A clinically proven technique to reduce cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: Transcendental Meditation

Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention
Maharishi University of Management, USA    Translate This Article
13 February 2009

The Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management in the United States and Maharishi College of Perfect Health in MERU, Holland, recently prepared a presentation to introduce health insurance companies to the compelling scientific evidence of the clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program:

Nonpharmacologic treatment of cardiovascular disease:
The Transcendental Meditation technique in the treatment of hypertension and coronary heart disease

Executive Summary
Recent clinical trials, other controlled studies, and meta-analyses (of all relevant studies) have identified a new non-drug treatment that leads to improved medical outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease including hypertension and coronary heart disease.

This treatment, the Transcendental Meditation program, is widely acceptable, cost effective, and free of harmful side effects. We propose that the Transcendental Meditation program be actively utilized (1) as a first-line or adjunctive non-drug therapy in high blood pressure-hypertension (HTN) and (2) in the adjunctive treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD).

We recommend that insurance companies and other third-party payers provide reimbursement for Transcendental Meditation instruction for:
1. treatment of hypertension—either as sole therapy or adjunctive to other conventional therapies
2. treatment of coronary heart disease—as part of a multifaceted program including other forms of lifestyle modification and drug therapy as indicated.

The scientific rationale for the effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program for these conditions is based on two premises:
(i) the well-established principle that stress causes, contributes to and/or exacerbates cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease, and
(ii) a large body of evidence showing that the Transcendental Meditation technique is the most effective stress-reduction technique available for cardiovascular disease patients.

Extensive scientific research has shown reductions in high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, enlarged heart size, insulin resistance, anxiety, smoking, alcohol use, and mortality.

Reducing stress, which means reducing abnormalities in the body that are the result of overload, naturally reduces the physiological and pathological consequences of chronic stress.

There are yet other reasons for insurance companies to cover this intervention. Several cost-benefit analyses indicate lower hospitalization rates, lower outpatient utilization rates and longitudinal reductions in health care costs for those who regularly practice this particular meditation technique.

Further, there are simultaneous improvements in health across a wide range of stress-related disorders.

Global Good News will feature further parts of this presentation in the coming days.

© Copyright 2009 Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention^®

Global Good News comment:

For more information on the effects of Transcendental Meditation on a wide range of health disorders, including hypertension and coronary heart disease, refer to: 'www.doctorsontm.org and www.mum.edu/inmp

For information about Maharishi's seven-point programme to create a healthy, happy, prosperous society, and a peaceful world, please visit: Global Financial Capital of New York.



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