Transcendental meditation and progressive relaxation: Their psychological effects
D. A. Throll
Journal of Clinical Psychology October 1, 1981 DOI: 10.1002/1097-4679(198110)37:4<776::aid-jclp2270370415>3.0.co;2-# (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 39 |
| Population | Adults who learned either Transcendental Meditation or Progressive Relaxation |
| Interventions | Transcendental Meditation Progressive Relaxation |
| Duration | 15 weeks (retested immediately after training and at 5, 10, and 15 weeks) |
| Measures | Eysenck Personality Inventory, State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory, health and drug usage questionnaires |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Both Transcendental Meditation and Progressive Relaxation groups showed significant decreases in state and trait anxiety after training. The Transcendental Meditation group showed more comprehensive changes, with decreases in neuroticism, extraversion, and drug use, which the authors attribute mainly to greater practice time and differences between the techniques. |
Abstract
Administered the Eysenck Personality Inventory, the State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory, and two questionnaires on health and drug usage to 39 Ss before they learned Transcendental Meditation (TM) or Progressive Relaxation (PR). All Ss were tested immediately after the had learned either technique and then retested 5, 10, and 15 weeks later. There were no significant diferences between groups for any of the psychological variables at pretest. However, at posttest the TM group displayed more significant and comprehensive results (decreases in Neuroticism/Stability Extraversion/Introversion, and drug use) than did the PR group. Both groups demonstrated significant decreases in State and Trait Anxiety. The more pronounced results for meditators were explained primarily in terms of the greater amount of time that they spent on their technique, plus the differences between the two techniques themselves.
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
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- The Relevance of Meditation to Clinical Practice: An Overview Applied Psychology July 1, 1990
- Test de Autoevaluación de Meditación Transcendental: a psychometric study of Peruvian school children and adolescents Revista Innova Educación July 1, 2024
- Mantra meditation for mental health in the general population: A systematic review European Journal of Integrative Medicine October 1, 2018
Cites 6
- Meditation as psychotherapy: A review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin 1975
- Transcendental Meditation and Psychological Health Perceptual and Motor Skills October 1, 1974
- The effect of the transcendental meditation technique on anxiety level Journal of Clinical Psychology October 1, 1977
- Reactions of transcendental meditators and nonmeditators to stress films. A cognitive study. Archives of General Psychiatry December 1977
- Personality and meditation. Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1976
and 1 more in the library