Alexander, Davies, Newman et al., 1989

Alexander, C. N.; Davies, J. L.; Newman, R. I.; and Chandler, H. M. The effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive and behavioral flexibility, health, and longevity in the elderly: An experimental comparison of the Transcendental Meditation Program, mindfulness training, and relaxation. Department of Psychology and Social Relations and Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia, 1983.

The Transcendental Meditation program was found to be particularly effective in reversing declines in psychological and physiological functioning in the elderly in comparison to other treatments. Improvements were found in cognitive flexibility, word fluency, systolic blood pressure, behavioral flexibility, and mental health. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the reversal of aging brought about by the practice of Transcendental Meditation leads directly to an enhancement of longevity.

Year

1989

Publication type

Collected Papers

Paper type

Empirical

Collected Papers

Vol. 4, pp. 2295–2312

Section

Health

Findings (6)

Authors

• Charles N. Alexander, PhD

  Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

• Ronnie I. Newman, MEd

  Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

• Howard M. Chandler, BA

  Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

• John L. Davies, MAPsS

  Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia