What are the Epidemiological Challenges in Studying Meditation?

Studying meditation in epidemiology presents several challenges. One major issue is the heterogeneity of meditation practices, making it difficult to standardize interventions. Additionally, self-report measures of meditation practice and health outcomes may be subject to bias. Another challenge is the placebo effect, as participants' expectations of benefits may influence the results. To address these challenges, researchers use rigorous study designs, such as RCTs with active control groups, and employ objective measures when possible.