Workplace Meditation Interventions for Reducing Psychological Stress and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Workplace Wellness Policy Implications

Purpose of Review Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading global cause of mortality and significant sources of economic burden around the world. One major modifiable CVD risk factor—high chronic psychological stress—is associated with factors that increase risk: high blood pressure, inflammation, damaged arteries, and lifestyle behaviors. Most adults spend the majority of their time in the workplace, second only to sleeping; job stress is the most significant source of stress among US workers, and it is consistently associated with increased risk for CVD. The purpose of this systematic review was to provide succinct information that may be useful to the design and implementation of future workplace meditation programs to promote cardiovascular risk reduction and well-being. Recent Findings Meditation is an increasingly accepted workplace wellness program activity, due to growing evidence associating meditation practice with improved emotional, behavioral, and physiological factors that increase risk for CVD. This systematic literature review includes descriptions of sample demographics, workplace setting, meditation program logistics, and relevant cardiovascular risk outcomes from 42 randomized controlled trials of workplace meditation interventions. All but three studies reported CVD risk reduction benefits associated with meditation, compared to the controlled condition. Summary The results of the studies reviewed were overwhelmingly positive. Workplace meditation programming is acceptable by employees and beneficial for addressing CVD risk through stress reduction, burnout prevention, improved job satisfaction, improved cardiac and neuroinflammatory markers, and increased quality of life. Findings are congruent with recommendations by the CDC and WHO to integrate meditation-based stress management in workplace settings.