Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the Research on meditation practices affecting stress-related diseases. We conducted computer searches of research on meditation over the last 30 years (1979-2009), in PubMed and Japan Medical Abstracts, limiting meditation to Transcendental Meditation (TM), Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and Zen Meditation (ZM), and their efficacy in stress-related diseases such as cancer and circulatory disease. We identified 69 studies documenting effects of meditation on stress-related disease over this 30-year period. TM significantly reduced in blood pressure, alleviating hypertension and cardiovascular disease. MBSR improved immune functions and patient quality of life, and reduced chronic pain symptoms. ZM stabilized the autonomic nervous system. The results indicate that the three meditation practices can prevent or alleviate symptoms of stress-related diseases. These effects should be utilized in health promotion.
