Meditation training and essential hypertension: a methodological study.
P Seer, J M Raeburn
Journal of Behavioral Medicine March 1980 DOI: 10.1007/bf00844914 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 41 |
| Population | Unmedicated hypertensive adults referred by general practitioners |
| Duration | 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Both mantra-based (SRELAX) and identical no-mantra (NSRELAX) relaxation training produced modest blood-pressure reductions compared with no-treatment controls, with diastolic percentage reductions reaching significance (p < 0.05). Mean diastolic blood pressure fell 8-10% at three-month follow-up, though individual responses varied considerably, and the two relaxation conditions were similarly effective. |
Abstract
Meditation training appears to be a promising psychological approach to the control of hypertension. However, most studies to date have had serious deficiencies. This study attempted to correct many of these deficiencies. Forty-one unmedicated hypertensives referred by general practitioners were randomly allocated to three groups. The treatment group (SRELAX) underwent training procedures based on Transcendental Meditation; a placebo control group (NSRELAX) underwent identical training but withou a mantra. Both procedures were compared with a no-treatment control group. The results showed modest reductions in blood pressure in both SRELAX and NSRELAX groups, compared with the no-treatment controls, with diastolic percentage reductions reaching significance (p < 0.05). There was considerable subject variation in response, with overall a mean decline i diastolic blood presure of 8-10% on 3-month follow-up. Possible indicators to predict the response of subjects are considered and reasons for the similarity in the effectiveness of the SRELAX and NSRELAX conditions are discussed.
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 12
- Blood Pressure Response to Transcendental Meditation: A Meta-analysis American Journal of Hypertension February 29, 2008
- Meditation for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews February 15, 2024
- Meditation as primary intervention strategy in prevention of cardiovascular diseases International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences 2016
- The Impact of Yoga and Meditation on Mental and Physical Well-being Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences July 23, 2024
- Individual differences in meditation interventions: A meta‐analytic study British Journal of Health Psychology February 27, 2022
and 7 more in the library