A Preliminary Evaluation of the Feasibility and Efficacy of Mantra-Like Phrase Recitation in Improving Mental Health in Autistic Adults

Abstract

Objectives

Mantra recitation has been shown to improve emotional well-being in neurotypical individuals with mental health conditions; however, no research has explored its effect on the autistic population. The private, routine nature of mantra and mantra-like recitation may offer unique advantages for autistic individuals struggling with negative emotions and emotion regulation. The purpose of this study was therefore to conduct a preliminary study of the feasibility and efficacy of a self-guided, online program of reciting secular mantra-like phrases in improving negative emotions and cognitive coping mechanisms.

Methods

This study used a pre-post, quasi-experimental design. Participants (n = 12) recited a mantra-like phrase for 30 min a day over 6 weeks. Each participant chose a secular mantra-like phrase from a predetermined list to practice exclusively throughout the session. Participants also completed two surveys each week to track their progress and practice times.

Results

Participants overall reported high feasibility, specifically acceptability and practicality of the program, and high satisfaction with study participation. At the conclusion of the program, participants reported significant decreases in negative emotions, specifically anxiety, stress, depression, and rumination, and significant increases in emotion regulation.

Conclusions

These findings offer promise regarding the feasibility and efficacy of secular mantra-like recitation for promoting emotional wellbeing in autistic adults, based on its improvement of symptoms and use of a low-cost strategy that can be performed across settings. Self-guided programs may offer additional benefits to autistic adults given that they can be completed independently and privately within the privacy of their homes.