The effect of the transcendental meditation technique on anxiety level
Journal of Clinical Psychology October 1, 1977 DOI: 10.1002/1097-4679(197710)33:4<1076::aid-jclp2270330435>3.0.co;2-b (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | Graduate and undergraduate students |
| Interventions | Transcendental Meditation Passive relaxation |
| Duration | 2-week intervention |
| Measures | State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait scale) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Transcendental meditation Psychotherapist Transcendental number Clinical psychology Cognitive psychology Psychoanalysis Epistemology Theology |
| Citations | 48 |
| Key findings | Transcendental Meditation was significantly more effective than passive relaxation in reducing anxiety after two weeks of twice-daily practice. |
Abstract
Two weeks of twice-daily practice of the transcendental Meditation (TM) technique was compared with 2 weeks of twice-daily practice of passive relaxation as a means of reduction of anxiety, as measured by the Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Thirty-three graduate and undergraduate students were assigned randomly to a relaxation group and a TM group. After a 2-week experimental interval, the relaxation and meditation Ss, as well as between conditions of the relaxation-mediation group; TM was significantly more effective in reducing anxiety level. Thus, the anxiety-reducing effect of the practice of TM cannot be attributed merely to sitting quietly twice daily, although additional research must determine the extent to which S expectations for change contributed to this effect.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Technique on Trait Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 9, 2013
- Silent illumination: a study on Chan (Zen) meditation, anxiety, and musical performance quality Psychology of Music October 10, 2007
- Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation Program in Preventing and Treating Substance Misuse: A Review International Journal of the Addictions 1991
- The Effect of Meditation on Self-Reported Measures of Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Perfectionism in a College Population Journal of College Student Psychotherapy March 31, 2011
and 18 more in the library