The Efficacy of Christian Devotional Meditation on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Spiritual Health with Korean Adults in the United States: A Randomized Comparative Study

This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of Christian devotional meditation (CDM) versus progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on stress, anxiety, depression, and overall spiritual health among a sample of nonclinical Korean Christian adults in the United States. Seventy nine individuals at two churches in the northern Virginia area completed the study. At each church, the subjects were randomly assigned to a two-hour session of CDM training or PMR training. Each participant then was asked to practice the technique at home at least once a day for two weeks with audio recorded instructions. The participants\u27 perceived level of stress, anxiety, depression, and spiritual health were assessed pre- and post-training. The results of the study revealed that while both practices were efficacious in decreasing anxiety and depression, CDM was statistically more efficacious. In addition, only the CDM group showed significant reductions in stress level and improved spiritual health. Participants also appeared to practice CDM more than PMR, suggesting CDM may be a culturally appropriate adaptation in counseling to encourage treatment compliance