath session using Himalayan Singing Bowls’ on heart rate variability (HRV) and Stress Index (SI) parameters and compared it with the same parameters during silence for the same subject. The singing bowls are used for therapeutic intervention to enhance the individual’s emotional & physical well-being. For the case study, 7 metal singing bowls were used for 20 minutes in a particular sequence learnt from an expert teacher. The impact on the subject was measured using Emwave Pro device and the data was analysed using Kubios HRV Premium software for obtaining heart rate, heart rate variability and stress index data. The subject first experienced sound bath with singing bowls and after 2 weeks went through similar session in silence. The singing bowl “sound bath” session resulted in more reduction in stress index and an increase in heart rate variability parameters, as compared to the changes during the “silence session”.
Increased relaxation observed during singing bowls session as compared to silence provides useful insights about the power of sound vibrations as compared to lying down in silence for the same duration. The case study also provides a confirmation that singing bowls session can be leveraged as a tool for inducing the relaxation response (increased parasympathetic tone, reduced stress) to facilitate healing and energy recovery. More comprehensive studies must be conducted to further evaluate the findings with the use of control group (silence).
Keywords:
Stress Index, Heart Rate Variability, Singing Bowl, Relaxation Response
