Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention

Selected Publications

Many of these published studies have received wide-scale media coverage in hundreds of newspaper, magazine articles, and television and radio shows.

Schneider R, Grim C, Rainforth M, Kotchen T, Nidich S, Gaylord-King C, Salerno J, Morley Kotchen J, Alexander C. Stress Reduction in the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation and Health Education in Blacks. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 5:750-758, 2012 Full Article

Orme-Johnson D., Barnes V., Schneider R.H. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Clinical Events, in Heart & Mind: the Practice of Cardiac Psychology, second edition, R. Allan & J. Fisher, Eds. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC, 2012.

Haaga D., Grosswald S., Gaylord-King C., Rainforth M., Tanner M., Travis F., Nidich S., Schneider R.H. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Substance Use Among University Students. Cardiology Research and Practice, 2011:537101, 2011 Full article

Travis F., Haaga A., Hagelin J., Tanner M., Arenander A., Nidich S., Gaylord-King C., Grosswald S., Rainforth M., Schneider R.H. A Self-referential Default Brain State: Patterns of Coherence, Power, and eLORETA Sources During Eyes-closed Rest and Transcendental Meditation Practice. Cognitive Processing, 11:21–30, 2010. Abstract

Nidich S., Rainforth M., Haaga D., Hagelin J., Salerno J., Travis F., Tanner M., Gaylord- King C., Grosswald S., Schneider R. H. A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Blood Pressure, Psychological Distress, and Coping in Young Adults. American Journal of Hypertension, 22(12):1326-31, 2009 Full article

Nidich S., Fields J., Rainforth M., Pomerantz R., Cella D., Kristeller J., Salerno J., Schneider R.H. A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Transcendental Meditation on Quality of Life in Older Breast Cancer Patients. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 8(3):228-234, 2009. Abstract

Tanner M., Travis F., Gaylord-King C., Haaga D., Grosswald S., Schneider R.H. The Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Mindfulness.  Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(6):574-89, 2009. Abstract

Travis F., Haaga D., Hagelin J., Tanner M., Nidich S., Gaylord-King C., Grosswald S., Rainforth M., Schneider R.H. Effects of Transcendental Meditation Practice on Brain Functioning and Stress Reactivity in College Students. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71(2):170-6, 2009. Abstract

Rainforth M., Schneider R.H., Nidich S., King C., Salerno J., Anderson J. Stress Reduction Programs in Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Current Hypertension Reports, 9(6):520-8, 2007. Abstract

Jayadevappa R., Johnson J., Bloom B., Nidich S., Desa S., Chhatre S., Razian D., Schneider R.H. Effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life of African Americans with Congestive Heart Failure: A Randomized Control Study. Ethnicity and Disease, 17:72-77, 2007. Abstract

Orme-Johnson D., Schneider R.H., Son Y., Nidich S., Cho Z. Neuroimaging of Meditation’s Effect on Brain Reactivity to Pain.  NeuroReport, 17(12):1359-63, 2006. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Walton K., Salerno J., Nidich S. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Health Promotion with the Transcendental Meditation Program and Maharishi Consciousness-Based Health Care.  Ethnicity & Disease 16(3 Suppl 4):S4-15-26, 2006. Abstract

Paul-Labrador M., Polk D., Dwyer J., Velasquez I., Nidich S., Rainforth M., Schneider R.H., Bairey Merz C. Effects of Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation on Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects with Coronary Heart Disease.  Archives of Internal Medicine, 166:1218-1224, 2006. Abstract

Walton K., Schneider R.H., Salerno J., Nidich S. Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Disease 3: Clinical and Policy Implications of Research on the Transcendental Meditation Program.  Behavioral Medicine, 30(4):173-83, 2005. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Staggers F., Rainforth M., Salerno J., Hartz A., Arndt S., Barnes V., Nidich S. Long-term Effects of Stress Reduction on Mortality in Persons ≥ 55 Years of Age with Systemic Hypertension.  American Journal of Cardiology, 95:1060-1064, 2005. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Staggers F., Orme-Johnson D., Rainforth M., Salerno J., Sheppard W., Castillo-Richmond A., Barnes V., Nidich S.  A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stress Reduction in African Americans Treated for Hypertension Over One Year.  American Journal of Hypertension, 18:88-98, 2005. Abstract

Nidich S., Schneider R.H., Nidich R., Foster G., Sharma H., Salerno J., Goodman R., Alexander C. Effect of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Intellectual Development in Community-dwelling Older Adults.  Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17:217-226, 2005.

