14 ICSA TODAY
aerobic and/or dynamic resistance exercise for the
adjuvant treatment of high BP. Bio-feedback techniques,
isometric handgrip, and device-guided breathing
methods are also likely effective treatments. There is
insufficient or inconclusive evidence at the present time
to recommend the use of the other techniques reviewed
in this scientific statement for the purposes of treating
overt hypertension or pre-hypertension.29
Note that certain methods—aerobic or dynamic resistance
exercise, biofeedback, isometric handgrip, and breathing
methods—were found to be most beneficial in enhancing
the effectiveness of medical treatment. Meditation isn’t even
mentioned as having a positive effect on hypertension.
The authors concluded that while TM and other meditations
studied did not appear to be dangerous, more and much higher
quality studies were needed to determine what, if any, impact
TM had on hypertension.
The overall evidence supports that TM modestly lowers
BP. It is not certain whether it is truly superior
to other meditation techniques in terms of BP
lowering because there are few head-to-head studies.
As a result of the paucity of data, we are unable to
recommend a specific method of practice when TM is
used for the treatment of high BP. [Bold added]30
It is important to note that the alternative approaches for
lowering blood pressure mentioned in the Michigan study were
not meant to replace, but rather to supplement, competent
medical treatment. In fact, the most important, potentially life-
saving advice that should be given to anyone with any heart
health concern is to seek medical advice. Roth doesn’t mention
that.
TM so distorted the study’s findings that Matthew Bannister,
the American Heart Association’s Executive Director of
Communications, wrote a stinging rebuke: “Unfortunately,
we have found that some in the media, and many in the TM
community, have tried to overstate our findings to promote their
own agendas.” 31
There is a tremendous danger when an organization’s primary
use for science is to sell a product. When a TM website makes the
ridiculous claim that TM has been scientifically proven not just to
lower, but to normalize blood pressure, something is very wrong,
not only with the TM organization, but also with those medical
professionals who, by their association with TM research, lend
credibility to the hype.
Additional Claims
TM.org presents TM as the intervention of choice for a variety
of other high-profile medical and psychological problems as
well. For example, “More evidence-based benefits” is a lead-in
for six problems that TM claims to benefit: posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), insomnia, depression, and
addiction. What evidence does TM present to support its claim
as a treatment of choice in addressing these problems? We have
to assume that what is presented on TM.org is the best evidence
the organization has. How strong is the evidence?
It should be noted that the TM.org website is not static, and
studies listed on the website change over time. I reviewed
studies on tm.org during July and August 2017. My analysis,
detailed in the subsections that follow, is not comprehensive,
since more studies have been listed since my initial systematic
review. My analysis will, I hope, help readers be more skeptical
and discerning about other scientific claims that TM may make.
TM and PTSD
TM’s proof of effectiveness in treating PTSD is four studies it
presents in this section. The first focuses on determining whether
three soldiers with PTSD could simply learn TM.32
The second study reported the effect of TM on PTSD in
Congolese refugees. One must question the relevance of this
population to U.S. military personnel. Additionally, the study
itself was gravely compromised. Of 102 study participants
(refugees in Kampala, Uganda) who were randomly assigned
either to the TM group or a nonmatched, wait-list control group,
30 of the 51 participants (59%) assigned to the TM group could
not attend the meetings. Subsequently, they were dropped,
leaving only 21 participants in the TM group.33
The third study was a follow-up of the 11 Congolese refugees
who were still doing TM. That meant that 80% of study
participants either stopped TM or couldn’t be located at follow-
up.34
The fourth study presented as evidence was an uncontrolled
pilot study in which researchers taught TM to five veterans with
PTSD. Once again, no conclusions on TM and PTSD are possible
from such a small sample.35
TM and ADHD
TM.org’s evidence of TM’s effect on ADHD (attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder) is an ABC television news report that
describes TM as a “solution” for ADHD that “doesn’t involve drugs”
and “may be able to replace medication.” The newscast continues
TM charges between $1,000 and
$3,000 (recently reduced from
$10,000) for Hindu prayer services
to influence and enliven Hindu
gods. … It seems these particular
gods are responsive to money.
