Reduced Trauma Symptoms and Perceived Stress in Male Prison Inmates through the Transcendental Meditation Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nidich, Sanford; O’Connor, Tom; Rutledge, Thomas; Duncan, Jeff; Compton, Blaze; Seng, Angela; Nidich, Randi (2016). Reduced Trauma Symptoms and Perceived Stress in Male Prison Inmates through the Transcendental Meditation Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Permanente Journal, 20(4), 16-007.
Randomized trial of 181 male inmates assigned to TM or usual care, with 144 completing four-month assessments. Self-report outcomes improved in the TM group; limitations include an inactive control and incomplete follow-up.
- Year
- 2016
- Journal
- The Permanente Journal
- Publication type
- Journal
- Paper type
- Empirical
- Section
- Rehabilitation
Findings (4)
Psychological Health
At four months, total trauma symptoms were lower with TM than usual care (p < .001; Cohen’s d = .57).
Transcendental Meditation · Randomized controlled trial
Anxiety, depression, dissociation and sleep disturbance scores were lower with TM than usual care (all p < .001).
Transcendental Meditation · Randomized controlled trial
In the subgroup with higher baseline trauma, reported effects across outcomes ranged from d = .67 to .89.
Transcendental Meditation · Randomized controlled trial
Response to Stress
Perceived stress was lower in the TM group at four months (p < .001; d = .75).
Transcendental Meditation · Randomized controlled trial