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Study B-01

Workplace Stress, Burnout & Performance

1. Full Citation

Elder C, Nidich S, Moriarty F, Nidich R. (2014). Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Stress, Depression, and Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Study. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 19–23. DOI: 10.7812/TPP/13-102.

 

Reference Information

Journal: The Permanente Journal
Year: 2014
Study Code: B-01
DOI: 10.7812/TPP/13-102
Level of Evidence: Randomised Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed: Yes  

2. Research Question

Does Transcendental Meditation reduce workplace stress, depression and burnout in employees, thereby supporting healthier and more effective job performance?

3. Participants

  •  Forty teachers and support staff at a therapeutic school participated.

4. Method

Randomised controlled trial comparing employees who learned Transcendental Meditation with a wait-list control group over four months. 

5. Key Findings

Compared with controls, employees practising TM experienced statistically significant reductions in:

  • Perceived stress
  • Depression
  • Burnout

Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, with the greatest improvement seen in perceived stress. The authors concluded that these changes have important implications for employee wellbeing and job performance.

6. Practical Implications

Why This Matters

High-performing organisations rely on people who can think clearly, remain resilient and make good decisions under pressure. Chronic stress and burnout reduce productivity, creativity, communication and leadership effectiveness.

This study demonstrates that Transcendental Meditation can be a practical workplace intervention to improve employee wellbeing while supporting better performance at work.

Practical Applications

Regular TM practice may help organisations by supporting:

  • Better concentration
  • Improved decision-making
  • Reduced absenteeism
  • Greater resilience under pressure
  • Higher job satisfaction
  • More effective leadership and teamwork

7. Strengths and Limitations

The study involved a relatively small number of participants within one organisation. Further large-scale studies across different industries would strengthen the evidence, although this remains one of the highest-quality workplace TM studies because it was a peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial.

8. Related Topics

Primary

Health & Wellbeing

Also relevant

Sports  Performance

Recovery & Rehabilitation

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