The impact of self-knowledge and tamarkoz® meditation education in pharmacy doctoral training: A longitudinal study
Saloumeh DeGood, Sundas Azim, Naz Fatah, Shahrzad Movafagh
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications October 14, 2026 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-026-09428-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post follow-up study Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Pharmacy students enrolled in a 15-week elective course |
| Intervention | Tamarkoz meditation |
| Duration | 15-week course with five-week follow-up |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10), Self-Awareness Outcomes Questionnaire (SAOQ), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Lifestyle Questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) and three Self-Awareness Outcomes Questionnaire subscales improved significantly after the course and remained improved at five-week follow-up, while Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale scores showed no significant change. Students reported meditating more frequently and for longer after the course. The authors conclude that Sufi Psychology and Tamarkoz meditation training can improve pharmacy student self-awareness and stress levels. |
Abstract
Abstract Recent literature highlights the inadequacy of stress reduction and self-awareness skills in the professional development of healthcare students. Pharmacy educational programs report high rates of burnout and stress-related psychological impact on student well-being and academic performance. Meditative practices have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in pharmacy students. M.T.O. Sufi Psychology ® and the Tamarkoz ® meditation method are based on Sufism, a unique discipline of self-knowledge tested with college students and shown to be superior to standard stress management methods in reducing stress and improving positive emotions. This study aims to determine the effect of a 15-week Sufi Psychology and Tamarkoz elective course on pharmacy student self-awareness, perceived stress, and mindfulness. The hypothesis is that self-knowledge didactics and routine Tamarkoz practice will improve student scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10), Self-Awareness Outcomes Questionnaire (SAOQ), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and a Lifestyle Questionnaire. The course comprised mandatory weekly didactics on Sufi Psychology and meditation sessions. Pre-, post, and five-week follow-up course scores were used to evaluate the course impact. Significant improvements were found in the PSS10 and three of the SAOQ subscales, and no significant change in the MAAS scores. The lifestyle survey showed increased frequency and duration of weekly meditation practices post-course. Follow-up results confirmed the longitudinal benefits of the course in the PSS10 and the three SAOQ subscales. This study concludes that incorporating Sufi Psychology and Tamarkoz meditation skills training in the pharmacy curriculum can significantly improve student self-awareness and stress levels during pharmacy education.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Assessment of a Mindfulness Meditation Elective in an Accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy Program. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education April 2023
- Implications of Tamarkoz on stress, emotion, spirituality and heart rate. Scientific Reports July 8, 2021
- Impact of a Yoga and Meditation Intervention on Students' Stress and Anxiety Levels American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education June 1, 2019
and 1 more in the library