Meditation as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy: An Outcome Study

Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and respiratory rate are significantly decreased during the practice of a new, easily-learned relaxation technique. The elements of the technique are a mental device to prevent distracting thoughts, a passive attitude, decreased muscle tonus, and a quiet environment which is as free of visual and auditory stimuli as possible. Sitting quietly with the eyes either open or closed failed to produce the same changes. These physiologic changes […]

The effect of a 10-week meditation program on 20 patients who were undergoing long-term individual explorative psychotherapy was studied. Change in the psychological well-being of the patients and the impact of the program on the process of their psychotherapy was evaluated. Results obtained from the patients’ self-ratings and the therapists’ objective ratings demonstrated a significant and substantial improvement in most measures of psychological well-being.

There is increasing evidence that a behavioral treatment approach might be efficacious in the treatment of the emotional aspects of infertility and may lead to increased conception rates. The first 54 women to complete a behavioral treatment program based on the elicitation of the relaxation response showed statistically significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and fatigue as well as increases in vigor. In addition, 34% of these women became pregnant within 6 months of completing […]