research and transcendental meditation practice fred travis, phd director, center for brain,...
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Research and Transcendental
Meditation practice
Research and Transcendental
Meditation practice Fred Travis, PhDFred Travis, PhD
Director, Center for Brain, Director, Center for Brain, Consciousness and CognitionConsciousness and Cognition
Maharishi University of ManagementMaharishi University of Management
Fairfield, IowaFairfield, Iowa
Gamma
Beta
Alpha
Theta
Delta
Problem solving,concentration
Busy, active mind
Reflective, restful
Drowsiness
Sleep, dreaming
Typical EEG Tracings
A typical EEG tracing is a rapidly changing composite or combination of different frequencies—waves moving up and down at different rates—some slow, some fast. During ordinary waking consciousness, EEG patterns are complex, scattered and disorderly.
EEG coherence during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique: brainwaves rise up and down together—maintaining a stable phase relationship—indicating that the whole brain is highly correlated. This integrated state of brain function corresponds to the subjective experience of heightened wakefulness or restful alertness. Research shows that the TM technique cultures the brain to behave more coherently and efficiently overtime, as seen in a person’s improved response to stimuli—with better performance on spatial and memory tasks, creativity scores, and reaction time tests. Such findings are not reported from other meditation practices. References: International Journal of Psychophysiology, 116, 1519-38 (2006); Biological Psychology, 61, 293-319 (2002)
Increased EEG Coherence
Eyes-Closed vs TM practiceEyes-Closed vs TM practice Raw EEG TracingRaw EEG Tracing
Eyes-Closed vs TM practiceEyes-Closed vs TM practice Raw EEG TracingRaw EEG Tracing
Task: 5 sec – 0 secTask: 5 sec – 0 secTask: 5 sec – 0 secTask: 5 sec – 0 sec
AlphaAlpha Beta Beta GammaGamma
TM: 30 sec – 35 secTM: 30 sec – 35 secTM: 30 sec – 35 secTM: 30 sec – 35 sec
AlphaAlpha Beta Beta GammaGamma
Broad Band Broad Band CoherenceCoherenceBroad Band Broad Band CoherenceCoherence
Cortical Cortical Preparatory Preparatory ResponseResponse
Cortical Cortical Preparatory Preparatory ResponseResponse
Alpha/ Alpha/ gamma ratiogamma ratioAlpha/ Alpha/ gamma ratiogamma ratio
Brain Integration ScaleBrain Integration ScaleBrain Integration ScaleBrain Integration Scale
During TM PracticeDuring TM Practice
Eight YearsFour MonthsTravis, 1991
Eyes OpenEyes Open
Eight YearsFour MonthsTravis, 1991
Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170-176.Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170-176.
American University College Students American University College Students (random assignment to groups)(random assignment to groups)American University College Students American University College Students (random assignment to groups)(random assignment to groups)
p < .001
Brain Integration during tasks (3-mon TM)
Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170-176.Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170-176.
American University College Students American University College Students (random assignment to groups)(random assignment to groups)American University College Students American University College Students (random assignment to groups)(random assignment to groups)
p < .001
Brain Integration during tasks (3-mon TM)
Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170-176.Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170-176.
American University College Students American University College Students (random assignment to groups)(random assignment to groups)American University College Students American University College Students (random assignment to groups)(random assignment to groups)
p < .001
Brain Integration during tasks (3-mon TM)
Seven Different Measures of IntelligenceSeven Different Measures of Intelligence
So Kam Tim, Orme-Johnson DW. So Kam Tim, Orme-Johnson DW. IntelligenceIntelligence 2001 29(5):419-440 2001 29(5):419-440
Increased Physiological RelaxationIncreased Physiological Relaxation Meta-analysis of 32 studiesMeta-analysis of 32 studies
Increased Physiological RelaxationIncreased Physiological Relaxation Meta-analysis of 32 studiesMeta-analysis of 32 studies
Eff
ect
Eff
ect
Siz
eS
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Dillbeck, & Orme-Johnson, (1987) American Dillbeck, & Orme-Johnson, (1987) American Psychologist, 42, 89-91.Psychologist, 42, 89-91.
Nidich et al, in prepNidich et al, (in press) Nidich et al, (in press) American Journal of American Journal of Hypertension Hypertension
Increased Self-Actualization Increased Self-Actualization Meta-analysis of 42 studiesMeta-analysis of 42 studies
Increased Self-Actualization Increased Self-Actualization Meta-analysis of 42 studiesMeta-analysis of 42 studies
Alexander et al, (1991) Journal of Social Behavior and Alexander et al, (1991) Journal of Social Behavior and Perception, 6:189-247Perception, 6:189-247
Effect Effect SizeSize
MMTMTM – M – M ctl ctl
——————————————
Pooled Pooled σσ
Israel StudyIsrael StudyIsrael StudyIsrael Study
Orme-Johnson et al, Orme-Johnson et al, Journal of Conflict ResolutionJournal of Conflict Resolution, 32(4):776-812, 32(4):776-812 1988 1988
Meta-Analysis-Collective ConsciousnessMeta-Analysis-Collective Consciousness Meta-Analysis-Collective ConsciousnessMeta-Analysis-Collective Consciousness
Davies, J.L., et al. Journal of Social Behavior & Personality, 2005 17(1):285-338