Effect of mindfulness meditation on A1C levels in African American females with Type 2 diabetes

This study investigates the effect of mindfulness meditation on A1C levels in female African Americans with Type 2 diabetes. Participants that were included in this research were managed by diet or were on oral hypoglycemic medication. Using pre- and post-measures of A1C, weight, and completion of a stress questionnaire, participants were engaged in this research for a total of 17 weeks that included eight consecutive weeks of mindfulness meditation classes. Classes were held weekly and lasted for one hour. Participants were required to meditate for 30–45 minutes each day and recorded minutes of meditation on log sheets. There was no standard established as to how and where each participant chose to meditate. Eighteen women completed the project. There were no significant findings associated with mindfulness meditation and A1C levels, and this may be due to the small number of participants. Those individuals who entered the study with a high degree of stress were found to have significant weight loss following the mindfulness classes. Many positive physiological findings were reported, which included less irritability, decrease in blood pressure, deeper and more restful sleep, clarity of thought, and decreased subjective stress.