MEDITATION IS THE BEST MEDICATION: IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is affecting many individuals in the world, irrespective of ethnicity, gender and age. CKD requires dialysis or renal transplant. Haemodialysis, associated clinical conditions such as hypertension, cardiac problems, infections, headaches, muscle cramps, body pains and stigma of the disease adversely impact the survival and quality of life (QOL) despite technological advances. In addition, patients on regular haemodialysis develop sleep disorders such as insomnia and central apnea, restless leg syndrome, depression, anxiety and stress. Meditation as a complimentary therapy has been shown to decrease ones anxiety and stress, and improve comfort of patients with chronic diseases.  This review describes benefits of meditation and also introduces Arham Purushakar Meditation (APM) promoted by Upadhyay Shri. Praveen Rishiji from India, which could be easily performed without any rituals and may be practiced anywhere at any time.  The practice of APM meditation shows beneficial effects on improvement of clinical conditions and modulating anxiety and depression levels in patients undergoing haemodialysis and eventually may lead to improved QOL.  Key words: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), Arham Purushakar Meditation (APM), Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), Depression, Anxiety, Quality of life (QOL).