Data on the effects of meditation on clinical endpoints in established
cardiovascular disease are limited. A small study (23 total patients)
examined the effects of TM® in African Americans (≥55 years) with
NYHA class II or III congestive heart failure and ejection fraction less
than 40% [74]. Subjects were randomized to instruction in TM® and
two 15–20 min at home sessions of meditation per day or health
education classes with instructions to read or listen to music for
15–20 min two times per day. The meditation group had significant
improvements in the primary endpoint of six-minute walk test scores,
improving their six-minute walk test score by 50.5 m from baseline to
6 months compared to the health education groupwho had a decreased
six-minute walk test score by 6.2 m at 6 months (p = 0.03). There
were also improvements in quality of life and depression in the meditation
group. Limitations of the study include the very small sample size
and short follow-up.