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Reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms in Congolese refugees practicing transcendental meditation.

Brian Rees, Fred Travis, David Shapiro, Ruth Chant

Journal of Traumatic Stress April 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21790 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Matched single-blind pilot study Peer reviewed
Sample size 21
Population Congolese refugees staying around Kampala, Uganda
Intervention Transcendental Meditation
Duration 30-day and 135-day posttests
Topics Meditation PTSD
Key points Transcendental Meditation practice was associated with a substantial reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms among Congolese refugees, with average PCL-C scores dropping from 65 at baseline to below 30 after 30 days and remaining low at 135 days.

Abstract

This matched single-blind pilot study tested the effect of Transcendental Meditation® (TM) practice on symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) in Congolese refugees. Urban refugees (N = 102) staying around Kampala, Uganda attended introductory meetings. After initial random assignment to the TM group, 30 refugees who revealed that they were unable to attend all meetings and were eliminated from the study. The remaining 21 TM group participants were then instructed in TM and matched with refugees in the control group on age, sex, and baseline scores on the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C). All participants completed the PCL-C measure of PTS symptoms at baseline, and 30-day and 135-day posttests. The PCL-C scores in the control group trended upward. In contrast, the PCL-C scores in the TM group went from 65 on average at baseline indicating severe PTS symptoms to below 30 on average after 30 days of TM practice, and remained low at 135 days. Effect size was high (d > 1.0). Compliance with TM practice was good; most reported regular practice throughout the study. There were no adverse events. All refugees who learned TM completed the study and were able to practice TM successfully, with subsequent substantial reduction in PTS symptoms.

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