Reduced health care utilisation and expenditure

A study of 2,000 people practising Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation programme in the United States found that over five years their needs for medical and surgical care were more than 50% less than the norm. Hospitalisations were markedly reduced in all 17 disease categories studied, including 87% less for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, 55% less for tumours, 73% less for respiratory problems, and 86% less for nervous system disorders. Reference: Psychosomatic Medicine 49, (1987), 493-507.

In another study, 693 individuals using Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health had 59% lower total medical expenditure over a four-year period and lower utilisation and expenditure across all age groups and for all disease categories compared with 4,148 matched controls. Hospital admission rates in the group using Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health were 11.4 times lower for cardiovascular disease than in the control group, 3.3 times lower for cancer, and 6.7 times lower for mental health and substance abuse. The greatest savings were seen among patients older than age 45 using Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health, who had 88% fewer total patient days compared to control patients. Reference: American Journal of Managed Care, 3 (1997): 135-144.

In a third study, medical expenses (physicians fees) of 599 people in Quebec fell by an average of 5%-7% per year over seven years after starting Transcendental Meditation, compared to levels for the preceding years. Reference: American Journal of Health Promotion, (1995): 10(3) 208-216.

In a further study, Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation has also been found to be more cost-effective than medication in treating hypertension. Reference: American Journal of Managed Care , 2, (1996): 427-437.

	In an analysis of health insurance data in the USA, total medical expenditure per person was reduced by more than 50% in 693 subjects using Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health compared to norms or a demographically matched control group of 4,148 subjects. American Journal of Managed Care, 3 (1997) 135-144.
Two Maharishi Ayur-Veda herbal preparations (Maharishi Amrit Kalash 4 and 5) were highly effective at inhibiting the oxidation of low density lipoprotein - a process involved in the development of coronary heart disease. The alcohol soluble extracts were over 1,000 times more potent than vitamin C or vitamin E (producing the same antioxidant effect at much lower doses). Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 43 (1992): 1175-82.

Effective prevention

Laboratory studies on herbal preparations of Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health have demonstrated powerful preventive effects against pathological processes that contribute to major diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Findings include protection against the toxic effects of free radicals, which are closely linked to ageing and as much as 80% of all major diseases. Herbal compounds of Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health have also been shown to improve immune responses and inhibit cancer growth in the laboratory.

References: Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior, 35 (1990): 767-773; European Journal of Pharmacology, 183(2), (1990): 193; Biochemical Archives, 6 (1990): 267-274; Clinica & Terapia Cardiovasculare, 8(3), (1989): 227-230; Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine, 10(3) (1991): 1-8; Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior, 39 (1991): 649-652; Indian Journal of Clinical Practice, 1(8), (1991): 23-27; Anticancer Research, 11 (1991): 209-216; Nutritional Research, 12 (1992): 51-61; Indian Journal of Clinical Practice, 2(7), (1991): 15-26; Neuropharmacology, 31 (1992): 599-607; Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids, 46, (1992): 145-150.

In an analysis of 14 studies Transcendental Meditation was found to be more effective in reducing use of tobacco than other treatments. Alcohol Treatment Quarterly, 11(1-2) (1994): 13-87.

Programmes of Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health, including herbal preparations, Transcendental Meditation, and physiological purification procedures, have been found to reduce major risk factors for disease (including heart disease and cancer). Results include reduction of high blood pressure; decreased blood cholesterol levels; reduced oxidation of fats (relevant to the prevention of heart disease); reduced use of cigarettes, alcohol, and non-prescribed drugs; normalization of weight; effective stress reduction and improved resistance to stress.

In a three month randomised study of 127 older African Americans with mild high blood pressure, Transcendental Meditation was effective in reducing blood pressure. It was twice as effective as progressive muscular relaxation. Further analysis showed that Transcendental Meditation was effective in reducing high blood pressure in all risk groups, including stress levels, physical activity, and other factors.

	A three month study showed that Transcendental Meditation was effective in reducing blood pressure in people with mildly elevated blood pressure. Transcendental Meditation was approximately twice as effective as a relaxation technique. Hypertension, 26 (1995): 820-27.
Subjects with high cholesterol levels showed a significant reduction in cholesterol after learning Transcendental Meditation as compared to controls. Journal of Human Stress, 5 (1979): 24-27.

