Effects of Spiritual Mantram Repetition on HIV Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

We examined the efficacy of a psycho-spiritual intervention of mantram repetition--a word or phrase with spiritual associations repeated silently throughout the day--on psychological distress (intrusive thoughts, stress, anxiety, anger, depression), quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction, and existential spiritual well-being in HIV-infected adults. Using a 2-group by 4-time repeated measures design, 93 participants were randomly assigned to mantram (n = 46) or attention control group (n = 47). Over time, the mantram group improved significantly more than the control group in reducing trait-anger and increasing spiritual faith and spiritual connectedness. Actual mantram practice measured by wrist counters was inversely associated with non-HIV related intrusive thoughts and positively associated with quality of life, total existential spiritual well-being, meaning/peace, and spiritual faith. Intent-to-treat findings suggest that a mantram group intervention and actual mantram practice each make unique contributions for managing psychological distress and enhancing existential spiritual well-being in adults living with HIV/AIDS.

Medicine for the Spirit: Religious Coping in Individuals with Medical Conditions

“…Despite the tendency of researchers and clinicians to portray meditation as a secular practice, it has roots in major religious traditions and may produce powerful spiritual experiences. Bormann et al [92] preserved the spiritual aspect of meditation in a study of its effects on health outcomes. Ninety-three HIV-positive adults were randomly assigned either to a 10-week meditation group or to an attention control group [92].…”

“…Bormann et al [92] preserved the spiritual aspect of meditation in a study of its effects on health outcomes. Ninety-three HIV-positive adults were randomly assigned either to a 10-week meditation group or to an attention control group [92]. The meditation group was received a collection of mantras (spiritual words or phrases) from a variety of religious traditions (i.e., Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Native American traditions).…”

Paternal Fears of Childbirth: A Literature Review

“…Findings indicated significant improvements in lowering levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and anger (Bormann, 2005;Bormann, Gifford, et al, 2006;Bormann, Oman, et al, 2006;Bormann et al, 2005). A small study on the feasibility of mantram repetition indicates the potential for using this intervention to help new fathers and mothers manage their childbirth fears and anxiety (Hunter et al, 2009).…”

La salud en el marco de la psicología de la religión y la espiritualidad

“…Otro estudio, realizado en los Estados Unidos por Bormann et al (2006), buscó analizar la eficacia de una intervención psicoespiritual sobre el distrés psicológico (los pensamientos intrusivos, el estrés, la ansiedad, la ira y la depresión), la calidad de vida y la satisfacción existencial espiritual de personas infectadas con el VIH. La intervención consistía en la repetición de un mantra (una palabra o frase con asociaciones espirituales repetida en silencio durante todo el día).…”