Robert H Schneider1, Timothy Carr2. 1. Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, Maharishi College of Perfect Health, Maharishi University of Management, Maharishi Vedic City, IA 52556, USA. 2. Maharishi Ayurveda Association of Australia, Level 5, 47 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
Abstract
Objectives: Despite advances in modern medicine, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia and globally. In a recently published scientific statement on alternative methods to lower blood pressure (BP), the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique may be considered in clinical practice to lower BP. The AHA statement also reported research that TM may reduce heart attack, stroke and death in CVD patients. This article reviews the background and associated evidence for these effects. Design and methods: Meta-analyses, systematic reviews and controlled clinical studies on the effects of TM technique on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors were reviewed and the outcomes synthesised. Results: Clinical trials indicate that the TM technique has a positive impact on pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD; risk factors for CVD including hypertension, psychosocial stress and smoking; surrogate markers for CVD; and CVD clinical events. Conclusions: The wide range of effects of TM practice on cardiovascular health suggests that the TM technique may be considered in clinical applications for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Objectives: Despite advances in modern medicine, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia and globally. In a recently published scientific statement on alternative methods to lower blood pressure (BP), the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique may be considered in clinical practice to lower BP. The AHA statement also reported research that TM may reduce heart attack, stroke and death in CVD patients. This article reviews the background and associated evidence for these effects. Design and methods: Meta-analyses, systematic reviews and controlled clinical studies on the effects of TM technique on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors were reviewed and the outcomes synthesised. Results: Clinical trials indicate that the TM technique has a positive impact on pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD; risk factors for CVD including hypertension, psychosocial stress and smoking; surrogate markers for CVD; and CVD clinical events. Conclusions: The wide range of effects of TM practice on cardiovascular health suggests that the TM technique may be considered in clinical applications for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Authors: C R MacLean; K G Walton; S R Wenneberg; D K Levitsky; J P Mandarino; R Waziri; S L Hillis; R H Schneider Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 1997-05 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: S R Wenneberg; R H Schneider; K G Walton; C R Maclean; D K Levitsky; J W Salerno; R K Wallace; J V Mandarino; M V Rainforth; R Waziri Journal: Int J Neurosci Date: 1997-01 Impact factor: 2.292
Authors: Robert D Brook; Lawrence J Appel; Melvyn Rubenfire; Gbenga Ogedegbe; John D Bisognano; William J Elliott; Flavio D Fuchs; Joel W Hughes; Daniel T Lackland; Beth A Staffileno; Raymond R Townsend; Sanjay Rajagopalan Journal: Hypertension Date: 2013-04-22 Impact factor: 10.190
Authors: Robert H Schneider; Clarence E Grim; Maxwell V Rainforth; Theodore Kotchen; Sanford I Nidich; Carolyn Gaylord-King; John W Salerno; Jane Morley Kotchen; Charles N Alexander Journal: Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes Date: 2012-11-13