Voluntary inhibition of reflex: Effects of consistent meditative practice

The present study investigated the effects of meditative practices on the regulation of autonomic function. 74 subjects (38 women; 36 men) comprised from a range of experienced and non-experienced meditators, engaged in a series of psychophysiological tasks designed to generate specific autonomic states. Regression analyses revealed that experienced meditators, as predicted, displayed greater suppression of myocardial reactivity during a highly reflexive and stressful task. Meditative practice also predicted a rise in electrodermal activity during a relaxation task, contrary to expectations. These results support the concept that meditative practices may alter aspects of autonomic function. Further, these results inform an emerging mind-body paradigm and illustrate the potential consequences of meditative practices in specific disease states and prevention.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Pardikes, Thomas James

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Friedman, Bruce H.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Harrison, David W.
• Bell, Martha Ann
• Hoffman, Kurt A.

• Anterior Regulation
• Meditation
• Autonomic Nervous System

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05042010-132553

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/27539