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1.
J Nucl Cardiol ; 28(4): 1596-1607, 2021 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31529385

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress is recognized as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). High rates of CHD in African-Americans may be related to psychosocial stress. However, standard cardiac rehabilitation (CR) usually does not include a systematic stress-reduction technique. Previous studies suggest that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique may reduce CHD risk factors and clinical events. This pilot study explored the effects of standard CR with and without TM on a measure of CHD in African-American patients. METHODS: Fifty-six CHD patients were assigned to CR, CR + TM, TM alone, or usual care. Testing was done at baseline and after 12 weeks. The primary outcome was myocardial flow reserve (MFR) assessed by 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET). Secondary outcomes were CHD risk factors. Based on guidelines for analysis of small pilot studies, data were analyzed for effect size (ES). RESULTS: For 37 patients who completed posttesting, there were MFR improvements in the CR + TM group (+20.7%; ES = 0.64) and the TM group alone (+12.8%; ES = 0.36). By comparison, the CR-alone and usual care groups showed modest changes (+ 5.8%; ES = 0.17 and - 10.3%; ES = - 0.31), respectively. For the combined TM group, MFR increased (+ 14%, ES = 0.56) compared to the combined non-TM group (- 2.0%, ES = - 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data suggest that adding the TM technique to standard cardiac rehabilitation or using TM alone may improve the myocardial flow reserve in African-American CHD patients. These results may be applied to the design of controlled clinical trials to definitively test these effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration # NCT01810029.


Subject(s)
Black or African American , Cardiac Rehabilitation , Coronary Disease/physiopathology , Coronary Disease/rehabilitation , Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial/physiology , Meditation , Aged , Coronary Disease/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Positron-Emission Tomography , Stress, Psychological/ethnology , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control
2.
Ethn Dis ; 29(4): 577-586, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31641325

ABSTRACT

Background: African Americans have disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for CVD and may contribute to this disparity. Psychological stress contributes to LVH in African Americans and other populations. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique on preventing LVH in African American adults with hypertension. Setting: Martin Luther King Hospital - Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA. Method: In this trial, 85 African American adults (average 52.8 years) were randomly assigned to either TM program or health education (HE) control group and completed posttesting. Participants were tested at baseline and after six months for left ventricular mass index (LVMI) by M-mode echocardiography, blood pressure, psychosocial stress and behavioral factors. Change in outcomes was analyzed between groups by ANCOVA and within groups by paired t-test. Results: The TM group had significantly lower LVMI compared with the HE group (-7.55gm/m2, 95% CI -14.78 to -.34 gm/m2, P=.040). Both interventions showed significant within group reductions in BP, (SBP/DBP changes for TM: -5/ -3 mm Hg, and for HE: -7/-6 mm Hg, P=.028 to <.001) although between group changes were not significant. In addition, both groups showed significant reductions in anger (P=.002 to .001). There were no other changes in lifestyle factors. Conclusions: These findings indicate that stress reduction with TM was effective in preventing LVMI progression and thus may prevent LVH and associated CVD in high-risk African American patients.


Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Hypertension/therapy , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/prevention & control , Meditation , Patient Education as Topic , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , Adult , Blood Pressure , Echocardiography , Female , Humans , Hypertension/complications , Hypertension/physiopathology , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/diagnostic imaging , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/etiology , Life Style , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Single-Blind Method , Stress, Psychological/complications
3.
Health Care Women Int ; 39(7): 734-754, 2018 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29494787

ABSTRACT

Vulnerable women living in poverty in Uganda, who are primarily single, illiterate mothers, face high levels of physical and psychological stress. Our study assessed the impact of the Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique on self-efficacy, perceived stress, and mental and physical quality of life of these women. This single-blind controlled study involved 81 women who were assigned to either practice of the Transcendental Meditation program (n = 42) or wait-list (delayed start) control group (n = 39). Participants learned the Transcendental Meditation program over five sessions, then practiced at home for 20 minutes twice a day, and attended twice monthly group meetings over a 3-month period. The primary outcome measure was self-efficacy using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Perceived stress using Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, and physical and mental quality of life using subscales of the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS, HIV version) were secondary outcome measures. Significant improvements were shown in self-efficacy (p < .001), perceived stress (p < .010), and mental and physical well-being (p < .010). Compliance with TM home practice was >88%. This is the first controlled study to demonstrate the effect of TM in the daily lives of mothers living in impoverished conditions. Further questionnaires were administered to participants at 8 months and at 36 months with questions about changes they may have experienced in their daily life since starting TM. "Yes," "No" self-reported answers suggested that the women experienced improved health, improved relationships with others, and increased employment rates. These findings taken as a whole have important implications for developing self-efficacy, improving mental and physical quality of life, and reducing stress in the lives of these vulnerable women.


