Purpose:
You have been invited to take part in a programme evaluation to learn more about how Transcendental Meditation® (TM) may change your feelings of stress and improve your overall quality of life. This project will be conducted by Deirdre Parsons, MSc, and Dr. Sanford Nidich, EdD, from the Center for Social-Emotional Health, Maharishi International University (MIU) USA, and research staff at the David Lynch Foundation in the UK and US. The project will take place in Norfolk, UK.
Important advantages of employing TM in research and evaluation help to produce a standardised and reproducible teaching format, a thorough certification programme for instructors, and widespread availability of instructors throughout the world.
Approximately fifty East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust staff will participate in the single-group before-and-after evaluation. The evaluation will launch in July 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions are eased sufficiently to for instruction to take place.
Transcendental Meditation (TM):
TM is an effortless technique that produces a state of ‘restful alertness’ associated with a more integrated style of brain functioning. TM will be delivered to participants by certified instructors of the programme in a standardised format. The TM technique is not based on religious or other philosophical beliefs and does not involve major changes to one’s lifestyle.
Four experienced certified TM instructors will conduct the course. All teachers also have up to date DBS certificates. All certified TM teachers have been extensively trained in the teaching of the TM programme, verifying continued correctness of effortless practice of the technique, and conducting additional follow-up sessions. The same standardised TM course sequence will be used for all participants in the project.
Outline of Transcendental Meditation (TM) Teaching Programme:
Learning TM will involve individual and group sessions over 12 weeks (about 60-90 minutes per session), including the core instruction in the TM technique which will involve five sessions, consisting of:
Step 1: Attend an introductory talk with a certified TM teacher via Zoom. This will give the participant a chance to find out more about TM, ask any questions, and decide whether they would like to go ahead with the course. After the talk participants can also have a personal chat with the TM teacher.
Step 2: Personal one-to-one in-person instruction in the technique. This takes 60-90 minutes.
Step 3: The instruction is then followed by 3 consecutive days of 2 hour follow up sessions. This can be done in two ways:
- At-home learning
At-home learning offers some flexibility, with about 1.5 hours of course materials that can be viewed throughout your day. With the custom interactive digital learning course, at-home sessions consist of videos and Q&As. Participants will also have the support of daily meditation ‘check in’ online sessions, lasting about 30 minutes, with their personal teacher.
- In person
Each day there will be a 2-hour session in person with the participants TM teacher
With both options, a TM teacher will be available to offer continuing individualised support and guidance throughout the initial course and as the practice advances.
Step 4: A further 60-90 minutes follow-up session around 10 days after learning, either over Zoom or in person with your TM teacher.
Step 5: Monthly meditation sessions over Zoom with a TM teacher and with others who have recently learnt TM. This is a chance to ensure that participants’ TM is easy and enjoyable, and they are gaining the full benefits. It is also an opportunity to meditate as a group and ask any questions. It is recommended that participants continue with the monthly meditation sessions for 6 months after learning, with the option to continue beyond this.
Additional sessions (individual or group) will also be available and recommended as needed during the first three months of the project.
Those who have learnt TM will be asked to participate in the following:
Home Practice:
Home practice will consist of two 20-minute TM sessions daily - morning and evening.
Evaluation Procedure:
You will be asked to complete a battery of surveys before you receive TM instruction, and then complete the same survey questions at two weeks and three months after your TM instruction.
With your consent, you will be asked to complete the following surveys that asks about:
· Your perceptions of stress in your own life
· Your quality of life in different areas
· Your sense of professional fulfillment, interactions with clients
· Your energy levels
In addition you will be asked to complete a survey about your experiences during TM practice and in activity (as a result of daily practice of the TM programme).
You may be asked to take part in semi-structured interviews for 30 minutes, conducted with select participants completing the 3-month post-test.
Risks
We will minimise the risk of confidential data being compromised by ensuring that only the researchers directly involved in the evaluation will have access to the evaluation’s data/files. The only risks that may be associated with participation in the survey instruments are that you may feel emotional discomfort when answering items about your emotional state.
Benefits
Your participation in the evaluation of this project will enable us to gather further evidence of the effectiveness of the technique and help us secure further funding to expand the reach of this and other projects. It may also inspire others to seek out self-care programs for the purpose of reducing stress and improving their own quality of life.
Confidentiality
This evaluation is for research purposes and all records relating to each subject will be kept anonymous. Without your express permission, no information will be released or printed that would disclose your personal identity.
Informed Consent
I certify that the research procedures described on this form have been explained to me and that any questions that I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction. I understand the benefits and possible risks (if any) of participating in this research. I know that I may ask now, or in the future, any questions I have about the evaluation or the research procedures. I have been assured that records relating to me will be kept anonymous.
I understand that I am free to withdraw from the evaluation at any time. I further understand that if I do not join the evaluation, or if I withdraw at any time, I will still be able to participate in the course and will not be penalised or lose benefits to which I am otherwise entitled.
I may contact Deirdre Parsons at dparsons@davidlynchfoundation.org.uk, who will review the matter with me, answer pertinent questions about the research and my rights.