Meditation as a Stress Management Strategy in Cardiac Rehabilitation for Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Meditation as a Stress Management Strategy in Cardiac Rehabilitation for Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether adding a 16-week structured meditation intervention to a long-term (phase III) cardiac rehabilitation program reduces perceived stress and improves anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Patients were randomized 1:1 to standard cardiac rehabilitation plus meditation (experimental group) or standard cardiac rehabilitation alone (control group). The meditation intervention consisted of four weekly 90-minute group sessions followed by 12 weeks of daily individual practice supported by weekly follow-up calls. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks.

Despite advances in cardiac care, psychological stress, anxiety, and depression remain common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and contribute to worse cardiovascular outcomes. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are effective in reducing physical risk factors but often do not adequately address the psychological burden of CAD. Mind-body interventions such as meditation have been suggested as cost-effective adjuncts to CR, but evidence in long-term phase III CR programs remains limited.

This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the additive effect of a structured meditation intervention combining Karuna (compassion) and Metta (loving-kindness) practices, integrated into a long-term CR program. The intervention included four weekly 90-minute group sessions led by a physiotherapist trained in meditation techniques, followed by 12 weeks of daily individual practice (20 minutes/day) supported by recorded video material and weekly follow-up telephone calls. Outcomes were measured at baseline (M0) and after 16 weeks (M1), using validated psychometric instruments administered by telephone interview by a blinded health professional.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years (male or female).
• Clinically stable coronary artery disease, documented by previous myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention, or angina pectoris.
• Active participation in the long-term cardiac rehabilitation program for at least 3 months.
• Access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer for telephone follow-up and meditation video materials.
• Written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment that prevents informed consent or questionnaire completion.
• Symptomatic heart failure.
• Cardiac implantable defibrillators or resynchronization devices.
• Lack of access to the technology required for the intervention.