Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Stress and Blood Pressure among Patients with Systemic Hypertension

This study examined the effect of Transcendental Meditation on blood pressure and stress in subjects with Systemic hypertension. The study, which used a True-Experimental design, recruited a sample of 30 subjects from a general outpatient clinic. Fifteen subjects received Transcendental Meditation training. The meditation is taught in a selfadministered program, requiring one hour of training during the first three days, followed by the regular twice daily practice. Each 15-minutes session consists in sitting quietly with closed eyes while applying a specific mental procedure practiced at home daily. The 2, 4 ,6 weeks assessments were made on stress levels, BP levels systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and Heart Rate. Transcendental Meditation training had an immediate effect, reducing pulse rate 4.02 beats/min, Stress level 0-6 score, systolic blood pressure 0-4 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure 0-3 mm Hg. After 2, 4, 6, weeks of Transcendental Meditation training, further decreases in pulse rate (0-6 beats/min), systolic blood pressure (2-9 mm Hg), and diastolic blood pressure (1-7 mm Hg) occurred. Transcendental Meditation significantly lowered patients' perception of stress (P<0.905), and it enhanced their perception of health and wellbeing. Transcendental Meditation is beneficial for patients with systemic hypertension, and nurses can use it to enhance their independent function as well as their quality of life.