Herbert Benson
Biographic Data
| ID | 283331 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Herbert Benson |
| GIVEN NAMES | Herbert |
| FAMILY NAME | Benson |
| SIGNATURE | BENSON H |
| AFFILIATIONS | Harvard University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6918-5045 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 24 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 33 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1966 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Quality assurance interventions in blended learning design: A systematic review of the literature
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift in higher education towards blended and online learning, prompting a need for robust quality assurance interventions. Blended learning, a combination of face-to-face and online experiences, offers flexibility and individualised learning paths, but its quality varies across institutions. Quality assurance interventions play a crucial role in monitoring and enhancing the effectiveness of blended learn…
Fostering Excellence in Blended Learning, a Mixed Methods Investigation of an Academic Learning Design Support Tool
Piloting the Integration of Non-Dispensing Pharmacists in the Australian General Practice Setting: A Process Evaluation
Conducting a process evaluation in the pilot phase of an integrated care project can allow adjustments to be made to the project procedures to improve the effectiveness and reproducibility of the intervention going forward
Effectiveness of the Relaxation Response-Based Group Intervention for Treating Depressed Chinese American Immigrants: A Pilot Study
The RR-based group is feasible and safe in treating Chinese American immigrants with depression
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness
Previous research indicates that long-term meditation practice is associated with altered resting electroencephalogram patterns, suggestive of long lasting changes in brain activity. We hypothesized that meditation practice might also be associated with changes in the brain's physical structure. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cortical thickness in 20 participants with extensive Insight meditation experience, which involves focused …
Depression and Education as Predicting Factors for Completion of a Behavioral Medicine Intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic
The authors compared characteristics of 1,012 outpatients completing a 10-week behavioral medicine intervention with 300 outpatients who dropped out. They administered the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R) before and after the program. Patients who completed the treatment, compared with dropouts, tended to be more highly educated, married, and gainfully employed. Their pretreatment scores on the SCL-90R were significantly lower than those of…
Somatization and Symptom Reduction Through a Behavioral Medicine Intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic
The authors assessed data from 1,148 outpatients in a 10-week medical symptom reduction program to determine the effectiveness of a behavioral medicine intervention among somatizing patients. The program included instruction in the relaxation response, cognitive restructuring, nutrition, and exercise. Before and after the intervention, the patients were evaluated on the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R), the Medical Symptom Checklist, and th…
Effects of Gender and Marital Status on Somatic Symptoms of Patients Attending a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic
To clarify the mechanisms of gender-related mind/body relationships, the authors analyzed the characteristics of 1,132 outpatients (848 women and 284 men) attending a mind/body medicine clinic. At entry in the program, the patients completed the Medical Symptom Checklist, Symptom Checklist-90 revised (SCL-90R), and Stress Perception Scale. Women reported 9 out of 12 symptoms (fatigue, insomnia, headache, back pain, joint or limb pain, palpitation…
Behavioral Medicine: A Retrospective and a Look Forward
An Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes with Potential Relevance to Health Outcomes: Validation and Preliminary Testing
This article describes the validation of an Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes that has potential relevance to health outcomes and its preliminary testing with chronic pain patients. The inventory taps two attitudinal domains: (1) life purpose and satisfaction and (2) self-confidence during potentially stressful situations. It also provides a total score. The inventory scales, developed using factor analysis, were found to have a stron…
Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience
Jared D. Kass, Richard Friedman, Jane Leserman, Patricia C. Zuttermeister, Herbert Benson, Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Jun., 1991), pp. 203-211
Three Case Reports of the Metabolic and Electroencephalographic Changes during Advanced Buddhist Meditation Techniques
To examine the extent to which advanced meditative practices might alter body metabolism and the electroencephalogram (EEG), we investigated three Tibetan Buddhist monks living in the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, India. In a study carried out in February 1988, we found that during the practice of several different meditative practices, resting metabolism (VO2) could be both raised (up to 61%) and lowered (down to 64%). The reduction from rest is t…
A Study of the Effectiveness of Two Group Behavioral Medicine Interventions for Patients with Psychosomatic Complaints
This randomized, prospective study investigated the effectiveness of two group behavioral medicine interventions for primary care patients experiencing physical symptoms with a psychosocial component (eg, palpitations, gastrointestinal disturbances, headaches, malaise, sleep disorders). The subjects were 80 volunteers at a health maintenance organization (HMO) in the greater Boston area. Both interventions focused on the mind/body relationship an…
The Efficacy of the Relaxation Response in Preparing for Cardiac Surgery
This study evaluated the efficacy of the relaxation response on the post-operative recovery of 27 cardiac surgery patients randomly assigned to one of two groups. Thirteen experimental group patients received educational information and practiced eliciting the relaxation response before and after surgery. The 14 patients in the control group received only information. Experimental and control groups were compared before and after surgery on both …
To Our Readers
Behavioral Medicine: Work, Stress, and Health
A rebuttal to the conclusions of David S. Holmes's article: Meditation and somatic arousal reduction
