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Study of impact of transcendental meditation on reaction time and cardiovascular parameters in young healthy volunteers

Unaiza Azmi, Neeta Iyer, Tanzeem Azmi

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences March 26, 2020 DOI: 10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20201346 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 120
Population First-year M.B.B.S and OTPT students (young healthy volunteers)
Intervention Transcendental meditation
Dose 20 minutes twice daily
Duration 16 weeks
Measures Simple Auditory Reaction Time (ART), Visual Reaction Time (VRT), Heart Rate (HR), Blood Pressure (BP)
Topics Meditation
Key findings After 16 weeks, the transcendental meditation group showed significant reductions in auditory and visual reaction times, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with controls. Auditory reaction time was shorter than visual reaction time in both groups, and this difference persisted after the intervention. The authors conclude that TM effectively reduces cardiovascular risk and can be prescribed alongside medication for pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients.

Abstract

Background: Transcendental meditation technique is purported to help treat high blood pressure, chronic pain, insomnia, and many other physical ailments. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of transcendental meditation on reaction time and cardiovascular parameters in young healthy volunteers.Methods: In this single centre, randomized, controlled study, 120 1st year M.B.B.S and OTPT students were recruited and put into two groups [control (60), experiment (60)]. Simple Auditory Reaction Time (ART) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT), along with Heart Rate (HR) and Blood Pressure (BP), of all subjects were recorded and compared. The experimental group participated in 16 weeks of TM programme and performed TM twice in a day, for 20 minutes, sitting comfortably with eyes closed and chanting OM. Control group were only made to sit with eyes closed during the same time. Keeping all the variables constant, all the parameters were measured again after 16 weeks.Results: There was significant reduction in all parameters (ART, VRT, HR, systolic BP and diastolic BP) in experimental group after 16 weeks of TM as compared to control group. ART was significantly shorter than VRT in both experimental and control groups and this difference was maintained after the intervention also.Conclusions: Transcendental meditation is an effective technique for reducing cardiovascular risk and can be prescribed to pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients for stress reduction, along with medications for better results.

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

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