Health technology assessment demonstrates efficient health promotion bu Transcendental Meditation (TM)

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Health Technology Assessment of mantrameditation implemented as Transcendental Meditation (TM) METHODS: MEDLINE contains October 2001 335 titles on 'Transcendental Meditation' including various metaanalyses and a series of randomised, controlled trials: In summary mantrameditation (TM) is evidenced to produce a wakeful, hypometabolic state (in-depth-relaxation) independent of personality or individual mantras. A general metaanalysis summarizes the long-termed meditation effects as (1) a low baseline function; (2) release of stress and anxiety empowering self-actualisation; (3) Independence of stimulantia including tobacco and alcohol; (4) Cardiologic health. RESULTS: This health promotion is explained by a cybernetic model based on 'The Limbic System'. A sample of records collected by the Internet shows significant compliance between the self-reports of TM-practitioners and controls without specific health promotion. The TM-group has a relative high level of education. TM is organized as a private, standardised dissemination of the original, Indoeuropean mantrameditation. This standardisation creates economies-of-scale 1) using local instructors with a short education, 2) centralising research aiming international medical standards and 3) marketing by international 'branding'. Participant-observations in the Danish association for TM show that a potential polarization between topmanagement and members in such a large, centralised organisation might be bridged by mutual tolerance between members of a Vedic-orientation and those with a modern, scientific standard. The economic evaluation of TM is based on the evidence of a broad health promotion 1) prolonging life-expectancy (pension years), 2)reducing health care needs and 3) reducing stress-consumption. The net value is expected to approach 0 for young people. This favours the onset of 'stressmanagement by in-depth-relaxation' for students in the midst of their education gaining QALY's free of cost. DISCUSSION: Actually, medical evidence on TM adds up to the level required for pharmaceuticals. Moreover the problem of negative side-effects is considered to be minimal for a general relaxation procedure disseminated within democratic societies. In conclusion universities are recommended to introduce alternative stressmanagement programs including TM as long-term health promotion options for students.