Work

Cardiovascular disease prevention and health promotion with the transcendental meditation program and Maharishi consciousness-based health care.

Year: 2006

Type: review

Abstract: This article summarizes the background, rationale, and clinical research on a traditional system of natural health care that may be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and promotion of health. Results recently reported include reductions in blood pressure, psychosocial stress, surrogate markers for atherosclerotic CVD, and mortality. The randomized clinical trials conducted so far have involved applications to both primary and secondary prevention as well as to health promotion more generally. The results support the applicability of this approach for reducing ethnic health disparities associated with environmental and psychosocial stress. Proposed mechanisms for the effects of this traditional system include enhanced resistance to physiological and psychological stress and improvements in homeostatic and self-repair processes. This system may offer clinical and cost effectiveness advantages for health care, particularly in preventive cardiology.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Robert H Schneider, Kenneth G Walton, John W Salerno, Sanford I Nidich

Institution: Maharishi International University

Language: English

Topic: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Award: ALEXANDER CENTER FOR CAM, MINORITY AGING AND CVD