Maharishi International University
A Groundbreaking Comparison of Meditation Techniques
Researchers from Maharishi International University (MIU) and Augusta University have conducted the largest review and meta-analysis to date on meditation for PTSD treatment. Analyzing 61 studies with over 3,400 participants, the study compared four categories of meditation: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Other techniques (MBO), Other Meditations (OM), and Transcendental Meditation (TM). Effect sizes for the first three categories of meditation ranged from -.52 to -.66, a moderate effect, compared to -1.13 for TM, a large effect. Results indicate that TM is significantly more effective compared to each of the other modalities. The study is published in Medicina 2024 , 60(12), 2050.
Lead author MIU Professor Emeritus Dr. David Orme-Johnson explained, "Our findings show that all meditation techniques studied can help alleviate PTSD symptoms, but TM stands out as producing the largest and most consistent reductions across diverse trauma populations. Studies show that TM works in men and women, in youth and the elderly, in war veterans and war refugees, in women survivors of interpersonal violence, in prison inmates, in tsunami and earthquake survivors, and in nurses who became traumatized during the 2019 pandemic."
Robust Selection Criteria and Advanced Statistical Methods
This meta-analysis sets a new standard in rigor and comprehensiveness, adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The study included longitudinal research designs such as randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, and single-group case series, ensuring a comprehensive dataset. The researchers analyzed within-group effects, which show how much PTSD changes over time due to treatment, and then directly compared different meditation techniques on this measure.
Dr. Orme-Johnson noted, "We employed meta-regression to identify predictors of effectiveness, such as type of trauma, age, and research design. These methods allowed us to control for all variables that influence the size of the effect, making our conclusions about differences in meditation techniques highly reliable."
A Supplementary Solution
Meditation, especially TM, offers a complementary approach that can enhance standard medical care, providing a natural and effective way to promote full recovery.Second author Dr. Vernon Barnes, Emeritus Assistant Professor, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, shared his perspective: "I’ve […]
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