A study has found that the Transcendental Meditation® technique could be an effective method to reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and anger among at-risk college students.

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects approximately one-third (33%) of the US adult population. College-age individuals with blood pressure elevated beyond the optimal range are three times more likely to develop high blood pressure than those within the optimal range. Psychological distresses such as anxiety, depression, and anger/hostility have been found to contribute to the development of high blood pressure in young adults.

College students are particularly prone to psychological distress caused by interpersonal and social problems, pressures to succeed academically, financial strains, and uncertain futures. For the entire sample in this study, there was a significant improvement in students' mental health.

For the study, 298 university students were randomly allocated to either the Transcendental Meditation technique or wait-list control over a three-month intervention period. A subgroup of 159 subjects at risk for high blood pressure was analyzed separately. At baseline and after three months, blood pressure, psychological distress, and coping ability were assessed.

For the students at risk for developing high blood pressure, significant improvements were observed in blood pressure, psychological distress and coping. Compared to the control group, students practicing the Transcendental Meditation program showed reductions of 6.3 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and 4.0 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure. These reductions are associated with a 52% lower risk for development of high blood pressure in later years.

"This is the first randomized controlled study to show in young adults at risk for hypertension reductions in blood pressure that were associated with changes in psychological distress and coping," said lead author Sanford Nidich. "Previous research has shown that psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, and anger contributes to the development of hypertension in young adults".

"Hypertension is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Yet, decades of research show that high blood pressure begins in youth. This well-controlled clinical trial found that blood pressure can be effectively lowered in students with a stress-reducing intervention. This has major implications for the prevention of hypertension, heart attacks and strokes in adulthood," said study co-author Robert.
References:
1. Sanford Nidich, et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Blood Pressure, Psychological Distress, and Coping in Young Adults. American Journal of Hypertension 2009; doi:10.1038/ajh.2009.184.