Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Sanford Nidich, Angela Seng, Blaze Compton, Tom O'connor, John Salerno, Randi Nidich
The Permanente Journal 2017 DOI: 10.7812/tpp/16-008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Female inmates at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility with at least 4 months left of incarceration |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Duration | 4-month intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced total trauma symptoms, intrusive thoughts, and hyperarousal in incarcerated women compared to a wait-list control group. |
Abstract
Compared with the general population, trauma experiences are higher among incarcerated women. To evaluate the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on trauma symptoms in female offenders. Twenty-two inmates at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, OR, with at least 4 months left of incarceration were enrolled in this randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the TM group (n = 11) or a wait-list control group (n = 11). Subjects were measured at baseline and 4-month posttest using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C; primary outcome) with intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal subscales (secondary outcomes). Twenty of the subjects (10 in each group) took part in their treatment assignment and completed posttesting. Significant reductions were found on total trauma (p < 0.036), intrusive thoughts (p < 0.026), and hyperarousal (p < 0.043) on the PCL-C. Effect sizes ranged from 0.65 to 0.99 for all variables. Eighty-one percent of the TM subjects were compliant with their program. The results of this study indicate feasibility of the TM program in a female prison population and suggest that TM may be an effective tool for decreasing trauma symptoms. Future large-scale research is warranted.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Effectiveness of Meditation Techniques in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) December 12, 2024
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Transcendental Meditation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) April 3, 2025
- REDUCTION IN SYMPTOMS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND DEPRESSION IN UKRAINIAN REFUGEES PRACTICING TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Clinical and Preventive Medicine April 20, 2026
- Towards therapeutic paths with mindfulness meditation–based and psychedelics assisted psychotherapies in PTSD: Randomized controlled trials systematic review and meta-analysis Cortica December 15, 2025
- Meditation in Prison The Oxford Handbook of Meditation January 13, 2021
and 11 more in the library
Cites 13
- Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors August 28, 2006
- Blood Pressure Response to Transcendental Meditation: A Meta-analysis American Journal of Hypertension February 29, 2008
- 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
- Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Stress, Depression, and Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Study The Permanente Journal January 30, 2014
- Significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms in Congolese refugees within 10 days of Transcendental Meditation practice. Journal of Traumatic Stress February 1, 2014
and 8 more in the library