Impact of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique on Adrenaline and Cortisol Levels in Healthy Volunteers
Balakrishnan Vandana, Kannan Vaidyanathan, Lakshmiy Ammal Saraswathy, Karimassery Ramaiyer Sundaram, Harish Kumar
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2011 DOI: 10.1155/2011/379645 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Healthy subjects |
| Intervention | Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique (IAM) |
| Duration | 8 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 35 |
| Key findings | In the IAM group, cortisol and adrenaline levels reduced from 48 hours onward and the reduction persisted until 8 months (P < .05). Adrenaline showed a highly significant drop (P = .001) across four time points, while between-group cortisol differences were not statistically significant (P = .138). The authors conclude IAM was effective in reducing adrenaline and cortisol within group comparisons. |
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO FIND OUT THE EFFECT OF INTEGRATED AMRITA MEDITATION TECHNIQUE (IAM) ON THE STRESS HORMONES: adrenaline and cortisol. One hundred and fifty healthy subjects were randomized into three groups. Blood was collected at 0 hour, 48 hours, 2 months, and 8 months after the first visit. Adrenaline was analyzed by ELISA and cortisol by Chemiluminescent method. In the IAM, PMR and control groups 44, 44, and 36 came, respectively, for the baseline visit. Within group, cortisol and adrenaline levels reduced in the IAM 48 hours onwards and the fall sustained until 8 months (P < .05). ANCOVA (Repeated measures) on adrenaline taking the four levels of observation showed a highly significant (P = .001) drop in the IAM group. The mean cortisol values between groups were not statistically significant (P = .138). IAM Technique was effective in reducing adrenaline and cortisol levels within group comparisons.
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 10
- Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Emotion Processing Frontiers in Neuroscience October 10, 2019
- Exploring shamanic journeying: repetitive drumming with shamanic instructions induces specific subjective experiences but no larger cortisol decrease than instrumental meditation music. PLoS One July 7, 2014
- Susceptibility of Women to Cardiovascular Disease and the Prevention Potential of Mind–Body Intervention by Changes in Neural Circuits and Cardiovascular Physiology Biomolecules May 10, 2021
- The neurophysiological effects of yogic meditation observed in electroencephalography patterns and neurotransmitter levels: A narrative review of scientific evidence. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2026
- Effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique on Anxiety, Depression, and Plasma Neurotransmitters on a Healthy Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial Followed by a Case–Control Study The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 25, 2021
and 5 more in the library
Cites 10
- Physiological Effects of Transcendental Meditation Science March 27, 1970
- Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation on Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects With Coronary Heart Disease Archives of Internal Medicine June 12, 2006
- Lower Lipid Peroxide Levels in Practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation[registered sign] Program Psychosomatic Medicine 1998
- Renin, Cortisol, and Aldosterone During Transcendental Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine February 1, 1979
- Autonomic Stability and Transcendental Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 1973
and 5 more in the library