The thesis evaluates on the impact of regular meditation practice on the quality of hu-man life. The theoretical part describes the historical development of meditation, meditation from the perspective of science, and the key philosophical and religious trends where the phenomenon of meditation appears. Furthermore in this part, the concept of "quality of life" is described from different angles along with addressing the correlation between meditation and quality of life. The practical part presents the qualitative re-search that analyze regular practice of meditation and its impact on quality of life of respondents.

Objectives: We meta-Analyzed the effect of meditation on blood pressure (BP), including both transcendental meditation and non-Transcendental meditation interventions. Methods: We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the BP responses to meditation interventions through a systematic literature search of the PubMed, ABI/INFORM, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases (from January 1980 to October 2015). We meta-Analyzed the change in SBP and DBP, stratified by type of meditation (transcendental meditation vs. nontranscendental meditation intervention) and by type of BP measurement [ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) vs. non-ABPM measurement]. Results: Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria. Among the studies using the ABPM measurement, the pooled SBP effect estimate was-2.49mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI):-7.51, 2.53] for transcendental meditation intervention (statistically insignificant) and-3.77mmHg (95% CI:-5.33,-2.21) for nontranscendental meditation interventions, whereas the pooled DBP effect estimate was-4.26mmHg (95% CI:-6.21,-2.31) for transcendental meditation interventions and-2.18mmHg (95% CI:-4.28,-0.09) for nontranscendental meditation interventions. Among the studies using the non-ABPM measurement, the pooled SBP effect estimate from transcendental meditation interventions was-5.57mmHg (95% CI:-7.41,-3.73) and was-5.09mmHg with non-Transcendental meditation intervention (95% CI:-6.34,-3.85), whereas the pooled effect size in DBP change for transcendental meditation interventions was-2.86mmHg (95% CI:-4.27,-1.44) and was-2.57mmHg (95% CI:-3.36,-1.79) for nontranscendental meditation interventions. Conclusion: Non-Transcendental meditation may serve as a promising alternative approach for lowering both SBP and DBP. More ABPM-measured transcendental meditation interventions might be needed to examine the benefit of transcendental meditation intervention on SBP reduction.

Mindfulness is increasingly recognized as an important phenomenon both clinically and empirically, with mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated to be efficacious across a wide variety of patient populations and disorders (i.e., Baer, 2003). Though debate regarding the exact definition of mindfulness continues, generally accepted definitions involve the common elements of intentionally directing attention toward the present moment and adopting an accepting, nonjudgmental, and/or nonreactive orientation, intent, or attitude (i.e., Baer et al., 2006; Bishop et al., 2004). Several testable predictions in the cognitive and emotional domains were derived from the operational definition of mindfulness provided by Bishop et al. (2004). Recent empirical work (i.e., Chambers, Lo, & Allen, 2008; Valentine & Sweet, 1999) has supported Bishop et al.’s predictions, providing initial validation of their operationalization of mindfulness. However, most work on the effects of meditation practice and the mindfulness construct has relied on self-report methodology. The current work transcended past research by using behavioral methods to investigate the effects of meditation practice, correlates of trait mindfulness, and validity of current conceptualizations of mindfulness. Additionally, the current work investigated relationships between meditation, mindfulness, and self-regulation using behavioral methods. This investigation was warranted as recent theoretical work suggested that increased self-control abilities may be the primary mechanism by which mindfulness-based interventions work and that higher levels of trait mindfulness may appear to be related to enhanced well-being due to the unmeasured third variable of enhanced self-regulatory abilities (Masicampo & Baumeister, 2007). Ninety-eight individuals (33 meditators, 33 age-matched nonmeditating controls, and 32 students) completed self-report and behavioral measures of attention, learning, memory, cognitive and emotional biases, and self-regulation in individual sessions. Results demonstrated that meditation practice related to few of the measured constructs, with significant group differences detected between the meditators and nonmeditators in short-term memory, long-term memory, and self-regulation only. Self-reported trait mindfulness in the nonmeditators related only to self-reported psychological well-being. These results stand in stark contrast to most of the current literature on meditation and mindfulness. The research raises more questions about the effects of meditation practice and conceptualization of mindfulness than it answers, though multiple interpretations of the data are possible.

