Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students.
Fred Travis, David A F Haaga, John Hagelin, Melissa Tanner, Sanford Nidich, Carolyn Gaylord-King, Sarina Grosswald, Maxwell Rainforth, Robert H Schneider
International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology February 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.09.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | College students |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Duration | 10-week posttest |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Transcendental Meditation practice led to significant increases in Brain Integration Scale scores and reductions in sleepiness compared to a delayed-start control group. |
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial investigated effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice on Brain Integration Scale scores (broadband frontal coherence, power ratios, and preparatory brain responses), electrodermal habituation to 85-dB tones, sleepiness, heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and P300 latencies in 50 college students. After pretest, students were randomly assigned to learn TM immediately or learn after the 10-week posttest. There were no significant pretest group differences. A MANOVA of students with complete data (N=38) yielded significant group vs treatment interactions for Brain Integration Scale scores, sleepiness, and habituation rates (all p<.007). Post hoc analyses revealed significant increases in Brain Integration Scale scores for Immediate-start students but decreases in Delayed-start students; significant reductions in sleepiness in Immediate-start students with no change in Delayed-start students; and no changes in habituation rates in Immediate-start students, but significant increases in Delayed-start students. These data support the value of TM practice for college students.