Reduction of PTSD in South African University Students Using Transcendental Meditation Practice.
Carole L Bandy, Michael C. Dillbeck, Vincent Sezibera, Lian Taljaard, Mirah Wilks, David Shapiro, Jody De Reuck, Richard Peycke
Psychological Reports June 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1177/0033294119828036 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCollege students in South Africa with posttraumatic stress disorder who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique twice daily showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression compared to a control group of students who did not meditate. The benefits were linked to how regularly students practiced. The findings suggest Transcendental Meditation may serve as an alternative educational intervention for PTSD in higher education settings.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 68 |
| Population | South African college students clinically diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation technique |
| Dose | twice daily |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Transcendental meditation Education Mental health |
| Key finding | Transcendental Meditation practice twice daily significantly reduced PTSD symptomatology and depression in college students, with results associated with regularity of practice. |
Abstract
A study was conducted on South African college students using the Transcendental Meditation technique to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder. Students meeting the criteria for possible posttraumatic stress disorder were included. Thirty-four students at the experimental university in South Africa clinically diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder were instructed in and practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique twice daily compared to 34 diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder comparison students at the comparison university. The multivariate effect was significant for both the posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology and depression. Results were significantly associated with regularity of practice. The study replicates recent findings and offers an alternative educational treatment for higher education.