Numerous studies have demonstrated reductions in depression from meditation.
In one study, done at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Medicine in 2007,
patients with congestive heart failure showed a significant reduction in depression when they began to practice meditation.
Not only were they less depressed, the patients also walked further and had fewer hospitalizations than patients who did not
learn or practice meditation.
Another study done in
2007, this one at the University of California at San Diego, showed large reductions in distress and significant improvements
in mood for individuals who were taught and practiced meditation.
A
2007 study done at Duke University showed that even brief instruction in very simple meditation techniques could improve negative
mood. Interestingly, the more likely the person was to have negative moods, the more
likely they were to experience benefits from meditation.
The Duke study found that frequency of practice did
effect outcomes. In other words--the more you do it, the better you'll feel!