Research Papers
Meditation and Its Effect on Chronic Physical Illnesses among Medical Outpatients at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Authors:
I. C. I. Kahandawaarachchi ,
National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
W. A. Jayanaga
National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
Abstract
Objective
Assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices about meditation and its effect on chronic physical illnesses among patients attending medical outpatient clinics at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.
Results
The population mean age was 61 and 110 (46%) practised meditation. Buddhists practised different forms of meditation whereas people following other religions mainly concentrated on God as their predominant form of meditation. The majority (87.4%) who meditated were not formally trained. Approximately two thirds (60%) of the cohort showed a significant interest in being formally trained. More people believed meditation can help control psychiatric illnesses compared to physical illnesses (79% vs. 56.7%). Female patients who had attended religious schools tended to believe in meditation more.
Conclusions
Almost half of the sample patient population (46%) practised meditation of some form. The majority of the cohort was not trained in meditation but showed interest in pursuing meditation as a means of adjunctive therapy for their chronic physical diseases.
How to Cite:
Kahandawaarachchi, I.C.I. and Jayanaga, W.A., 2022. Meditation and Its Effect on Chronic Physical Illnesses among Medical Outpatients at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Journal of the Ruhunu Clinical Society, 27(1), pp.27–37. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jrcs.v27i1.122
Published on
23 Dec 2022.
Peer Reviewed
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