Page 119 - Demo

117Increased Physical and Mental Healthin Women in Uganda5.04.03.02.01.00.0Physical Health Mental HealthAdjusted Mean Change ScoresTranscendentalMeditationControlsp = .004 p = .007tm-038BETTER HEALTH, LESS WORRY, MORE HAPPINESSThis study on the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on self-effi cacy, perceived stress, and quality of life of mothers living in poverty in Uganda was a collaboration between the United Women%u2019s Platform and Empowerment and Development (UWOPED), the African Women and Girls Organization for Total Knowledge, Uganda Ltd. (a TM teaching organization in Uganda), and Maharishi International University in Fairfi eld, Iowa. In this controlled trial, 81 disadvantaged Ugandan women were assigned to TM or a Wait-List Control. The study found that after 3 months the women practicing TM showed increased physical and mental health, as measured by the Medical Outcomes Survey (35 items) using physical and mental health subscales. These changes refl ect greater energy and vitality, and greater ability to think clearly, concentrate, plan, and make decisions.Brenda Nakalembe, Founder and Executive Director of UWOPED said: %u201cBefore offering TM we had some success with our programs for the mothers, but had to work hard to inspire and engage them in activities to better themselves, and often they would not continue because of being depressed or unable to function in their lives. Now, with the addition of TM, I see that mothers are experiencing greater emotional stability, less anger, clearer thinking, happiness, and well-being, and they are more motivated and engaged in taking care of themselves and their children. It is quite remarkable, and they report that their families are more harmonious and that they have less confl ict with their neighbors. Seeing changes in their neighbors has brought more and more women to UWOPED to take part in all of our training, especially the TM training.%u201d Reference: Goldstein, L., Nidich, S., Goodman, R., & Goodman, D. H. (2018). The effect of Transcendental Meditation on self-effi cacy, perceived stress, and quality of life of mothers in Uganda. Health Care for Women International. Advance online publication.