Transcendental Meditation: Evidence-based Path to Reducing Effects of Trauma, Stress and Mental Health and Substance

Use Conditions•

• Jeffrey Friedman, MA – Chief Executive Officer, CN Guidance and Counseling Services

• Stuart Rothenberg, MD – National Director, Transcendental Meditation Health Professionals Association

• Jeanne Supin, MA, moderator, President, CEO Watauga Consulting

®

Enhancing Resiliency and Recovery through

Transcendental Meditation

Stuart Rothenberg, MDNational Director,

TM Health Professionals Association

TM technique: Overview

§ Introduced to the West in the late 1950s§ First published studies in 1970-1972:

Science, American Journal of Physiology, Scientific American

§ Research to date:- Over 400 peer-reviewed published

studies- NIH grant support: over $28 million

TM technique: Mechanics

§ Simple, effortless technique § Evidence-based restorative practice (not a

philosophy, religion, or belief system)§ Does not involve concentration, contemplation,

or mindfulness§ Easily added to daily routine without changes in mindset or lifestyle§ Taught by trained teachers in one-on-one

instruction

The Mind has a Vertical Structure

Conscious thoughts

Intuition

Transcending during TM

P u r e C o n s c i o u s n e s s

Fight or flight TM• Faster breathing • Decreased respiratory rate

• Faster heart rate • Decreased heart rate

• Increased blood pressure • Decreased blood pressure

• Increased muscle tension • Decreased muscle tension

• Sweaty palms • Dry palms

The Physiological Effects during TM are Opposite to Fight-or-Flight Response

Dillbeck M and Orme-Johnson D (1987). American Psychologist, 42, 879–881.

DecreasedCortisolduringTM

Jevning R, Wilson AF, Davidson JM. Adrenocortical activity during meditation. Hormones and Behavior 1978 10(1):54-60

Meditations Differ in their Effects on the EEG

Reference: Consciousness and Cognition 2010 19(4):1110-1118

Eyes Open TM PracticeEyes ClosedReferences: International Journal of Psychophysiology, 116, 1519-38 (2006); Biological Psychology, 61, 293-319 (2002); Consciousness andCognition, 8(3), 302-18 (1999); Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 35 (1973); International Journal of Neuroscience 14: 147–151, 1981.

TM Increases Alpha1 EEG Coherence

Middle

TM Increases EEG Coherence, Reflecting Integration of Brain Function

International Journal of Neuroscience 13 (1981):211-217, 15 (1981):151-157, 116 (2006): 1519-38Journal of Moral Education 12, no. 3 (1983): 166-73

Reference. K. T. So, Orme-Johnson D. W. "Three randomized experiments on the holistic longitudinal effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on cognition." Intelligence 29, no. 5 (2001): 419-440.

Effects of TM on Trait Anxiety

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

BeforeTM AfterTM

AnxietyLevel(Pe

rcen

tile)

Moderate Anxiety

High Anxiety

Orme-Johnson DW, Barnes V. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Technique on Trait Anxiety: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 20 (2013): 330-341.

Meta-Analysis of 16 RCTs

Reduced Symptoms of PTSDin War Veterans

Transcendental Meditation

-1.8 -1.6 -1.4 -1.2 -1

-0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2

0

VAMinn.,2014

Brooks,1985

VASaginaw,2014

Rosenthal,2011

Herron,2016

Kearney,2013

Bremmer,2011

Goldsmith,2014

Kearney,2011

VASyrac,2014

Effe

ct S

ize

(g)

Effect Size (g)

Mindfulness-basedStress Reduction

Effectiveness in Decreasing Alcohol UseMeta-analysis of 97 studies

TM Technique

Effect Size (Standard Deviations)0

Peer Influence

Relaxation

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Alexander, C.N., Robinson, P., & Rainforth, M. (1994). “Treating and preventing alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse through Transcendental Meditation: A review and statistical meta-analysis.” Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 11, 13–88.

DUI Programs

PreventiveEducation

EffectivenessinDecreasingCigaretteUseMeta-analysisof131studies

TM technique

Effect Size (Standard Deviations)0

UnconventionalTreatment

PharmacologicalTreatment

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Alexander, C.N., Robinson, P., & Rainforth, M. (1994). Treating and preventing alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse through Transcendental Meditation: A review and statistical meta-analysis. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 11, 13–88.

