title: Effects of Buddhism walking meditation on depression, functional fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in depressed elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of the novel Buddhism-based walking meditation (BWM) and the traditional walking exercise (TWE) on depression, functional fitness, and vascular reactivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized exercise intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a university hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five elderly participants aged 60-90 years with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms were randomly allocated to the sedentary control, TWE, and BWM groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The BWM program was based on aerobic walking exercise incorporating the Buddhist meditations performed 3 times/week for 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Depression score, functional fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation as measured by the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were the outcome measures used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Muscle strength, flexibility, agility, dynamic balance, and cardiorespiratory endurance increased in both exercise groups (p<0.05). Depression score decreased (p<0.05) only in the BWM group. FMD improved (p<0.05) in both exercise groups. Significant reduction in plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein were found in both exercise groups, whereas low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cortisol, and interleukin-6 concentrations decreased only in the BWM group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Buddhist walking meditation was effective in reducing depression, improving functional fitness and vascular reactivity, and appears to confer greater overall improvements than the traditional walking program.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Sports Science, Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok, Thailand .
authors.forename: Susaree
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prakhinkit
authors.forename: Siriluck
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suppapitiporn
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Daroonwan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suksom
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002016:Buddhism / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins