J Prev Med Public Health.  2010 Sep;43(5):445-450. 10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.5.445.

Mind-Body Approach in the Area of Preventive Medicine: Focusing on Relaxation and Meditation for Stress Management

• Kang Y

• KMID: 983831
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.5.445

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Emotional support and a stress management program should be simultaneously provided to clients as effective preventive services for healthy behavioral change. This study was conducted to review various relaxation and meditation intervention methods and their applicability for a preventive service program.
METHODS AND RESULTS
The author of this paper tried to find various relaxation and meditation programs through a literature review and program searching and to introduce them. The 'Relaxation Response' and 'Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)' are the most the widely used meditative programs in mainstream medical systems. Abdominal breathing, Progressive Musclular Relaxation (PMR), Relaxative Imagery, Autogenic Training (AT) and Biofeedback are other well-known techniques for relaxation and stress management. I have developed and implemented some programs using these methods. Relaxation and meditation classes for cancer patients and a meditation based stress coping workshop are examples of this program.
CONCLUSIONS
Relaxation and meditation seem to be good and effective methods for primary, secondary and tertiary preventive service programs. Program development and standardization and further study are needed for more and wider use of the mind-body approach in the preventive service area of medicine.

Keyword

Mind-body therapies; Relaxation therapy; Meditation; Preventive medicine

MeSH Terms

Biofeedback, Psychology
Humans
*Meditation
*Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical
Mind-Body Therapies
*Preventive Health Services
Primary Prevention
*Relaxation Therapy
Secondary Prevention
Stress, Psychological/prevention & control/*therapy
Tertiary Prevention