A rebuttal to the conclusions of David S. Holmes's article: Meditation and somatic arousal reduction
Hypertension and Brain Mechanisms (Progress in Brain Research), Vol. 47
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working Population: II. Effects on Blood Pressure
A 12-week randomized experiment investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on office workers with “normal” blood pressure. Blood pressures of 126 volunteers from the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm were measured biweekly. After four weeks of baseline monitoring,volunteers were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation response; Group B was “taught” to sit quietly; and Group …
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working Population: I. Effects on Self-reported Measures of Health, Performance, and Well-being
An experiment conducted at the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on five self-reported measures of health, performance, and well-being. For 12 weeks, 126 volunteers filled out daily records and reported bi-weekly for additional measurements. After four weeks of baseline monitoring, they were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation r…
The Relaxation Response
When Dr. Herbert Benson introduced this simple, effective, mind/body approach to relieving stress twenty-five years ag, his book became an instant national bestseller. Since that time, millions of people have learned the secret--without high-priced lectures or prescription medicines. The Relaxation Response has become the classic reference recommended by most health care professionals and authorities to treat the harmful effects of stress.Discove…
A Simple Psychophysiologic Technique Which Elicits the Hypometabolic Changes of the Relaxation Response
Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and respiratory rate are significantly decreased during the practice of a new, easily-learned relaxation technique. The elements of the technique are a mental device to prevent distracting thoughts, a passive attitude, decreased muscle tonus, and a quiet environment which is as free of visual and auditory stimuli as possible. Sitting quietly with the eyes either open or closed failed to produce the s…
Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Comparison of Two Puerto Rican Populations
Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Comparison of Two Puerto Rican Populations Herbert BensonM.D., Raúl Costas, Jr.M.D., Mario R. Garcia-PalmieriM.D., Manuel FelibertiM.D., Ramón AixaláM.D., James H. BlantonM.D., and A. A. ColónD.Sc.M.D. CopyRightDr. Benson is an assignee of the National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health (Division of Collaborative Studies) to the Heart Health Program of Puerto Rico. His present address is: Heart S…
Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience
Jared D. Kass, Richard Friedman, Jane Leserman, Patricia C. Zuttermeister, Herbert Benson, Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Jun., 1991), pp. 203-211
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working Population: I. Effects on Self-reported Measures of Health, Performance, and Well-being
An experiment conducted at the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on five self-reported measures of health, performance, and well-being. For 12 weeks, 126 volunteers filled out daily records and reported bi-weekly for additional measurements. After four weeks of baseline monitoring, they were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation r…
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working Population: II. Effects on Blood Pressure
A 12-week randomized experiment investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on office workers with “normal” blood pressure. Blood pressures of 126 volunteers from the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm were measured biweekly. After four weeks of baseline monitoring,volunteers were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation response; Group B was “taught” to sit quietly; and Group …
Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Comparison of Two Puerto Rican Populations
Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Comparison of Two Puerto Rican Populations Herbert BensonM.D., Raúl Costas, Jr.M.D., Mario R. Garcia-PalmieriM.D., Manuel FelibertiM.D., Ramón AixaláM.D., James H. BlantonM.D., and A. A. ColónD.Sc.M.D. CopyRightDr. Benson is an assignee of the National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health (Division of Collaborative Studies) to the Heart Health Program of Puerto Rico. His present address is: Heart S…
The Relaxation Response
When Dr. Herbert Benson introduced this simple, effective, mind/body approach to relieving stress twenty-five years ag, his book became an instant national bestseller. Since that time, millions of people have learned the secret--without high-priced lectures or prescription medicines. The Relaxation Response has become the classic reference recommended by most health care professionals and authorities to treat the harmful effects of stress.Discove…
A Simple Psychophysiologic Technique Which Elicits the Hypometabolic Changes of the Relaxation Response
Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and respiratory rate are significantly decreased during the practice of a new, easily-learned relaxation technique. The elements of the technique are a mental device to prevent distracting thoughts, a passive attitude, decreased muscle tonus, and a quiet environment which is as free of visual and auditory stimuli as possible. Sitting quietly with the eyes either open or closed failed to produce the s…
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working Population: II. Effects on Blood Pressure
A 12-week randomized experiment investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on office workers with “normal” blood pressure. Blood pressures of 126 volunteers from the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm were measured biweekly. After four weeks of baseline monitoring,volunteers were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation response; Group B was “taught” to sit quietly; and Group …
Daily Relaxation Response Breaks in a Working Population: I. Effects on Self-reported Measures of Health, Performance, and Well-being
An experiment conducted at the corporate offices of a manufacturing firm investigated the effects of daily relaxation breaks on five self-reported measures of health, performance, and well-being. For 12 weeks, 126 volunteers filled out daily records and reported bi-weekly for additional measurements. After four weeks of baseline monitoring, they were divided randomly into three groups: Group A was taught a technique for producing the relaxation r…
