A meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials found that practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique, compared to control conditions, was associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure of about 4.7 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of about 3.2 mm Hg. These reductions were consistent across hypertensive groups and high-quality studies. The findings suggest that regular practice of Transcendental Meditation may produce clinically meaningful decreases in blood pressure.
A 4-month Transcendental Meditation program lowered daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure more than health education alone in African-American adolescents with high normal systolic blood pressure. The 100 participants, average age 16.2 years, were randomly assigned to meditation or control groups. Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure measurements taken before the program, at 2 and 4 months, and at a 4-month follow-up showed greater decreases in daytime systolic blood pressure in the meditation group, with a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure. These results suggest the meditation program benefits youth at risk for developing hypertension.