Effect of OM Chanting of 528Hz Frequency on Heart Rate Variability, Psychological Wellbeing, and Quality of Sleep in Patients of Hypertension: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Résumé

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is associated with lower heart rate variability (HRV) and multiple psychological and sleep disturbances. OM chanting, a scriptural form of meditation, has been shown to improve multiple cardiac, psychological, and autonomic factors in different cohorts.PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of listening to OM chanting composed at 528Hz on heart rate, blood pressure, HRV, psychological general wellbeing, and quality of sleep in patients with HTN.METHODS: Sixty patients with diagnosed Stage 1 HTN were randomised into control and intervention groups. Patients in the experimental group listened to an audio recording of OM chanting daily for one month. Patients in the control group received standard care. Outcome measures were assessed immediately after the first session and at the end of one month.RESULTS: After one month of intervention, a significant ( < .05) reduction in the pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), a significant increase in RMSSD, SDNN, PNN50, HF, Total power, and LF/HF ratio was observed at the end of the first session and at the end of the intervention. No adverse events were reported during the trial period. Repeated-measures two-way ANOVA results indicate that significant time-dependent effects of OM chanting on pulse and SBP, and a marginal positive trend of effects on SDNN and RMSSD. Pearson correlation analysis indicates that the intervention group showed decoupling of the BP-sleep link, hinting at a beneficial effect.CONCLUSION: Listening to 528 Hz frequency OM chanting for one month reduces pulse and blood pressure, and enhances parasympathetic dominance on HRV analysis. It also improves psychological wellbeing, reduces perceived stress, and improves the quality of sleep. OM can be considered an important non-pharmacologic therapy in HTN. It is convenient, socially, and culturally acceptable, harmless, and in sync with deeply rooted religious/spiritual practices of the community.