IndividualCounseling

Self-help Kits

Improved Outcomes in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment• 3-monthcontrolledtrial,n=60:TAUvs.TAU+TM• Residentialalcoholtreatmentfacility• TMuptakewashigh:85%continuedtomeditate• TMgroupreportedhighadherence,satisfaction,andperceived

helpfulnessofTM• Subjectscloselyadherenttorecommendedpractice(2xperday)

improvedsignificantlycomparedtocontrolswithrespecttoprimaryoutcomemeasures:• returntoanydrinking(25%vs59%,p=.02)• heavydrinkingfollowingdischarge(0%vs.47%,p<.001)• Significantreductioninperceivedstress,psychologicaldistress,andalcoholcraving

GryczynskiJ,RothenbergS,etal. IntegrationofTranscendentalMeditationintoalcoholusedisorder(AUD)treatment.JournalofSubstanceAbuseTreatment,April2018,87:23-30.

Reduced HypertensionMeta-Analysis of 17 Studies

-5-4-3-2-1012345

TMTechnique

ProgressiveMuscle

Relaxation

SimpleBiofeedback

Relaxation-Assisted

Biofeedback StressManagement

plus Relaxation

* * *

Bloo

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hang

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* p = .0002

* * p = .02

SBP

SBP

SBP

SBP

SBPDBP

DBP DBP

DBP

DBP

Rainforth, M. V., Schneider, R. H., Nidich, S. I., Gaylord-King, C., Salerno, J. W., Anderson, J. W. (2007). “Stress reduction programsin patients with elevated blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Current Hypertension Reports, 9 (6): 520–528.

Decreased Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Deaththrough the Transcendental Meditation technique

Schneider RH, Grim CE, Rainforth MV, et al. Stress reduction in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: randomized controlled trial of Transcendental Meditation and health education in Blacks. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 5:750-758, 2012

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practitioners of Transcendental

TranscendentalMeditation

HealthEducation

Decreased Medical Expenditures in the Elderlythrough the Transcendental Meditation technique

Medical expenditures for people over 65 decreased 14% per year after learning TM, reaching a 70% reduction relative to non-TM controls after only five years.Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 17 (2005): 415-442.

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100150200250300350400450500

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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Can

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--- TM Commenced

Years

Improved Resiliency and Prevention of Burnout for Providers

-2.83

-4.65 -5.61 -6.0

-4.0

-2.0

0.0

2.0

Controls Transcendental Meditation

Depression Perceived Stress Overall TeacherBurnout

Charles Elder MD, MPH, FACP et al, Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Burnout: A randomized controlled study. The Permanente Journal, 2014 Winter; 18(1):19-23

Mea

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Reduced Professional Burnoutthrough the Transcendental Meditation Technique

TM decreases depression, stress, and burnout in teachers

Improved Cardiovascular Reactivity During Dynamic Activity

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Pre Intervention Post Intervention

Max

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Reduced Blood Pressure During Driving

TMControl

p =.04

Barnes VA, Treiber FA, Davis H. Impact of Transcendental Meditation on cardiovascular function at rest and during acute stress in adolescents with high normal blood pressure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2001 51(4):597-605

After two months of TM practice, meditating subjects were able to drive at a higher maximum speed on a driving simulator with less elevation of blood pressure during driving compared to controls.

p =.03

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Anxiety Depression Anger Confusion Fatigue

Prof

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Pretest Posttest

p = .001 p = .001p = .001 p = .001p = .001

Decreased Mood Disturbances in Family Caregiversthrough the Transcendental Meditation Technique

Two months of regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique reduced caregivers’ anxiety by 31%, depression by 31%, anger by 36%, confusion by 19%, and fatigue by 29%.Reference: International Archives of Nursing and Health Care Perspectives 1, no. 011 (2015): 1-4.

How Do You Learn TM?

TMCOURSESTRUCTURE:FOURCONSECUTIVEDAYS

• ORIENTATION:IntroductoryTalk(1hour)• DAY1:Personalone-on-oneinstructioninTMtechnique(1.5

hours)• DAY2– DAY4:Groupfollow-upsessions(1.5hourseach)• FURTHERgroupandpersonalfollow-upmeetings/sessions

ResourcesTM Official Website:

tm.org

TM Health Professionals Association:tm.org/healthpro(844) 733-3786

David Lynch Foundation (DLF):davidlynchfoundation.org

DLF has extensive experience soliciting private funds and can partner with agencies to make specific proposals.

Questions?