Nondirective meditation used in stress management

AbstractAims: 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 worr...