Individuals with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) are often on a list of prescription medications to treat a variety of complaints including high blood pressure, high blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and high blood sugar (diabetes). In some cases these medications need to be adjusted numerous times to reach an optimal dose and result in several side effects that can lower quality of life. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine this month documented the positive effect that transcendental meditation has on certain parameters in CHD.
Researchers in Los Angeles used previous research that showed transcendental meditation could lower blood pressure to obtain funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Their study was designed to determine effects on blood pressure as well as heart rate, blood sugar and insulin levels, parameters that were not addressed in earlier studies.
A total of 53 adults with CHD enrolled in the study and practiced transcendental meditation for 16 weeks. Those results were compared to 51 other individuals with CHD who received standard health education, without meditation. Blood pressure, heart rate variability, and indicators of insulin resistance and diabetes were compared across the two groups. 84 patients completed the study.
At completion, patients in the meditation group had lower blood pressure than the control group, which supported previous studies. They also showed more stable heart rate variability and improved blood glucose and insulin levels which predict less risk for developing insulin resistance or diabetes.
The authors were proud to state that the positive effects were achieved without use of diet changes, weight loss, medication, or psychological intervention. They also state that the study proves that transcendental meditation results in definite physiological changes measurable by any doctor/researcher. The mechanism may be via a reduction in stress response.
At any rate, transcendental meditation should be a recognized treatment alternative for individuals with CHD.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 11:53 AM
