Choosing Meditation to Lower High Blood Pressure? New Research Reveals Which Meditation is Most Effective

A new scientific research study conducted at theAnderson added that long-term changes in blood
University of Kentucky College of Medicinepressure of this magnitude are associated with at
provides further evidence that people with highleast a 15 percent reduction in rates of heart
blood pressure can find relief throughattack and stroke. "This is important to everyone
meditation—but the study also found that notbecause cardiovascular disease is the number one
all forms of meditation are equally effective. Thecause of death in the U.S. and worldwide,"
study compared findings from research onAnderson said. The study's biostatistician, Maxwell
several well-known types of meditation andRainforth, assistant professor of Physiology and
relaxation practices, and found that the only mindHealth Statistics at Maharishi University of
body practice that produces significant changes inManagement, said the meta-analysis used
blood pressure is the Transcendental Meditationstate-of-the-art statistical methods to review 107
technique. published studies in the field of stress reduction,
 relaxation and blood pressure. "The twenty-three
According to a definitive new meta-analysis ofseparate studies included in the final analysis met
107 previous studies on stress reductionwell-known criteria for high scientific quality. That
programs and high blood pressure, published inis, these studies used repeated blood pressure
the American Journal of Hypertension (Vol. 21, 3:measurements and participants were randomized
310-316), the Transcendental Meditation techniqueto either a stress reduction technique or
was found to produce a statistically significantplacebo-type control for at least eight weeks. The
reduction in high blood pressure—an effect notdata we used are all published in peer-reviewed
found with other forms of relaxation, meditation,scientific journals," Rainforth said. 
biofeedback or stress management.  
 Side Benefits of TM vs. side effects of drugs
Significant Reductions in Blood Pressure 
 According to Dr. Robert Schneider, director of the
The new meta-analysis reviewed randomized,Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention and
controlled trials published in peer-reviewed scientificco-author, this rigorously conducted meta-analysis
journals over the past decades concerning stressindicates that the Transcendental Meditation
reduction and relaxation methods usedtechnique is distinctively effective compared to
by participants with high blood pressure. Bloodother scientifically studied techniques in lowering
pressure changes through the Transcendentalhigh blood pressure. "For those 100 million
Meditation technique included average reductionsAmericans with elevated blood pressure, here is a
of 5.0 points of systolic and 2.8 points of diastolicscientifically documented, yet simple and easy
blood pressure, changes which were statisticallyway to lower blood pressure without drugs and
significant, according to the review.harmful side effects. In addition, related studies
These changes associated with Transcendentalshow an integrated set of positive 'side benefits,'
Meditation practice were consistent with othersuch as reduced stress, reduced heart disease
controlled studies showing reductions inlevels and longer lifespan with this technique to
cardiovascular risk factors, improved markers ofrestore balance in the cardiovascular system,
heart disease, and reduced mortality ratesmind and body," Schneider said. 
among participants in the Transcendental 
Meditation program. Overturns a previous study on meditation
  
Transcendental Meditation “equivalent toThe new meta-analysis was co-authored by
adding a second hypertensive agent”researchers at the University of Kentucky College
 of Medicine, in Louisville, and at the NIH-funded
"The magnitude of the changes in blood pressureInstitute of Natural Medicine and Prevention at
with the Transcendental Meditation technique areMaharishi University of Management in Iowa. 
at least as great as the changes found with 
major changes in diet or exercise that doctorsAccording to Dr. Anderson, the findings of this
often recommend," said Dr. James Anderson,new study rebut a July 2007 report sponsored by
principal author of the study. "Yet thethe Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Transcendental Meditation technique does notand the NIH-National Center for Complementary
require changes in lifestyle. Thus many patientsand Alternative Medicine, which concluded that
with mild hypertension or prehypertension may bemost research on meditation is low quality and
able to avoid the need to take blood pressurefound little evidence that any specific stress
medications—all of which have adverse sidereduction effectively lowers blood pressure.  
effects. Individuals with more severe forms of 
hypertension may be able to reduce the numberThe new meta-analysis identified all high quality
or dosages of their BP medications under themeditation studies published through 2006 and
guidance of their doctor.”  rigorously analyzed their results, which the
 previous government report failed to do.
Dr. Anderson stated further: “AddingAnderson said the new meta-analysis includes only
Transcendental Meditation is about equivalent tohigh quality studies on all available stress reduction
adding a second hypertensive agent to one'sinterventions. The studies on the Transcendental
current regiment, only safer and lessMeditation technique were conducted at five
troublesome.” independent universities and medical institutions,
 and the majority of them were funded by
Reduced Risk of Heart Attack and Strokecompetitive grants from the National Institutes of
 Health.