Meditating students had faster habituation to a loud tonethey were
less jumpy and irritableDr. Fred Travis Publishes Study
with American University on the
TM® technique and College Stress
A new study published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of
Psychophysiology found that students who practice the Transcendental
Meditation® technique are more resilient to the acute academic,
financial, and social pressures of college life.
"Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning
and stress reactivity in college students" is the first random
assignment study of the effects of meditation practice on brain and
physiological functioning in college students.
The study was a collaboration between the American University Department
of Psychology in Washington, DC, and the Center for Brain,
Consciousness, and Cognition at Maharishi University of Management.
The 50 subjects were randomly assigned to a group practicing the
Transcendental Meditation technique or a control group. Physiological
and psychological variables were measured at pretest, before the
students were assigned to their groups. The posttest was 10 weeks later
just before final exam week.
The control data from the study showed the detrimental effects of
college life. "The non-meditating control group had lower Brain
Integration Scale scores, and an increase in sympathetic reactivity and
sleepiness," said Dr. Travis, who directs MUM's Center for
Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition.
In contrast, the meditating students, had higher Brain Integration Scale
scores, more alertness, and faster habituation to a loud tone they
were less jumpy and irritable.
David Haaga Ph.D, professor of psychology at American University and
co-author of the study, found the outcome encouraging. "Entering a
state of restful alertness could be beneficial for the students in terms
of their ability to learn material in class and think more clearly, in
ways that any other relaxation procedure might not achieve for
them," he said.
"These results suggest that the practice of the Transcendental
Meditation technique can be of substantial value for those who face the
rigors of an intense and challenging learning/working environment,"
Dr. Travis said.
Watch video with Dr. Travis discussing his research.
