Examining randomised controlled trials exploring meditation in my review, control methods were presumptively categorized according to their face-validity into low, moderate or high face validity categories.
The low face-validity controls used strategies that were:
• Passive and unstructured: Participants were involved in minimal or no activity relating to the trial and had no interaction with researchers [...]
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The observations of previous randomised controlled trials assessing meditation could lead to three possible conclusions:
1. Meditation is in fact no more effective than other approaches to rest and relaxation. Yet meditative traditions have existed for thousands of years and at least in India, are widely perceived to have specific and unique features. In other words [...]
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In view of the seriousness of some of the reactions described above it is questionable whether all forms of meditation can be viewed as “generally safe for general consumption”. Moreover, given that recent reviews of meditation have clearly demonstrated a lack of convincing evidence for a specific effect, the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding [...]
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Meditation and its underlying ideas are increasingly popular in Western society but the practice itself has been subjected to little high quality scientific scrutiny.
This website describes the outcomes of the Meditation Research Programme, a serious scientific endeavour aimed at addressing this deficiency.
Some of our key projects, and their implications for meditation research include:
A comprehensive systematic [...]
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The failure of the proponents of meditation in the West to produce conclusive data on its specific efficacy in the health sphere (see Ospina’s definitive treatment of this issue), has been due to understandings having been largely confined to Westernised versions of the practice. Such understandings have meant that the original ideas about meditation as [...]
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Posted in general on Jun 9th, 2008
Meditation can be a simple, effective and enjoyable method to manage stress. At this unique event you will learn an evidence based form of meditation to help manage your own stress as well as that of the people you care for. This simple skill can become a lifelong asset to enhance your health & wellbeing. [...]
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Posted in general on Dec 6th, 2006
Welcome to the Meditation Research site. The aim of this site is to share with you the development of scientifically studied phenomena associated with the state of consciousness called thoughtless awareness.
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