Subject(s)
Meditation/methods , Meditation/psychology , Mothers/psychology , Quality of Life , Self Efficacy , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Poverty , Single-Blind Method , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Uganda , Vulnerable Populations , Waiting Lists
4.
PLoS One ; 10(11): e0142689, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26571023

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: African Americans suffer from disproportionately high rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Psychosocial stress, lifestyle and telomere dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated effects of stress reduction and lifestyle modification on blood pressure, telomerase gene expression and lifestyle factors in African Americans. METHODS: Forty-eight African American men and women with stage I hypertension who participated in a larger randomized controlled trial volunteered for this substudy. These subjects participated in either stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation technique and a basic health education course (SR) or an extensive health education program (EHE) for 16 weeks. Primary outcomes were telomerase gene expression (hTERT and hTR) and clinic blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included lifestyle-related factors. Data were analyzed for within-group and between-group changes. RESULTS: Both groups showed increases in the two measures of telomerase gene expression, hTR mRNA levels (SR: p< 0.001; EHE: p< 0.001) and hTERT mRNA levels (SR: p = 0.055; EHE: p< 0.002). However, no statistically significant between-group changes were observed. Both groups showed reductions in systolic BP. Adjusted changes were SR = -5.7 mm Hg, p< 0.01; EHE = -9.0 mm Hg, p < 0.001 with no statistically significant difference between group difference. There was a significant reduction in diastolic BP in the EHE group (-5.3 mm Hg, p< 0.001) but not in SR (-1.2 mm Hg, p = 0.42); the between-group difference was significant (p = 0.04). The EHE group showed a greater number of changes in lifestyle behaviors. CONCLUSION: In this pilot trial, both stress reduction (Transcendental Meditation technique plus health education) and extensive health education groups demonstrated increased telomerase gene expression and reduced BP. The association between increased telomerase gene expression and reduced BP observed in this high-risk population suggest hypotheses that telomerase gene expression may either be a biomarker for reduced BP or a mechanism by which stress reduction and lifestyle modification reduces BP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00681200.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Health Education/methods , Hypertension/enzymology , Hypertension/therapy , Life Style , Telomerase/metabolism , Black or African American , Aged , Blood Pressure , Female , Humans , Male , Meditation , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Stress, Psychological , Treatment Outcome
5.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes ; 5(6): 750-8, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23149426

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Blacks have disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease. Psychosocial stress may contribute to this disparity. Previous trials on stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program have reported improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors, surrogate end points, and mortality in blacks and other populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a randomized, controlled trial of 201 black men and women with coronary heart disease who were randomized to the TM program or health education. The primary end point was the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary end points included the composite of cardiovascular mortality, revascularizations, and cardiovascular hospitalizations; blood pressure; psychosocial stress factors; and lifestyle behaviors. During an average follow-up of 5.4 years, there was a 48% risk reduction in the primary end point in the TM group (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.92; P=0.025). The TM group also showed a 24% risk reduction in the secondary end point (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.1.13; P=0.17). There were reductions of 4.9 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (95% confidence interval -8.3 to -1.5 mmHg; P=0.01) and anger expression (P<0.05 for all scales). Adherence was associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: A selected mind-body intervention, the TM program, significantly reduced risk for mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in coronary heart disease patients. These changes were associated with lower blood pressure and psychosocial stress factors. Therefore, this practice may be clinically useful in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov Unique identifier: NCT01299935.


Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Coronary Disease/therapy , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology , Meditation , Myocardial Infarction/prevention & control , Patient Education as Topic , Secondary Prevention/methods , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Stroke/prevention & control , Aged , Coronary Disease/ethnology , Coronary Disease/mortality , Coronary Disease/psychology , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Myocardial Infarction/ethnology , Myocardial Infarction/mortality , Myocardial Infarction/psychology , Proportional Hazards Models , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Stress, Psychological/ethnology , Stress, Psychological/mortality , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Stroke/ethnology , Stroke/mortality , Stroke/psychology , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Wisconsin/epidemiology
6.
Integr Cancer Ther ; 8(3): 228-34, 2009 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19815592

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: This single-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of the Transcendental Meditation program plus standard care as compared with standard care alone on the quality of life (QOL) of older women (>or=55 years) with stage II to IV breast cancer. One hundred and thirty women (mean age = 63.8) were randomly assigned to either experimental (n = 64) or control (n = 66) groups. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy- Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-SP), and Short-Form (SF)-36 mental health and vitality scales were administered every 6 months over an average 18-month intervention period. Significant improvements were found in the Transcendental Meditation group compared with controls in overall QOL, measured by the FACT-B total score (P = .037), emotional well-being (P = .046), and social well-being (P = .003) subscales, and SF-36 mental health ( P = .017). RESULTS: It is recommended that this stress reduction program, with its ease of implementation and home practice, be adopted in public health programs.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Meditation/psychology , Quality of Life/psychology , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/mortality , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Patient Compliance/statistics & numerical data , Sample Size , Single-Blind Method , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome
7.
Am J Hypertens ; 22(12): 1326-31, 2009 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19798037

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress contributes to the development of hypertension in young adults. This trial assessed the effects of a mind-body intervention on blood pressure (BP), psychological distress, and coping in college students. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 298 university students randomly allocated to either the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program or wait-list control. At baseline and after 3 months, BP, psychological distress, and coping ability were assessed. A subgroup of 159 subjects at risk for hypertension was analyzed similarly. RESULTS: Changes in systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) for the overall sample were -2.0/-1.2 mm Hg for the TM group compared to +0.4/+0.5 mm Hg for controls (P = 0.15, P = 0.15, respectively). Changes in SBP/DBP for the hypertension risk subgroup were -5.0/-2.8 mm Hg for the TM group compared to +1.3/+1.2 mm Hg for controls (P = 0.014, P = 0.028, respectively). Significant improvements were found in total psychological distress, anxiety, depression, anger/hostility, and coping (P values < 0.05). Changes in psychological distress and coping correlated with changes in SBP (P values < 0.05) and DBP (P values < 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first RCT to demonstrate that a selected mind-body intervention, the TM program, decreased BP in association with decreased psychological distress, and increased coping in young adults at risk for hypertension. This mind-body program may reduce the risk for future development of hypertension in young adults.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological/physiology , Blood Pressure/physiology , Meditation , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Female , Humans , Male , Relaxation Therapy , Single-Blind Method , Treatment Outcome
8.
Curr Hypertens Rep ; 9(6): 520-8, 2007 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18350109

ABSTRACT

Substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous meta-analyses of stress reduction and high blood pressure (BP) were outdated and/or methodologically limited. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review of the published literature and identified 107 studies on stress reduction and BP. Seventeen trials with 23 treatment comparisons and 960 participants with elevated BP met criteria for well-designed randomized controlled trials and were replicated within intervention categories. Meta-analysis was used to calculate BP changes for biofeedback, -0.8/-2.0 mm Hg (P = NS); relaxation-assisted biofeedback, +4.3/+2.4 mm Hg (P = NS); progressive muscle relaxation, -1.9/-1.4 mm Hg (P = NS); stress management training, -2.3/-1.3 mm (P = NS); and the Transcendental Meditation program, -5.0/-2.8 mm Hg (P = 0.002/0.02). Available evidence indicates that among stress reduction approaches, the Transcendental Meditation program is associated with significant reductions in BP. Related data suggest improvements in other CVD risk factors and clinical outcomes.


