Using Transcendental Meditation to Treat Depression

by cb

Thursday, April 08, 2010 at 06:53 AM EDT

According to a report in the Independent today, a research study has shown that transcendental meditation could be effective in treating depression in older adults.

Two studies of more than 100 patients at risk of heart disease showed that those who practised the technique experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms of up to 48 per cent. Depression increases the risk of a heart attack even at moderate levels.

Sounds positive and Gary Kaplan, the associate professor of neurology at New York University is quoted as saying ‘Any technique not involving extra medication in this population is a welcome addition.'

Exactly.

The only caveat is that the research itself comes from the Maharashi University of Management in Iowa which was founded by the Maharashi Mahesh Yogi. Hmm. Although the article explains other universities were also involved in the research study, I wonder if that is enough to allay the feelings of bias. It seems all a little too convenient.

But I doubt very much it does harm and may well be useful but I wonder if it is a general meditation and well-being/awareness kind of use -- which may be cheaper to provide -- or something that is particular only to transcendental meditation which would require specifically trained practitioners -- at no small cost... especially as there have been concerns (as is raised in the Independent article) about the cost of training processes.