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49Improved Cognitive Flexibility in the Elderly0p < .001TMtechniqueMindfulnessRelaxationResponseNoTreatment % Correct at Posttest100755025A study of 80-year-olds conducted at Harvard found that practice of TMincreases cognitive fiexibility. tm-002TM IS BETTER FOR A STRONG, CLEAR MINDResearchers have found a marked decline in cognitive functioning with advancing age. Research on the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program has shown it to be a great tool for improving cognitive fl exibility and memory in elders. A study of 80-year-olds, conducted at Harvard and published in the prestigious Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique increases cognitive fl exibility. Cognitive fl exibility was measured by the ability to learn new material that was different from previously learned material, that is, the ability to overcome old habits with new knowledge. (Reference 1)The study also found that TM practice reduced systolic blood pressure more than the other techniques. Practicing TM was shown to extend life, with a higher quality of life. At the three-year followup, 100% of the TMers were still alive, whereas only 63% to 87% of the other groups (elders practicing mindfulness, relaxation, or no treatment) were still alive.Other studies have shown higher levels of cognitive functioning and lower levels of free radicals (lipid peroxide) in elders who practice TM. (Reference 2)Reference 1: Alexander, C. N., Langer, E. J., Newman, R. I., Chandler, H. M., & Davies, J. L. (1989). Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: An experimental study with the elderly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 950%u2013964. Reference 2: Nidich, S. I., Schneider, R. H., Nidich, R. J., Foster, G., Sharma, H., Salerno, J. W., ... Alexander, C. N. (2005). Effect of the Transcendental Meditation program on intellectual development in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17(1), 217%u2013228.