It’s a meditation technique.
Recent research has demonstrated that a meditation practice called mindful breathing can be beneficial for cancer patients in managing their pain and anxiety. This study, led by Dr. Tan Seng Beng, a palliative care specialist at Subang Jaya Medical Center in Malaysia, revealed that patients who engaged in mindful breathing for 20 minutes saw a more substantial decrease in pain compared to those who did not participate in the practice.
Mindful breathing involves concentrating on the rhythm of one’s breath as it enters and leaves the body. Previous research had explored the effects of shorter sessions of mindful breathing, generally lasting between 5 and 10 minutes. However, this new study extended the duration to 20 minutes to evaluate its impact on pain associated with cancer.
In the study, 40 cancer patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group received guidance on mindful breathing for 20 minutes, while the other group spent the same amount of time conversing with doctors about their cancer experiences. Pain levels were evaluated using various assessment tools, and the group practicing mindful breathing reported more noticeable pain relief.
Published on August 20 in the journal BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, the study’s results indicated that mindful breathing is effective in reducing both pain intensity and anxiety, without any negative side effects. The researchers emphasized that this technique is straightforward to learn and could serve as a valuable addition to conventional pain management strategies, such as opioid therapies.
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