A growing literature suggests that training in relaxation or meditation results in significant reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of a combination relaxation and meditation training program structured by the author and previously used in treatment of a broad spectrum of anxiety-related clinical problems of either a medical (somatic) or a psychological (cognitive and emotional) nature. The 20 subjects were a heterogeneous clinical group of veterans with mild hypertension who were seen at the Tucson Veterans Administration Medical Center. Volunteers were randomly assigned to either (I) an education/cognition group, (II) a three-treatment relaxation/meditation group, or (III) a six-treatment relaxation/meditation group. Blood pressure, anxiety, and stress were measured at regular intervals during training and follow up. All groups were trained over a six-week period. Both relaxation/meditation groups were taught the same skills; only the schedules for training were varied. The educational group, conceived as a control for therapist attention, was, in fact, a cognitive treatment group. Statistically significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found over time in all groups, while no difference in blood pressure reductions was found among the groups. Anxiety scores increased over time, and no correlation was found between subjective anxiety and objective blood pressure measures. Means of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower at times when subjects reported no stress. Results of this study tend to support those of previous studies, finding statistically significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time in two groups of hypertensive subjects trained in relaxation and meditation techniques. No difference was found, moreover, between these groups and an education/cognition group, suggesting that group techniques, in either significant lowering of blood pressure. This finding lends support to a multiprocess theory which suggests that all treatments have multiple effects.

Thesis advisor: Patricia A. Tabloski / This randomized pilot intervention study examined the influence of two self regulatory techniques, coherent breathing and meditation, in reducing perceived stress and anxiety scores, and increasing holistic wellness scores in college freshmen and sophomores. Too much stress is well documented throughout the literature to have adverse effects on physical, mental and spiritual health. Stress has been identified by college students as a barrier to academic performance. Both coherent breathing and meditation inhibit the secretion of stress hormone production responsible for the persistent state of sympathetic dominance experienced with daily living. A total sample of 37 Boston College freshmen and 3 sophomores was recruited for random assignment into three groups, meditation, n=14, coherent breathing n=14, and reading group as a control, n=12. The instruction of the intervention techniques was conducted through an 8 hour weekend workshop on two dates, October 2010, and September 2011. Participants were asked to practice their respective techniques daily for three weeks. All groups met once weekly throughout the duration of the study. Univariate ANOVA was conducted on pre and post test change of scores for the following instruments: Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale(PSS), Speilberger's State-Trait Anxiety Index, (STAI), and the Mind Body Spirit Wellness Behavior Characteristic Index (MBS-WBCI). The two self regulatory stress management techniques of coherent breathing and meditation demonstrated positive effects for this self selected small sample of freshmen and sophomores at Boston College. Participants of both intervention groups experienced reductions in perceived stress, state and trait anxiety scores, as well as increases in holistic wellness scores, as compared with controls. The favorable results achieved from this study strongly support future research investigations with larger samples and expanded populations. The implementation of mandatory college life skills courses incorporating these techniques could advance the potential for evaluating these techniques in a true randomized sample. The college environment provides an ideal opportunity for introducing prevention and early intervention techniques addressing mental health issues for students in their formative years. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

The focus of this study was to evaluate the psychological and psychosocial factors of a novel and composite meditation–visualization practice known as the best self visualization method (BSM). The researcher adapted and modified the BSM to work within a brief 2-week, two-session intervention period. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects on psychopathology (GAD, PHQ), resilience (PHQ, GAD, Gratitude, Compassion, DSES, Trust, Personal Growth, Mindfulness, and Social Connection), and bio-physiological changes related to EEG spectral power, coherence, and heart rate variability (BPM-Coherence). A total of 66 participants were randomized into active meditation control (n = 35) and BSM (n = 31) intervention groups. Data analysis revealed significant effects for GAD in favor of BSM psychopathology attenuation (U = 316.5, z = -1.62, p ≤ .05) as well as for the PHQ (U = 321.5, z = -1.54, p = .06). Individual t tests revealed a much more robust effect. There were no significant differences for the other scales measured except for interpersonal trust, which had a stronger effect for the BSM group, t(23) = -1.90, p = .04. For EEG and HRV data, results showed the BSM elicited significant changes in parietal gamma spectral power (F[2, 15] = 6.34, p = .010), parietal alpha blocking (F[1, 15] = 5.14, p = .039), and heart rate coherence achievement (t[28] = 1.97, p = .03), as well as demonstrated a heart rate increase trend. Paradoxically, the BSM’s bio-physiological profile was more “activating” when compared to the control, indicating psychopathology attenuation was not related necessarily to a relaxation response.

Originally derived from Eastern religions, the concept of mindfulness has been adapted and validated by psychology and medical science within recent decades. This project describes some of the religious viewpoints associated with mindfulness and its related practices, such as meditation. The primary focus however, are the forays into scientific study using validated methodology to understand what mindfulness can and cannot affect as it relates to physical and mental health. The initial studies serve as proof of concept and cover simple reductions in symptomology and suffering for conditions like anxiety and depression. The scope of mindfulness application grew as research progressed, leading to more focused studies involving the extreme stress of medical students, the lifespan of the elderly, and autobiographical memory for those in remission who had depression. Like all respectable scientific experimentation, having the ability to quantify the results and observations seen is accounted for by these studies. Furthermore, a cohesive model and adapted measurement scale are discussed to denote the clout carried by mindfulness and related practices. In closing, discussion of current research directions are given along with a re-emphasis of conclusions established in the literature.

