Founded by MaharishiMahesh Yogi
Founded by MaharishiThe largest research study, a meta-analysis of 61 studies with over 3,400 participants, shows Transcendental Meditation® as most effective in treating PTSD.
Researchers from Maharishi International University (MIU) and Augusta University conducted the largest review and meta-analysis to date on meditation for PTSD treatment.
The groundbreaking study compared four categories of meditation techniques: 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, which is considered 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 said that among all the four techniques, Transcendental Meditation is most effective in reducing PTSD systems.
“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,” Dr. Orme-Johnson said.
“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 traumatised during the 2019 pandemic.”
Robust Selection Criteria and Advanced Statistical Methods
This meta-analysis sets a new standard in rigour and comprehensiveness, adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
The study included longitudinal research designs such as randomised controlled trials, controlled trials, and single-group case series, ensuring a comprehensive dataset.
The researchers analysed within-group effects, which show how much PTSD changes over time due to treatment, and then directly compared different meditation techniques on this measure.
“We employed meta-regression to identify predictors of effectiveness, such as type of trauma, age, and research design,” Dr. Orme-Johnson said.
“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 Transcendental Meditation, offers a complementary approach that can enhance standard medical care, providing a natural and effective way to promote full recovery.
Dr. Vernon Barnes, Emeritus Assistant Professor, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, is the co author of the study.
“I have been teaching TM in a hospital clinic for 12 years, working with soldiers experiencing PTSD and traumatic brain injuries,” Dr. Barnes said.
“The clinic is regarded as cutting edge for the treatment of complex concussion, which includes combat-related PTSD.
“TM is one of the few interventions with benefits that can be immediately translated into improved care in military medicine.”
Co-author Brian Rees, Colonel (Ret.), Medical Corps, U.S. Army Reserve added: “TM offers a non-trauma focused modality that produces clinically significant mitigation of the symptoms of traumatic stress without the discomfort associated with psychologically demanding standard therapies.”
Implications for Active-Duty Military Members, Veterans and Beyond
The review covered a wide range of trauma populations and was well accepted. Of the individuals offered TM, 86% were willing to try it, and 92% completed the instruction and continued the twice-daily practice—a testament to its accessibility and acceptability.
“This meta-analysis surpasses previous reviews in scope and depth, making it an important resource for policymakers and healthcare providers looking to implement evidence-based PTSD interventions,” Dr. Barnes said.
The authors recommend large-scale clinical trials to further validate TM’s efficacy and to explore its integration into diverse healthcare settings. With the growing recognition of meditation as a valuable tool for mental health, this study positions TM as a vital component in the future of PTSD treatment.
Study Title and Authors
The full study, Effectiveness of Meditation Techniques in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, is published in Medicina and available online here.
Authors: David W. Orme-Johnson, PhD, Maharishi International University; Vernon A. Barnes, PhD, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University; Brian Rees, Colonel (Ret.), Medical Corps, U.S. Army Reserve; Jean Tobin, Research Liaison, Transcendental Meditation for Women; and Kenneth G. Walton, PhD, Institute for Prevention Research, Maharishi International University.
