Positive Health Online

Abstract

GATHRIGHT and COLLEAGUES,   1 Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. emily_gaithright@brown.edu ; 2 Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; 3 Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; 4 Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; 5 Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; 6 Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA examine the efficacy of TM to improve aspects of cardiovascular health and psychological functioning in adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

 

Background

Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a stress management technique may offer an adjunctive strategy to improve health and well-being in adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methodology

Studies (a) evaluating TM in adults with hypertension or CVD and (b) assessing a physiological or psychological outcome were retrieved and meta-analyzed. Weighted mean effect sizes were computed to assess between- and within-group changes.

Results

Nine studies met inclusion criteria (N = 851; mean age = 60 ± 8 years; 47% women). Between-group analyses revealed no differences between TM and control groups. However, within-group (i.e., pre- to post-intervention) analyses revealed reductions in systolic (d+ = 0.31) and diastolic (d+ = 0.53) blood pressure (BP) for the TM group. There were no changes in depressive symptoms for TM or control participants.

Conclusion

TM was associated with within-group (but not between-groups) improvements in BP. Continued research using randomized controlled trials with larger samples, and measuring psychophysiological outcomes at longer follow-up intervals is recommended.

References

Emily C Gathright  1 , Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher  2 , Julie DeCosta  3 , Brittany L Balletto  3 , Marissa L Donahue  3 , Melissa M Feulner  3 , Dean G Cruess  4 , Rena R Wing  5 , Michael P Carey  6 , Lori A J Scott-Sheldon  6. The impact of transcendental meditation on depressive symptoms and blood pressure in adults with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis Complement Ther Med;46:172-179. Oct 2019 . doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.009. Epub Aug 16 2019 .