The popularity of non-mainstream cancer treatments raises complex issues for patients and medical practitioners and it is vital to scientifically evaluate effectiveness and investigate mechanisms of action of complementary treatments. This thesis describes sociodemographic, medical and psychological characteristics of participants in The Gawler Foundation program, which incorporates meditation, social support, positive thinking and a vegetarian diet. It describes program impact in terms of: Profile of Mood States (POMS), Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) and salivary cortisol levels. Compliance with program recommendations for up to 12-months and effects on adjustment were explored. This thesis also describes the development of a scale to assess the effects of meditation. Program participants (n=112) were predominantly female, well-educated, younger in age with good social support. Over 60% reported metastatic disease and 50% had been diagnosed for over a year. Improvements in all measures were found at program completion, with Spiritual wellbeing particularly linked to improvement in quality of life (QOL). Those with higher levels of mood disturbance and lower QOL at baseline benefited more than those who were less well adjusted. Analysis of three, six, and 12-month follow-up data showed high compliance with program recommendations. Improvements seen at program completion were mostly not maintained at follow-up, although improvements from baseline were. These results suggest that the program has significant beneficial effects on adjustment but that these may not be fully maintained at follow-up, possibly due to difficulty incorporating program recommendations into everyday life and increasing disease severity. Study limitations include self-selection, high drop-out rates and lack of a control group. Initial investigation suggested that quality of meditation experience was linked to improved adjustment and this thesis describes the initial development of a scale to assess the effects of meditation, which was divided into two sections: Experiences During Meditation and Effects of Meditation in Everyday Life, and trialled on 236 participants. Scale evaluation involved factor analysis, reliability and validity analysis. The Experiences During Meditation scale had five subscales: Cognitive effects, Emotional effects, Mystical experiences, Relaxation and Physical discomfort. The Effects of Meditation in Everyday Life scale had a single factor structure, with the final scale consisting of 30 items. Construct validity was explored by assessing correlations with the measures: Perceived Control of Internal States, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, FACIT Spiritual wellbeing subscale, POMS-Short Form and Physical Symptoms Checklist. It is anticipated that the scale may be useful for clinicians and researchers and may contribute to improved understanding of the effects of meditation practices.

<p>Mindfulness i klinisk behandling är ingen enhetlig företeelse. Ett flertal sätt att definiera, operationalisera och tillämpa mindfulness samexisterar i det kliniska rummet. Syftet med denna studie var att åskådliggöra terapeuters kvalitativt varierande sätt att beskriva, använda och uppleva mindfulness i klinisk behandling och att undersöka faktorer av betydelse för dessa variationer. Elva terapeuters arbete studerades genom semistrukturerade intervjuer varpå en teoristyrd tematisk analys av intervjumaterialet genomfördes. Resultatet går i linje med den internationella forskningsdebatten och åskådliggör ett stort antal variationer av hur terapeuter beskriver, tillämpar och upplever sitt arbete med mindfulness. Beskrivningarna varierar på en bred skala, från teknik till andlighet, stresshantering till upplysning. Variationer som framkom i terapeutisk tillämpning kan delas in i tre delar; mindfulness för terapeuten, mindfulness i relation till klienten och mindfulness som intervention för klienten. Av skiftande betydelse för dessa var psykoterapeutisk inriktning, klientens problematik och egen erfarenhet av mindfulness, varav den mest inflytelserika var egen erfarenhet, i vilken utsträckning terapeuten själv utövat mindfulness och i vilken kontext.</p>

<p>Idag är de hot och påfrestningar som resulterar i stressreaktioner av en mer psykisk än fysisk karaktär, vilket medför att våra stresshanteringssystem inte är helt ändamålsenliga. Syftet var att undersöka vilka effekter fysisk träning och meditation har i stressreducerande syfte och om dessa träningsformer upplevdes skilja sig åt. Tio individer intervjuades, alla utövade någon form av fysisk träning eller meditation. Analysarbetet följde analysmetoden induktiv tematisk analys. Studien visade att den fysiska träningen och meditationen bidrog till stressreduktion samt att karaktären på stressreduktionen skilde sig åt. Den fysiska träningen gav en effektiv stressreduktion vid påtagliga stresstillstånd, medan meditation bidrog till att förändra förhållningssättet till det som stressar. Resultaten pekar på att fysisk träning och meditation är komplementära i strävan efter stressreduktion och det som verkar vara avgörande för valet av utövande är individens personlighet, situation och i vilken fas man befinner sig i livet.</p>