Hypertension and Brain Mechanisms (Progress in Brain Research), Vol. 47
A rebuttal to the conclusions of David S. Holmes's article: Meditation and somatic arousal reduction
A rebuttal to the conclusions of David S. Holmes's article: Meditation and somatic arousal reduction
Behavioral Medicine: Work, Stress, and Health
To Our Readers
The Efficacy of the Relaxation Response in Preparing for Cardiac Surgery
This study evaluated the efficacy of the relaxation response on the post-operative recovery of 27 cardiac surgery patients randomly assigned to one of two groups. Thirteen experimental group patients received educational information and practiced eliciting the relaxation response before and after surgery. The 14 patients in the control group received only information. Experimental and control groups were compared before and after surgery on both …
Three Case Reports of the Metabolic and Electroencephalographic Changes during Advanced Buddhist Meditation Techniques
To examine the extent to which advanced meditative practices might alter body metabolism and the electroencephalogram (EEG), we investigated three Tibetan Buddhist monks living in the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, India. In a study carried out in February 1988, we found that during the practice of several different meditative practices, resting metabolism (VO2) could be both raised (up to 61%) and lowered (down to 64%). The reduction from rest is t…
A Study of the Effectiveness of Two Group Behavioral Medicine Interventions for Patients with Psychosomatic Complaints
This randomized, prospective study investigated the effectiveness of two group behavioral medicine interventions for primary care patients experiencing physical symptoms with a psychosocial component (eg, palpitations, gastrointestinal disturbances, headaches, malaise, sleep disorders). The subjects were 80 volunteers at a health maintenance organization (HMO) in the greater Boston area. Both interventions focused on the mind/body relationship an…
An Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes with Potential Relevance to Health Outcomes: Validation and Preliminary Testing
This article describes the validation of an Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes that has potential relevance to health outcomes and its preliminary testing with chronic pain patients. The inventory taps two attitudinal domains: (1) life purpose and satisfaction and (2) self-confidence during potentially stressful situations. It also provides a total score. The inventory scales, developed using factor analysis, were found to have a stron…
Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience
Jared D. Kass, Richard Friedman, Jane Leserman, Patricia C. Zuttermeister, Herbert Benson, Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Experience, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Jun., 1991), pp. 203-211
Behavioral Medicine: A Retrospective and a Look Forward
Depression and Education as Predicting Factors for Completion of a Behavioral Medicine Intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic
The authors compared characteristics of 1,012 outpatients completing a 10-week behavioral medicine intervention with 300 outpatients who dropped out. They administered the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R) before and after the program. Patients who completed the treatment, compared with dropouts, tended to be more highly educated, married, and gainfully employed. Their pretreatment scores on the SCL-90R were significantly lower than those of…
Somatization and Symptom Reduction Through a Behavioral Medicine Intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic
The authors assessed data from 1,148 outpatients in a 10-week medical symptom reduction program to determine the effectiveness of a behavioral medicine intervention among somatizing patients. The program included instruction in the relaxation response, cognitive restructuring, nutrition, and exercise. Before and after the intervention, the patients were evaluated on the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R), the Medical Symptom Checklist, and th…
Effects of Gender and Marital Status on Somatic Symptoms of Patients Attending a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic
To clarify the mechanisms of gender-related mind/body relationships, the authors analyzed the characteristics of 1,132 outpatients (848 women and 284 men) attending a mind/body medicine clinic. At entry in the program, the patients completed the Medical Symptom Checklist, Symptom Checklist-90 revised (SCL-90R), and Stress Perception Scale. Women reported 9 out of 12 symptoms (fatigue, insomnia, headache, back pain, joint or limb pain, palpitation…
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness
Previous research indicates that long-term meditation practice is associated with altered resting electroencephalogram patterns, suggestive of long lasting changes in brain activity. We hypothesized that meditation practice might also be associated with changes in the brain's physical structure. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cortical thickness in 20 participants with extensive Insight meditation experience, which involves focused …
Effectiveness of the Relaxation Response-Based Group Intervention for Treating Depressed Chinese American Immigrants: A Pilot Study
The RR-based group is feasible and safe in treating Chinese American immigrants with depression
Piloting the Integration of Non-Dispensing Pharmacists in the Australian General Practice Setting: A Process Evaluation
Conducting a process evaluation in the pilot phase of an integrated care project can allow adjustments to be made to the project procedures to improve the effectiveness and reproducibility of the intervention going forward
Quality assurance interventions in blended learning design: A systematic review of the literature
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift in higher education towards blended and online learning, prompting a need for robust quality assurance interventions. Blended learning, a combination of face-to-face and online experiences, offers flexibility and individualised learning paths, but its quality varies across institutions. Quality assurance interventions play a crucial role in monitoring and enhancing the effectiveness of blended learn…
Fostering Excellence in Blended Learning, a Mixed Methods Investigation of an Academic Learning Design Support Tool
Psychology (21 works) · Medicine (18 works) · Clinical Psychology (8 works) · Clinical Psychology (8 works) · Internal Medicine (7 works) · Psychiatry (7 works) · Physical therapy (6 works) · Intervention (counseling (5 works) · Philosophy (5 works) · Political science (5 works)