Date of Completion

Spring 5-1-2024

Thesis Advisor(s)

Blair T. Johnson, Ph.D

Honors Major

Allied Health Sciences

Abstract

With hypertension affecting over 1.28 billion individuals globally, its prevalence continues to escalate, placing a formidable burden on public health systems and individuals. While pharmaceutical treatments for managing blood pressure exist, various factors such as cost, adverse effects, and limited accessibility can deter individuals from relying solely on medication. There is a need for nonpharmacological interventions to complement traditional approaches. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a promising alternative method, offering individuals a holistic approach to blood pressure management that addresses both physiological and psychological factors.

We meta-analyzed 33 primary studies (35 interventions) to determine the effects of TM on blood pressure response and explore baseline blood pressure as a potential moderator of change. Overall, TM groups elicited significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-4.72 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (­-3.52 mm Hg) at posttest when compared to baseline readings. Similar patterns in BP response were also observed in comparison groups. Between group analysis showed that TM mildly improved SBP (-2.21 mm Hg) compared with control groups, although results were heterogeneous. Thus, current findings indicate that TM interventions improved blood pressure but the effect is variable. Notably, participants with elevated baseline blood pressure experienced the greatest improvements across both TM and control interventions. Although TM alone may not replace medication as the primary treatment for hypertension, integrating it with medication and/or other lifestyle modifications could contribute to effective blood pressure management.

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