aerobic and/or dynamic resistance exercise for the
adjuvant treatment of high BP. Bio-feedback techniques,
isometric handgrip, and device-guided breathing
methods are also likely effective treatments. There is
insufficient or inconclusive evidence at the present time
to recommend the use of the other techniques reviewed
in this scientific statement for the purposes of treating
overt hypertension or pre-hypertension.29
Note that certain methods—aerobic or dynamic resistance
exercise, biofeedback, isometric handgrip, and breathing
methods—were found to be most beneficial in enhancing
the effectiveness of medical treatment. Meditation isn’t even
mentioned as having a positive effect on hypertension.
The authors concluded that while TM and other meditations
studied did not appear to be dangerous, more and much higher
quality studies were needed to determine what, if any, impact
TM had on hypertension.
The overall evidence supports that TM modestly lowers
BP. It is not certain whether it is truly superior
to other meditation techniques in terms of BP
lowering because there are few head-to-head studies.
As a result of the paucity of data, we are unable to
recommend a specific method of practice when TM is
used for the treatment of high BP. [Bold added]30
It is important to note that the alternative approaches for
lowering blood pressure mentioned in the Michigan study were
not meant to replace, but rather to supplement, competent
medical treatment. In fact, the most important, potentially life-
saving advice that should be given to anyone with any heart
health concern is to seek medical advice. Roth doesn’t mention
that.
TM so distorted the study’s findings that Matthew Bannister,
the American Heart Association’s Executive Director of
Communications, wrote a stinging rebuke: “Unfortunately,
we have found that some in the media, and many in the TM
community, have tried to overstate our findings to promote their
own agendas.” 31
There is a tremendous danger when an organization’s primary
use for science is to sell a product. When a TM website makes the
ridiculous claim that TM has been scientifically proven not just to
lower, but to normalize blood pressure, something is very wrong,
not only with the TM organization, but also with those medical
professionals who, by their association with TM research, lend
credibility to the hype.
Additional Claims
TM.org presents TM as the intervention of choice for a variety
of other high-profile medical and psychological problems as
well. For example, “More evidence-based benefits” is a lead-in
for six problems that TM claims to benefit: posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), insomnia, depression, and
addiction. What evidence does TM present to support its claim
as a treatment of choice in addressing these problems? We have
to assume that what is presented on TM.org is the best evidence
the organization has. How strong is the evidence?
It should be noted that the TM.org website is not static, and
studies listed on the website change over time. I reviewed
studies on tm.org during July and August 2017. My analysis,
detailed in the subsections that follow, is not comprehensive,
since more studies have been listed since my initial systematic
review. My analysis will, I hope, help readers be more skeptical
and discerning about other scientific claims that TM may make.
TM and PTSD
TM’s proof of effectiveness in treating PTSD is four studies it
presents in this section. The first focuses on determining whether
three soldiers with PTSD could simply learn TM.32
The second study reported the effect of TM on PTSD in
Congolese refugees. One must question the relevance of this
population to U.S. military personnel. Additionally, the study
itself was gravely compromised. Of 102 study participants
(refugees in Kampala, Uganda) who were randomly assigned
either to the TM group or a nonmatched, wait-list control group,
30 of the 51 participants (59%) assigned to the TM group could
not attend the meetings. Subsequently, they were dropped,
leaving only 21 participants in the TM group.33
The third study was a follow-up of the 11 Congolese refugees
who were still doing TM. That meant that 80% of study
participants either stopped TM or couldn’t be located at follow-
up.34
The fourth study presented as evidence was an uncontrolled
pilot study in which researchers taught TM to five veterans with
PTSD. Once again, no conclusions on TM and PTSD are possible
from such a small sample.35
TM and ADHD
TM.org’s evidence of TM’s effect on ADHD (attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder) is an ABC television news report that
describes TM as a “solution” for ADHD that “doesn’t involve drugs”
and “may be able to replace medication.” The newscast continues
TM charges between $1,000 and
$3,000 (recently reduced from
$10,000) for Hindu prayer services
to influence and enliven Hindu
gods. … It seems these particular
gods are responsive to money.
