Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
January 1, 1989
Charles N. Alexander, Ellen J. Langer, Ronnie I. Newman et al.
297 citations
Practicing the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program may improve cognitive function, mental health, and blood pressure in elderly adults, while also increasing survival rates. In a study of 73 residents of homes for the elderly (average age 81), those randomly assigned to TM showed the greatest improvement in learning, cognitive flexibility, mental health, systolic blood pressure, and ratings of behavior and aging, compared to mindfulness training, relaxation, or no treatment. The mindfulness group improved most on perceived control and word fluency. After three years, survival was 100% for the TM group and 87.5% for mindfulness, versus lower rates in the other groups.
Psychosomatic Medicine
January 1, 1998
Robert H. Schneider, Sanford Nidich, John W. Salerno et al.
95 citations
Oxidative stress, which may contribute to aging and chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, was lower in older adults who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique compared to those who did not. Long-term practitioners (average 16.5 years) had serum lipid peroxide levels 15% lower than controls, as measured by the TBARS assay. The two groups did not differ in smoking, fat intake, or vitamin supplementation, and the lower red meat consumption among meditators did not account for the difference. These preliminary results suggest that stress reduction through Transcendental Meditation may be associated with reduced oxidative stress, though prospective trials are needed to confirm a causal effect.
International Journal of the Addictions
January 1, 1991
Paul Gelderloos, Kenneth G. Walton, David W. Orme‐johnson et al.
81 citations
A review of 24 studies on Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treating and preventing substance misuse found positive effects across all studies, including those with noninstitutionalized users, treatment program participants, and prisoners with heavy use histories. While some survey studies could not exclude self-selection or responder biases, longitudinal random-assignment studies with objective measures also showed positive results. The evidence indicates TM addresses multiple factors underlying chemical dependence, offering immediate distress relief and long-term improvements in well-being, self-esteem, personal empowerment, and psychophysiological health.