Nidich S., Nidich R., Sands D., Schneider R.H., Sharma H., Barnes V., Jossang S., Smith D. Maharishi Rejuvenation Program and Speed of Processing Ability. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17:565-570, 2005.

Kondwani K., Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Sledge C., Staggers F., Clayborne B., Sheppard W., Rainforth M., Krouse L., Orme-Johnson D.  Left Ventricular Mass Regression with the Transcendental Meditation Technique and a Health Education Program in Hypertensive African Americans. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17:181-200, 2005.

Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Salerno J., Rainforth M., Nidich S. Stress Reduction in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in High Risk Underserved Populations: A Review of Controlled Research on the Transcendental Meditation Program.  Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17:159-180, 2005.

Barnes V., Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Rainforth M., Salerno J., Kondwani K., Staggers F. Impact of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Mortality in Older African Americans with Hypertension — Eight-year Follow Up.  Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17:201-216, 2005.

Walton K., Schneider R. H., Nidich S. Review of Controlled Clinical Research on the Transcendental Meditation Program and Cardiovascular Disease: Risk Factors, Morbidity, and Mortality. Cardiology in Review, 12(5):262-266, 2004. Abstract

Walton K., Fields J., Levitsky D., Harris D., Pugh N., Schneider R.H. Lowering Cortisol and CVD Risk in Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study Using the Transcendental Meditation Program.  Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1032:211-5, 2004. Abstract

Nidich S., Grandinetti A., Schneider R.H., Chang H., Ricketts L., Toomey M.  The Transcendental Meditation Program and Cardiovascular Disease in Native Hawaiians. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55:144-145, 2003.

Nidich S., Schneider R.H., Fields J., Rainforth M. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Emotional Well-being in Elderly Breast Cancer Patients: Preliminary Results from a Randomized Controlled Study.  Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55:153-154, 2003.

Nidich R., Nidich S., Schneider R.H. The Transcendental Meditation Program and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study.  Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55:153, 2003.

28Schneider R.H., Salerno J., Nidich S. Future Trends in Use — Focus in a Traditional System of Natural Medicine.  In Cherniak N., Cherniak P. (Eds.)  Alternative Medicine and the Elderly, New York:  Springer-Verlag, 73-87, 2003.

Walton K., Schneider R.H., Nidich S., Salerno J., Nordstrom C., Bairey Merz C.  Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Disease 2: Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation Program in Treatment and Prevention.  Behavioral Medicine, 28:106-123, 2002. Abstract

Bairey Merz C., Dwyer J., Nordstrom C., Walton K., Salerno J., Schneider R.H.  Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Part I: Pathophysiological Links. Behavioral Medicine, 27:141-146, 2002.

Fields J., Walton K., Schneider R.H., Nidich S., Pomerantz R., Suchdev P., Castillo-Richmond A., Payne K., Clark E., Rainforth M.  Effect of a Multimodality Natural Medicine Program on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Older Subjects: A Pilot Trial of Maharishi Vedic Medicine.  American Journal of Cardiology, 89:952-958, 2002. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Salerno J., Robinson D., Fields J., Nidich S. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in the Aging with a Traditional System of Natural Medicine: Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM). Journal of Aging and Health, 14(1):57-78, 2002. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Castillo‑Richmond A., Alexander C., Meyers H., Kaushik V., Aranguri C., Norris K., Haney C., Rainforth M., Calderon R., Nidich S.  Behavioral Treatment of Hypertensive Heart Disease in African Americans: Rationale and Design of a  Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavioral Medicine, 27:83-95, 2001. Abstract

Nidich S., Schneider R.H., Nidich R., Rainforth M., Scharf D., Salerno J., Smith D., Dillbeck M., Nader T.  Effect of Maharishi Vedic Vibration Technology on Chronic Disorders and Associated Quality of Life.  Frontiers in Bioscience, 6:h1-h6, 2001. Abstract

Nader T., Smith D., Dillbeck M., Schanbacher V., Dillbeck S., Gallois P., Beall-Rougerie S., Schneider R.H., Nidich S., Kaplan G., Belok S.  A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Maharishi Vedic Vibration Technology in Subjects With Arthritis. Frontiers in Bioscience, 6:h7-h17, 2001. Abstract

Nader T., Rothenberg S., Averbach R., Charles B., Fields J., Schneider R.H.  Improvements in Chronic Diseases With a Comprehensive Natural Medicine Approach:  A Review and Case Series.  Behavioral Medicine, 26(I):34-46, 2000. Full article

Castillo‑Richmond A., Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Cook R., Meyers H., Haney C., Rainforth M., Salerno J.  Effects of Stress Reduction and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive African Americans. Stroke, 31:568-573, 2000. Full article

Calderon R., Schneider R.H., Alexander C., Meyers H. Stress, Stress Reduction and Hypercholesterolemia in African Americans. Ethnicity and Disease, 9:451-462, 1999. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Nidich S., Salerno J., Sharma H., Robinson C., Nidich R., Alexander C. Lower Lipid Peroxide Levels in Practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation Program. Psychosomatic Medicine, 60:38‑41, 1998. Full article

Schneider R.H., Charles B., Sands D., Grace D., Averbach R., Rothenberg S. The Significance of the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health for Modern Health Care and Medical Education.  Modern Science and Vedic Science, 7(1):299‑315, 1997.

