Comparing the Effects of Yoga Nidra and Body Scan Meditation on Pain Outcomes.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized quasi-experimental controlled study
PubMed 41743305 · doi:10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_2_25
What was done
A quasi-experimental study evaluated 23 adults with chronic pain assigned to either a 45-minute yoga nidra session (n = 12) or a 45-minute body scan meditation session (n = 11). Pain intensity, pain anxiety, well-being, and optimism were assessed pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 24 hours post-intervention.
What was found
Both groups showed statistically significant reductions over time in pain intensity and pain-related anxiety (P < 0.01), with reductions observed regardless of group. Yoga nidra produced significantly greater improvements in well-being immediately post-intervention compared to body scan (P = 0.01). No significant differences or main effects were found between groups for optimism (P = 0.60). Numerical values, baseline scores, and effect sizes were not provided in the abstract.
Why it matters
This paper provides preliminary comparative data on two mind-body practices, suggesting both can acutely reduce pain intensity and pain anxiety, while yoga nidra may offer an additional immediate benefit for well-being.
Limits
The study is limited by a very small sample size of 23 participants, a non-randomized quasi-experimental design, absence of an untreated or sham control group, and follow-up limited to 24 hours. Specific pain etiologies and quantitative outcome scores were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Rotations of sensory awareness through the body, such as in Yoga Nidra, can help relieve chronic pain by leveraging neuroplasticity in the somatosensory cortex.