Subject(s)
Hypertension/prevention & control , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , Biofeedback, Psychology , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cardiovascular Diseases/psychology , Evidence-Based Medicine , Humans , Hypertension/psychology , Meditation
9.
Ethn Dis ; 16(3 Suppl 4): S4-15-26, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16938913

ABSTRACT

This article summarizes the background, rationale, and clinical research on a traditional system of natural health care that may be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and promotion of health. Results recently reported include reductions in blood pressure, psychosocial stress, surrogate markers for atherosclerotic CVD, and mortality. The randomized clinical trials conducted so far have involved applications to both primary and secondary prevention as well as to health promotion more generally. The results support the applicability of this approach for reducing ethnic health disparities associated with environmental and psychosocial stress. Proposed mechanisms for the effects of this traditional system include enhanced resistance to physiological and psychological stress and improvements in homeostatic and self-repair processes. This system may offer clinical and cost effectiveness advantages for health care, particularly in preventive cardiology.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Health Promotion/methods , Medicine, Ayurvedic , Meditation , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Health Care Costs , Health Promotion/economics , Humans , Phytotherapy , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Risk Factors
10.
Behav Med ; 30(4): 173-83, 2005.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15981895

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States today and a major contributor to total health care costs. Psychosocial stress has been implicated in CVD, and psychosocial approaches to primary and secondary prevention are gaining research support. This third article in the series on psychosocial stress and CVD continues the evaluation of one such approach, the Maharishi Transcendental Meditation program, a psychophysiological approach from the Vedic tradition that is systematically taught by qualified teachers throughout the world. Evidence suggests not only that this program can provide benefits in prevention but also that it may reduce CVD-related and other health care expenses. On the basis of data from the studies available to date, the Transcendental Meditation program may be responsible for reductions of 80% or greater in medical insurance claims and payments to physicians. This article evaluates the implications of research on the Transcendental Meditation program for health care policy and for large-scale clinical implementation of the program. The Transcendental Meditation program can be used by individuals of any ethnic or cultural background, and compliance with the practice regimen is generally high. The main steps necessary for wider adoption appear to be: (1) educating health care providers and patients about the nature and expected benefits of the program, and (2) adjustments in public policies at the state and national levels to allow this program to be included in private and public health insurance plans.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/therapy , Meditation , Research , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Aged , Cardiovascular Diseases/economics , Cooperative Behavior , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Culture , Female , Health Policy , Health Services/economics , Humans , Insurance, Health/economics , Male , Patient Compliance/statistics & numerical data , Psychology , Stress, Psychological/economics
11.
Am J Cardiol ; 95(9): 1060-4, 2005 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15842971

ABSTRACT

Psychosocial stress contributes to high blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous controlled studies have associated decreasing stress with the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program with lower blood pressure. The objective of the present study was to evaluate, over the long term, all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older subjects who had high blood pressure and who participated in randomized controlled trials that included the TM program and other behavioral stress-decreasing interventions. Patient data were pooled from 2 published randomized controlled trials that compared TM, other behavioral interventions, and usual therapy for high blood pressure. There were 202 subjects, including 77 whites (mean age 81 years) and 125 African-American (mean age 66 years) men and women. In these studies, average baseline blood pressure was in the prehypertensive or stage I hypertension range. Follow-up of vital status and cause of death over a maximum of 18.8 years was determined from the National Death Index. Survival analysis was used to compare intervention groups on mortality rates after adjusting for study location. Mean follow-up was 7.6 +/- 3.5 years. Compared with combined controls, the TM group showed a 23% decrease in the primary outcome of all-cause mortality after maximum follow-up (relative risk 0.77, p = 0.039). Secondary analyses showed a 30% decrease in the rate of cardiovascular mortality (relative risk 0.70, p = 0.045) and a 49% decrease in the rate of mortality due to cancer (relative risk 0.49, p = 0.16) in the TM group compared with combined controls. These results suggest that a specific stress-decreasing approach used in the prevention and control of high blood pressure, such as the TM program, may contribute to decreased mortality from all causes and cardiovascular disease in older subjects who have systemic hypertension.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality , Hypertension/therapy , Meditation , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cause of Death , Female , Humans , Hypertension/physiopathology , Male , Meta-Analysis as Topic , Middle Aged , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Risk , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome
12.
Am J Hypertens ; 18(1): 88-98, 2005 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15691622

