Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Alternative Therapies

May 2021

Full Citation

Nidich, S., Seng, A., Compton, B., O'Connor, T., Salerno, J. W., & Nidich, R. (2017). Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study. The Permanente journal, 21, 16-008. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.7812/TPP/16-008

Abstract

CONTEXT: Compared with the general population, trauma experiences are higher among incarcerated women., OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on trauma symptoms in female offenders., DESIGN: Twenty-two inmates at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, OR, with at least 4 months left of incarceration were enrolled in this randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the TM group (n = 11) or a wait-list control group (n = 11)., MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were measured at baseline and 4-month posttest using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C; primary outcome) with intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal subscales (secondary outcomes). Twenty of the subjects (10 in each group) took part in their treatment assignment and completed posttesting., RESULTS: Significant reductions were found on total trauma (p < 0.036), intrusive thoughts (p < 0.026), and hyperarousal (p < 0.043) on the PCL-C. Effect sizes ranged from 0.65 to 0.99 for all variables. Eighty-one percent of the TM subjects were compliant with their program., CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate feasibility of the TM program in a female prison population and suggest that TM may be an effective tool for decreasing trauma symptoms. Future large-scale research is warranted.