Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study.


Author: Nidich S1, Seng A2, Compton B3, O'connor T4, Salerno JW5, Nidich R6

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Professor and Director of the Center for Social and Emotional Health at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. snidich@mum.edu.

<sup>2</sup>Affiliated Research Associate at the Center for Social and Emotional Health at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. seng.angelak@gmail.com.

<sup>3</sup>Affiliated Research Associate at the Center for Social and Emotional Health at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. blazecompton@gmail.com.

<sup>4</sup>Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Western Oregon University in Monmouth. oconnortom@aol.com.

<sup>5</sup>Assistant Director of the Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. jsalerno@mum.edu.

<sup>6</sup>Senior Researcher at the Center for Social and Emotional Health at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. rnidich@mum.edu.
Conference/Journal: Perm J.
Date published: 2017
Other:
 Volume ID: 21   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.7812/TPP/16-008. Epub  2017 Jan 17.   ,  Word Count: 196  
    CONTEXT: Compared with the general population, trauma experiences are higher among incarcerated women.



OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on trauma symptoms in female offenders.



DESIGN: Twenty-two inmates at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, OR, with at least 4 months left of incarceration were enrolled in this randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the TM group (n = 11) or a wait-list control group (n = 11).



MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were measured at baseline and 4-month posttest using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C; primary outcome) with intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal subscales (secondary outcomes). Twenty of the subjects (10 in each group) took part in their treatment assignment and completed posttesting.



RESULTS: Significant reductions were found on total trauma (p < 0.036), intrusive thoughts (p < 0.026), and hyperarousal (p < 0.043) on the PCL-C. Effect sizes ranged from 0.65 to 0.99 for all variables. Eighty-one percent of the TM subjects were compliant with their program.



CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate feasibility of the TM program in a female prison population and suggest that TM may be an effective tool for decreasing trauma symptoms. Future large-scale research is warranted.



PMID: 28333611  DOI: 10.7812/TPP/16-008