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress has been implicated in the disproportionately higher rates of hypertension among African Americans. This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of two stress reduction techniques and a health education control program on hypertension during a period of 1 year in African-American men and women (N = 150, mean age 49 +/- 10 years, mean blood pressure (BP) = 142/95 mm Hg) at an urban community health center. METHODS: Interventions included 20 min twice a day of Transcendental Meditation (TM) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), or participation in conventional health education (HE) classes. All subjects continued usual medical care. Outcomes assessed were systolic BP and diastolic BP at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment, analyzed by repeated measures ANCOVA. RESULTS: The TM group showed decreases in systolic BP/diastolic BP of -3.1/-5.7 mm Hg compared to -0.5/-2.9 mm Hg for PMR or HE, (P = .12 to .17 for systolic BP, P = .01 for diastolic BP). In addition the TM group demonstrated reduced use of antihypertensive medication relative to increases for PMR (P = .001) and HE (P = .09) groups. Group analysis by gender showed that women practicing TM had decreased BP (-7.3/-6.9 mm Hg) significantly more than women practicing PMR (0.7/-2.7 mm Hg) or HE (-.07/-3.0 mm Hg) (P .01 to .03). The change in men praticing TM (0.2 /-4.7 mm Hg) was greater than men practicing HE (-0.9/-2.0 mm Hg) for diastolic BP only (P = .09,) and not different from PMR men (-2.0/-3.1). CONCLUSIONS: A selected stress reduction approach, the Transcendental Meditation program, may be useful as an adjunct in the long-term treatment of hypertension in African Americans.


Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Hypertension/psychology , Hypertension/therapy , Meditation , Patient Education as Topic , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Adult , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Blood Pressure , California/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Life Style , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Compliance , Sex Factors , Stress, Psychological/complications , Treatment Outcome
13.
J Aging Health ; 14(1): 57-78, 2002 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11892761

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This review focuses on a comprehensive, sophisticated system of natural medicine that appears to hold promise for prevention of chronic diseases and disabilities, loss of independence, suffering, and health care costs often associated with "usual" aging. METHODS: The authors discuss the negative impact of usual aging on our society, with its rapidly growing percentage of elderly, and the challenge of promoting "successful aging." Emphasis is given to research literature suggesting that Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM) is particularly effective in retarding usual aging. RESULTS: Proposed mechanisms for the antiaging effects of MVM include reductions in physiological and psychological stress and enhancement of homeostatic and self-repair processes. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that this set of innovative strategies may help society achieve recommended health objectives for disease prevention and health promotion in older adults and that widespread implementation of this self-empowering, prevention-oriented approach in the elderly is feasible, cost effective, and timely.


Subject(s)
Aging , Complementary Therapies , Health Promotion , Herbal Medicine , Aged , Aging/drug effects , Aging/physiology , Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cost of Illness , Health Promotion/methods , Humans , Hypertension/prevention & control , Meditation , Neurophysiology , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , Yoga
14.
Behav Med ; 28(3): 106-23, 2002.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16463759

ABSTRACT

Psychosocial stress is a nontraditional risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that may respond to behavioral or psychosocial interventions. To date, studies applying such interventions have reported a wide range of success rates in treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The authors focus on a natural medicine approach that research indicates reduces both psychosocial and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease-the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program. Randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and other controlled studies indicate this meditation technique reduces risk factors and can slow or reverse the progression of pathophysiological changes underlying cardiovascular disease. Studies with this technique have revealed reductions in blood pressure, carotid artery intima-media thickness, myocardial ischemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, mortality, and other relevant outcomes. The magnitudes of these effects compare favorably with those of conventional interventions for secondary prevention.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/physiopathology , Meditation , Phobic Disorders/therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Carotid Artery Diseases/physiopathology , Carotid Artery Diseases/prevention & control , Disease Progression , Humans , Hypertension/physiopathology , Hypertension/prevention & control , Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology , Myocardial Infarction/prevention & control , Phobic Disorders/epidemiology , Phobic Disorders/psychology , Program Development , Psychology , Risk Factors
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