ABSTRACT

Objective:

Meditation practice and meditation-based psychotherapies have become increasingly popular. Although psychological benefits associated with meditation are well-documented, potential risks are unclear.

Method:

We conducted a population-based survey to evaluate the occurrence of a broad range of meditation-related adverse effects (MRAE).

Results:

Nine hundred and fifty three participants completed our screening survey, 470 endorsed lifetime exposure to meditation practice, and 434 completed a follow-up survey assessing MRAE (92.3% response rate). A higher proportion than hypothesized reported occurrence of MRAE (general item = 32.3%, 1+ specific item = 50.0%) and MRAE duration ≥1 month (10.4%). Anxiety, traumatic re-experiencing, and emotional sensitivity were the most common MRAE. Some degree of functional impairment was reported by 10.6% of participants, with impairment lasting ≥1 month for 1.2%. Childhood adversity was associated with elevated risk for MRAE. Participants reporting MRAE were equally glad to have practiced meditation as those not reporting MRAE. Additional correlates of MRAE were identified in exploratory analyses.

Conclusion:

MRAE are common, even in a sample with relatively modest amounts of experience. Identifying individuals at elevated risk for MRAE, being transparent and realistic about the possible range of effects, and increasing trauma-sensitivity are warranted to maximize benefits and minimize risks of meditation.

中文翻译：

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美国人口样本中冥想相关不良反应的发生率

摘要

客观的：

冥想练习和基于冥想的心理治疗越来越受欢迎。尽管与冥想相关的心理益处有据可查，但潜在风险尚不清楚。

方法：

我们进行了一项基于人群的调查，以评估广泛的与冥想相关的不良反应 (MRAE) 的发生率。

结果：

953 名参与者完成了我们的筛选调查，470 名参与者认可终生接触冥想练习，434 名参与者完成了评估 MRAE 的后续调查（92.3% 的回应率）。报告的 MRAE 发生率（一般项目 = 32.3%，1+ 特定项目 = 50.0%）和 MRAE 持续时间≥1 个月 (10.4%) 的比例高于假设。焦虑、创伤性再体验和情绪敏感性是最常见的 MRAE。10.6% 的参与者报告了某种程度的功能障碍，其中 1.2% 的参与者功能障碍持续时间≥1 个月。童年逆境与 MRAE 风险升高有关。报告 MRAE 的参与者与未报告 MRAE 的参与者同样高兴地练习了冥想。在探索性分析中确定了 MRAE 的其他相关因素。

结论：

MRAE 很常见，即使在经验相对较少的样本中也是如此。识别 MRAE 风险较高的个体，对可能的影响范围保持透明和现实，并提高创伤敏感性是最大化冥想收益和最小化冥想风险的必要条件。