Management of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome with meditation and yoga: Healing through natural therapy

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Aims and objectives of the study were to study the effectiveness of Raj-yoga meditation and pranayama in patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) and compared the effects with ongoing conventional noninvasive treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 30 patients divided equally (10 each) into 3 group, i.e., control group (conventional, noninvasive treatment), Experimental A group (conventional, noninvasive treatment with raj-yoga meditation therapy and pranayama), and Experimental B group (Raj-yoga meditation therapy and pranayama only). Parameters such as pain, mouth opening, mandibular deviation, inflammation, swelling, clicking, occlusion, and psychologic evaluation such as anxiety, stress, and depression were assessed before the start of the study and at weekly intervals for 3 months. RESULTS: Posttreatment pain and inflammation improved both in the control group and Experimental A group, but statistically it is highly significant in the Experimental A group. Furthermore, it is effective immediately as well as for a long period in Experimental A group. Improvement in mouth opening was statistically highly significant in control group but not in the experimental groups. Posttreatment anxiety and stress status was improved with statistically highly significant result in the Experimental A and B. The posttreatment depression status along with mandibular deviation, swelling, clicking, and occlusion has not improved significantly in any of the groups. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Raj-yoga meditation and pranayama in combination with conventional, noninvasive, treatment modalities showed promising results in MPDS patients as compared to either modalities alone.