MacLean C., Walton K., Wenneberg S., Levitsky D., Mandarino J., Waziri R., Hillis S., Schneider R.H.  Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program Adaptive Mechanisms:  Altered Endocrine Responses to Stress After Four Months of Practice. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 22(4):277‑295, 1997. Full article   

Barnes V., Schneider R.H., Alexander C. Stress, Stress Reduction and Hypertension in African Americans:  An Updated Review. Journal of the National Medical Association, 89(7):464‑476, 1997. Full article

Wenneberg S.R., Schneider R.H., Walton K.G., MacLean C., Levitsky D., Mandarino J., Rainforth M., Salerno J., Waziri R., Wallace R.K. A Controlled Study of the Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Reactivity.  International Journal of Neuroscience, 89:15‑28, 1997. Abstract

Wenneberg S.R., Schneider R.H., Walton K.G., MacLean C., Levitsky D., Mandarino J., Waziri R., Wallace R.K. Anger Expression Correlates with Platelet Aggregation. Behavioral Medicine, 22:174‑177, 1997. Abstract

Alexander C.N., Schneider R.H., Claybourne M., Sheppard W., Staggers F., Rainforth M., Salerno J., Kondwani K., Smith S., Walton K.G., Egan B.  A Trial of Stress Reduction for Hypertension in Older African Americans II. Sex and Risk Subgroup Analysis.  Hypertension, 28(2): 228‑237, 1996. Full article

Zamarra J.W., Schneider R.H., Besseghini I., Robinson D., Salerno J. Usefulness of the Transcendental Meditation Program in the Treatment of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. American Journal of Cardiology, 77:867‑870, 1996. Abstract

Herron R.E., Schneider R.H., Mandarino J.V., Alexander C.N., Walton K.G.  Cost‑Effective Hypertension Management: Comparison of Drug Therapies With an Alternative Program. Journal of Managed Care, 2(4):427‑437, 1996. 

Schneider R.H., Staggers F., Alexander C.N., Sheppard W., Rainforth M., Kondwani K., Smith S., King C. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stress Reduction for Hypertension in Older African Americans.  Hypertension, 26:820‑827, 1995. Full Article

MacLean C., Walton K.G., Wenneberg S., Levitsky D., Mandarino J., Waziri R., Schneider R.H. Altered Responses of Cortisol, GH, TSH and Testosterone to Acute Stress after Four Months’ Practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM).  Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 746:381‑384, 1994.

Alexander C.N., Robinson P., Orme‑Johnson D., Schneider R.H., Walton K. Effects of Transcendental Meditation Compared to Other Methods of Relaxation and Meditation in Reducing Risk Factors, Morbidity, and Mortality. Homeostasis, 35 (4‑5): 243‑264, 1994.

Schneider R.H., Alexander C.N., Wallace R.K. In Search of an Optimal Behavioral Treatment for Hypertension: A Review and Focus on Transcendental Meditation, in Johnson E.H., Gentry W.D., Julius S. (Eds.), Personality, Elevated Blood Pressure, and Essential Hypertension. Washington: Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, 291‑318, 1992.

Schneider R.H., Cavanaugh K., Rothenberg S., Averbach R., Robinson D., Wallace R.K. Health Promotion With a Traditional System of Natural Medicine:  Maharishi Ayur‑Veda.  Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 5 (3):1‑27, 1990.

Mills P.M., Schneider R.H., Hill D., Walton K., Wallace R.K. Beta Adrenergic Receptor Sensitivity in Transcendental Meditation Practitioners and Controls. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 34 (1):29‑33, 1990. Abstract

Mills P.J., Schneider R.H., Dimsdale J.  Anger Assessment and Reactivity to Stress. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 33 (3): 379‑382, 1989. Abstract

Schneider R.H., Cavanaugh W., Boncheff S. Cost Reductions Through Better Health:  Transcendental Meditation Program Cuts Costs in Half. Business and Health, 4(1):39‑42, 1986.