Effects of natural stress relief meditation on trait anxiety: a pilot study

Psychol Rep. 2007 Aug;101(1):130-4. doi: 10.2466/pr0.101.1.130-134.

Abstract

Natural Stress Relief meditation, a mental technique which is practiced for 15 minutes twice a day, aims to reduce stress and anxiety by eliciting a specific state of physiological rest along with mental alertness. The meditation is taught in a self-administered program, requiring one hour of training during the first three days, followed by the regular twice daily practice. Each 15-min. session consists in sitting quietly with closed eyes while applying a specific mental procedure. To test the effectiveness of meditation in reducing trait anxiety, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered to 25 participants four times over a 3-wk. period: one week before starting to practice the meditation, a few hours before starting, 1 wk. after, and 2 wk. after. The difference in Trait Anxiety score between pretreatment and before starting the practice was not significant, while it was significant both after the first week of practice (Cohen d=.46) and after the first 2 wk. of practice (d=.67).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meditation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome