Nondirective meditation used in stress management

Abstract

Aims: The present field study investigated the difference between practicing a nondirective relaxation technique – Acem Meditation – for stress relief and merely learning about stress and stress management in a population of active, working professionals. Methods: A six-months follow-up of an intervention group (N = 73) and a control group (N = 47) recruited from six large Norwegian companies. Results: The findings revealed significant improvements in the intervention group on all outcome variables – comprising mental distress (GHQ-12), worries and nervousness (EPQ-N), sleep problems (BIS) and musculoskeletal pain. In the control group, there were no changes. The differences between the intervention group and control group were significant, regarding EPQ-N, GHQ-12 and musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: A nondirective meditation technique promoted specific bodily and psychological benefits for active working professionals: less pain and sleep problems, and a personal style less characterized by worries and nervousness. Acem Meditation used as a stress management technique may be a positive supplement to other measures a company puts forward, both to reduce negative health impacts of stress and to improve the capacity to cope with the stressors at work and in daily life. Replications of this study with an RCT design are warranted.

Keywords:

• nondirective meditation
• stress management
• stress tolerance
• muscle pain
• mental distress

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Shahrooz Elka at the National Institute of Occupational Health for taking care of the database and the administration of codes for each participant during the project period, thus securing anonymity.