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Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and pathophysiological mechanisms: An evidence-based review.

Robert H Schneider, Timothy Carr

Advances in integrative medicine December 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2014.08.003 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Intervention Transcendental Meditation
Topics Meditation
Keywords Blood pressure Cardiovascular disease Coronary heart disease Hypertension Mind-body approaches Stress
Key findings Argues that the Transcendental Meditation technique may be considered in clinical applications for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, based on a synthesis of clinical trials showing positive impacts on CVD risk factors and outcomes.

Abstract

Despite advances in modern medicine, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia and globally. In a recently published scientific statement on alternative methods to lower blood pressure (BP), the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique may be considered in clinical practice to lower BP. The AHA statement also reported research that TM may reduce heart attack, stroke and death in CVD patients. This article reviews the background and associated evidence for these effects. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews and controlled clinical studies on the effects of TM technique on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors were reviewed and the outcomes synthesised. Clinical trials indicate that the TM technique has a positive impact on pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD; risk factors for CVD including hypertension, psychosocial stress and smoking; surrogate markers for CVD; and CVD clinical events. The wide range of effects of TM practice on cardiovascular health suggests that the TM technique may be considered in clinical applications for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations 2003 Review
Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects 2007 Review
Mindfulness Interventions 2016 Review
Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation 2017 Review
Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition 2005 Review

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