A new mind-body program called Meditation Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) was tested in 25 outpatients with mild or moderate depression to see if it was feasible and acceptable. Twenty patients completed at least six sessions, with 87.5% adherence. Most participants reported decreased emotional distress, increased self-confidence and self-acceptance, and many found the ethical aspects of yoga novel and inspiring. Depressive symptoms decreased by 39.23%, and measures of mindfulness and eudaemonic well-being improved significantly. The program appears highly acceptable and feasible for this population.
A meditation and yoga program (Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification, MBLM) improved heart rate variability (HRV) in outpatients with mild to moderate depression compared with standard clinical care. In an exploratory randomized trial, MBLM participants (22 people) showed gains in vagal tone (RMSSD) and symbolic dynamics entropy, while a minimal-treatment group (17 people on drugs only) showed almost no changes. The findings suggest that MBLM may benefit selected HRV parameters, but further 24-hour monitoring is needed to confirm long-term effects.