Psychophysiological investigations on transcendental meditation.
A E Puente
Biofeedback and self-regulation September 1981 DOI: 10.1007/bf01000658 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial (Experiment I); observational cohort (Experiment II) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 77 |
| Population | Community volunteers (Experiment I) and experienced meditators (Experiment II) |
| Interventions | Transcendental meditation Benson's relaxation response |
| Duration | Approximately 1 week after instruction (Experiment I); not specified for Experiment II |
| Measures | Respiration rate, heart rate, electromyogram, electroencephalogram, skin conductance level |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Neither transcendental meditation, Benson's relaxation response, nor no treatment showed clear superiority in reducing tonic physiological arousal. In experienced meditators, those with 1.5 years of practice had arousal levels similar to those with over 5 years, suggesting a plateau. |
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the psychophysiological changes reported to occur during the practice of transcendental meditation. In Experiment I, 47 volunteers solicited from the community were randomly assigned to transcendental meditation (TM), Benson's relaxation response (BRR), or no treatment (NT) instruction. Respiration rate, heart rate, electromyogram, electroencephalogram, and skin conductance level were recorded during the practice of each technique, approximately 1 week after terminating instruction. The results indicate that while BRR, TM, and NT exhibited different physiological patterns, none of the techniques showed a clear superiority in reducing tonic physiological arousal. In Experiment II, 30 volunteers with previous experience were assigned to one of the three groups based on their meditating experience (range 16-96 months). The same physiological signals as in Experiment I were also recorded in this experiment during TM practice. The results suggest that individuals with 1.5 years of meditation experience exhibited physiological arousal levels similar to those seen in persons with over 5 years' experience.
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 4
- Atención plen= Mindfulness / Edupsykhé Revista de Psicología y Educación July 1, 2006
- La méditation de pleine conscience "Mindfulness" en psychothérapie et son impact sur la santé physique et psychique : vers une nouvelle prise en charge thérapeutique, l'approche MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) November 3, 2010
- Studies of advanced stages of meditation in the tibetan buddhist and vedic traditions. I: a comparison of general changes. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine December 1, 2006
- Transcendental meditation: a double-edged sword in epilepsy? Epilepsy & Behavior November 1, 2006
Cites 7
- Physiological Effects of Transcendental Meditation Science March 27, 1970
- Meditation as psychotherapy: A review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin 1975
- Sleep During Transcendental Meditation Science January 23, 1976
- Sleep during Transcendental Meditation Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 1975
- Autonomic Stability and Transcendental Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 1973
and 2 more in the library