Transcendental Meditation for women affected by domestic violence: Study protocol of a pilot randomised, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Almost one in three women worldwide will be exposed to domestic and family violence some time in their life. This violence can contribute to physical, social, economic and psychological harm. Transcendental Meditation® (TM) may help to lessen the physical and emotional burden of domestic violence. METHODS: The objective of this pilot, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of TM to support group control, on quality-of-life, perceived stress and mood in women affected by domestic violence. Women living in Adelaide, South Australia, who have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime, will be randomized to eight weeks of standardised TM training or facilitated group support sessions. Health-related quality of life (AQoL-8D), severity of depression, anxiety and perceived stress (DASS-21), and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5) will be self-reported by women at baseline, week 8 (post-intervention) and week 16 (follow-up). Data will be analysed by intention-to-treat using linear mixed-effects models. DISCUSSION: TM is an effortless, easily practiced and convenient relaxation technique, with reportedly high rates of adherence. While previous studies have shown TM to be effective in improving a range of psychological and behavioural outcomes across different populations, the effects of TM in survivors of domestic violence is largely unknown. If the study described herein is able to demonstrate the benefits of TM in this population, it might offer survivors an accessible, long-term and potentially cost-effective treatment option for domestic violence-induced distress, anxiety and depression. Trial registration: ACTRN12620000467932.