References: Hypertension, (1995) 26: 820-827; (1996) 28: 228-237. Psychosomatic Medicine, 48 (1986): 242-248; Journal of Human Stress, 5 (1979): 24-27; Erfahrungsheil-kunde - Acta Medica Empirica - Zeitschrift für die ärztliche Praxis, 2 (1988): 720-729; Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour, 43 (1992): 1175-1182; Biochemical Archives, 8 (1992): 267-272; International Journal of the Addictions, 26(3), (1991): 293-325; Japanese Journal of Public Health, 37 (1990): 729; Journal of Counseling and Development, 64 (1985): 212-215; Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45 (1989): 957-974. Alcohol Treatment Quarterly, (1994) 11(1): 13-88, Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine, (1993) 12 (4) 2-13.

Benefits for chronic disorders

In a three-month study conducted in Holland, herbal preparations and dietary advice of Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health were given to 126 patients with ten common chronic disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, eczema, psoriasis, chronic bronchitis, chronic constipation, headaches, and diabetes mellitus). The average duration of disorder before the study was 18 years. After three months of treatment, 79% of patients showed clear improvements. Treatment was well tolerated and no toxic effects were observed.

Reference: Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Integrale Geneeskunde, 5(35), (1989): 586-594.

Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation was effective in increasing exercise tolerance in an eight month controlled study in patients with chronic angina pectoris (chest pain related to heart disease). Reference: American Journal of Cardiology, (1996): 77, 867-870.

Controlled research has also shown clinical improvements in patients with bronchial asthma. Reference: Respiration, 32 (1975): 74-80.

Statistical meta analysis of 146 independent outcomes found that Transcendental Meditation is significantly more effective in reducing trait anxiety than any other meditation or relaxation technique. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 124 (1990): 177-197.

Younger biological age and increased longevity; increased creativity and intelligence; improved memory and academic performance; improved perception and mind-body co-ordination; increased job satisfaction and performance; increased happiness and harmony in marriage.

References: International Journal of Neuroscience, 16 (1982): 53-58; Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), (1989): 950-964; Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, 12(10), (1991): 1105-1116; Memory and Cognition, 10(3), (1982): 207-215; British Journal of Educational Psychology, 55 (1985): 164-166; Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 5(3), (1990): 1-27; Experimental Neurology, 79 (1983): 77-86; International Journal of Psychosomatics, 37 (1990): 25-29; Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6(5), (1991): 189-247; Academy of Management Journal, 17 (1974): 362-368; Psychological Reports, 51 (1982): 887-890.

Twenty-four cities in which 1% of the population had been instructed in Transcendental Meditation displayed significant decreases in crime rate during the next year and decreased crime rate trend during the subsequent five years. Journal of Crime and Justice, 4(1981): 25-45.

Decreased crime, accidents, suicides, and unemployment; improved economic prosperity, social integration, and international harmony; reduced civil and international conflict.

References: Journal of Conflict Resolution, 32(4), (1988): 776-812; Journal of Conflict Resolution, 34(4), (1990): 756-868; Journal of Mind and Behavior, 8 (1987): 67-104; Social Indicators Research, 22 (1990): 399-41; Journal of Mind and Behavior, 9(4), (1988): 457-486; Journal of Crime and Justice, 4 (1981): 25-45; Social Science Perspectives Journal, 2(4), (1988): 80-94. Psychology, Crime and Law, 2(3) (1996): 165-74.

Using time series analysis, this study found a significant reduction for Canada and the United States in an economic 'misery index' - defined as the sum of monthly inflation and unemployment rates - when the number of participants in the group practice of the TM-Sidhi programme exceeded the square root of 1% of the North American population. Proceedings of the Business and Economics Statistics section, American Statistical Association, (1987): 799-804; (1988): 491-496; (1989): 565-570.

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* Introduction

* Unique solution to healthcare crisis

* New knowledge for effective healthcare

* Eliminating the root of disease

* Bringing completeness to healthcare

* Prevention-oriented healthcare

* Effective treatments

* Legislation in favour of health

* Production of healthy food

* Cost savings

* Scientific research

* Hazards of modern medicine