A Randomized Clinical Trial of Primary Care Brief Mindfulness Training for Veterans With PTSD

Abstract

Our data support preliminary efficacy of BMT for Veterans with PTSD. Whether PCBMT facilitates engagement into, or improves outcomes of, full-length empirically supported treatment for PTSD remains to be evaluated.

Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence

“…In contrast to those studies, Possemato and colleages 136 did not find significant differences on PTSD symptom severity (using intention to treat [ITT] analysis) among veterans who participated in a brief mindfulness program (4 wk) based on MBSR compared with those who received treatment as usual (TAU). However, completer analysis (including participants who attended all classes) showed significantly greater improvements on PTSD severity (CAPS) and depressive symptoms among the mindfulness group compared with the TAU group, with medium to large effect sizes.…”

“…[129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139] In a recent pilot study Cole and colleagues 129 investigated standard MBSR as a treatment for both PTSD symptoms and attention difficulties among veterans with PTSD and a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), reporting low drop-out rates (10%), significant reductions in self-reported PTSD symptoms and significant improvements on attention measures posttreatment. In that study, PTSD symptom reduction was maintained at 3-month follow-up, although attention improvements were not.…”

“…131,132,134 A handful of RCTs investigating the efficacy of MBSR have been completed among trauma-exposed populations. 133,[136][137][138] The largest of these was a recent study in which 116 veterans with full or subthreshold PTSD were randomly assigned to receive MBSR (augmented to include psychoeducation about trauma) or present-centred therapy (PCT; focused on current problems as manifestations of PTSD). 138 Significantly greater reductions in self-report and clinician-rated (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale [CAPS] 140 ) PTSD symptoms and improvements in quality of life were noted in the MBSR group (medium effect sizes) with adequate retention rates (78%).…”

“…However, completer analysis (including participants who attended all classes) showed significantly greater improvements on PTSD severity (CAPS) and depressive symptoms among the mindfulness group compared with the TAU group, with medium to large effect sizes. 136 The authors posited that a minimum of 4 treatment sessions was needed to attain significant symptom reduction. 136 Similarly, Kearney and colleagues 133 reported significant within-group improvements on measures of PTSD and depressive symptoms posttreatment among veterans taking part in a standard MBSR program (not maintained at follow-up).…”

“…136 The authors posited that a minimum of 4 treatment sessions was needed to attain significant symptom reduction. 136 Similarly, Kearney and colleagues 133 reported significant within-group improvements on measures of PTSD and depressive symptoms posttreatment among veterans taking part in a standard MBSR program (not maintained at follow-up). However, this study did not show significant differences between veterans receiving MBSR in addition to TAU and those receiving only TAU on any clinical measure except for an assessment of mental HRQOL.…”