In 1977 the American Psychiatric Association called for a critical
examination of the clinical effectiveness of meditation. The author
provides a review of the literature bearing on clinical and physiological
comparisons of meditation with other self-control strategies. He begins by
providing a definition of mediation and then cites the literature comparing
mediation with such self-regulation strategies as biofeedback, hypnosis,
and progressive relaxation. He pays particular attention to the
"uniqueness" of mediation as a clinical intervention strategy a well as the
adverse effects of meditation. Finally, he offers suggestions and
guidelines for future research.
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