A Preliminary Evaluation of the Feasibility and Efficacy of Mantra-Like Phrase Recitation in Improving Mental Health in Autistic Adults.
Rachel C Corney, Rose E Nevill, Micah O Mazurek
Advances in neurodevelopmental disorders December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s41252-023-00373-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Autistic adults |
| Intervention | secular mantra-like recitation |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotion regulation Neurodiverse Stress |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | A self-guided, online program of reciting secular mantra-like phrases significantly decreased negative emotions and increased emotion regulation in autistic adults. |
Abstract
Mantra recitation has been shown to improve emotional well-being in neurotypical individuals with mental health conditions; however, no research has explored its effect on the autistic population. The private, routine nature of mantra and mantra-like recitation may offer unique advantages for autistic individuals struggling with negative emotions and emotion regulation. The purpose of this study was therefore to conduct a preliminary study of the feasibility and efficacy of a self-guided, online program of reciting secular mantra-like phrases in improving negative emotions and cognitive coping mechanisms. This study used a pre-post, quasi-experimental design. Participants (n = 12) recited a mantra-like phrase for 30 min a day over 6 weeks. Each participant chose a secular mantra-like phrase from a predetermined list to practice exclusively throughout the session. Participants also completed two surveys each week to track their progress and practice times. Participants overall reported high feasibility, specifically acceptability and practicality of the program, and high satisfaction with study participation. At the conclusion of the program, participants reported significant decreases in negative emotions, specifically anxiety, stress, depression, and rumination, and significant increases in emotion regulation. These findings offer promise regarding the feasibility and efficacy of secular mantra-like recitation for promoting emotional wellbeing in autistic adults, based on its improvement of symptoms and use of a low-cost strategy that can be performed across settings. Self-guided programs may offer additional benefits to autistic adults given that they can be completed independently and privately within the privacy of their homes.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Smartphone Mindfulness Intervention Reduces Anxiety Symptoms and Perceived Stress in Autistic Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial Mindfulness April 8, 2025
- Mantra meditation in sport: a scoping review of its use as a mental training and coping strategy for psychological well-being. Australian Journal of Psychology 2026
Cites 10
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Effect of Mantram Repetition as Mindfulness Strategy on Psychological Wellbeing among Nurses in Psychiatric Wards International Egyptian Journal of Nursing Sciences and Research May 26, 2026
- Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health March 13, 2022
- Mantra meditation for mental health in the general population: A systematic review European Journal of Integrative Medicine October 1, 2018
- Mantra meditation programme for emergency department staff: a qualitative study. BMJ Open September 24, 2018
and 5 more in the library