Mindfulness-based interventions for military veterans: A systematic review and analysis of the literature

Marchand, William R.; Sandoval, Kristin; Lackner, Ryan; Parker, Suzanne C.; Herrmann, Tracy; Yabko, Brandon; Velasquez, Tania; Lewis, Lacey; Butler, Jorie

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101274

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…In addition, women have been underrepresented in studies examining MBSR in veterans with a recent metaanalysis finding that 85% of the sample across all studies reviewed were male. 22 Furthermore, findings from a qualitative study suggest that women veterans prefer "women-only" MBSR groups. 23 Therefore, the aim of this RCT was to examine the effectiveness of MBSR to reduce perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and symptoms of PTSD, and to lower diurnal salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines in women veterans at risk for CVD.…”

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confidence: 99%

Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans

et al. 2022

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Background Women veterans experience higher levels of stress-related symptoms than their civilian counterparts. Psychological stress is associated with greater inflammation and may increase risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found to improve psychological well-being in other populations but no randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been conducted examining the impact of MBSR on well-being and inflammation in women veterans at risk for CVD. Objective Determine the effectiveness of MBSR in improving psychological well-being, cortisol, and inflammation associated with CVD in women veterans. Design The design is a RCT comparing MBSR to an active control condition (ACC) consisting of a health education program. Participants Women veterans (N=164) with risk factors for CVD from the Chicagoland area participated in the study. Intervention An 8-week MBSR program with weekly 2.5-h classes was compared to an ACC consisting of an 8-week health promotion education program with weekly 2.5-h classes. Main Measures The outcomes were psychological well-being [perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] symptoms and stress-related markers, including diurnal salivary cortisol and cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks (mid-point of intervention), 8 weeks (completion of intervention), and 6 months after completion of MBSR or ACC. Key Results Compared to the ACC, women who participated in MBSR reported less perceived stress, loneliness, and symptoms of PTSD. Although there were no significant differences between groups or changes over time in IL-6 or IFN-γ, participants in the MBSR program demonstrated a more rapid decline in diurnal salivary cortisol as compared to those in the ACC. Conclusions MBSR was found to improve psychological well-being and decrease diurnal salivary cortisol in women veterans at risk for CVD. Health care providers may consider MBSR for women veterans as a means by which to improve their psychological well-being.

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confidence: 99%

Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans

et al. 2022

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“…In summary, this pilot RCT examines the effect of a novel mindfulness-based intervention, the HAZMAT workshop, on behavioral health outcomes in firefighters. The results will build upon the preliminary evidence for the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for firefighters [ 26 ], specifically, and first responders [ [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] ], broadly, and extend a well-established literature on the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions among military and veteran personnel and populations meeting criteria for various types of psychological symptoms and conditions [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. This work has clinical import and potential to inform policy, if feasibility and preliminary efficacy is established.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Across populations, mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated efficacy with regard to various psychological symptoms, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol use [ [14] , [15] , [16] ]. For example, among military veterans, mindfulness-based interventions have shown efficacy in targeting various aspects of psychological health, including PTSD, depression, and quality of life [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. Further, mindfulness-based interventions, administered to military service members prior to combat stress training, have shown preliminary efficacy in reducing biomarkers of stress, compared to as-usual training [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mindful attention training workshop for firefighters: Design and methodology of a pilot randomized clinical trial

Vujanovic

Lebeaut

Zegel

et al. 2022

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

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“…Research on mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) has demonstrated positive effects in multiple health conditions, 11 including studies by Veterans Health Administration investigators primarily with veterans who have PTSD and mood disorders. 12 There have been few randomized controlled trials (RCT) of mindfulness in diabetes 13 14 and none has been conducted with veterans. This gap is unfortunate as mindfulness seems to be particularly beneficial for individuals like veterans who may be emotionally or cognitively depleted and stressed by daily diabetes self-management tasks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an integrated mindfulness intervention for veterans with diabetes distress: a randomized controlled trial

DiNardo

Greco

Phares

et al. 2022

BMJ Open Diab Res Care

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IntroductionUS military veterans have disproportionately high rates of diabetes and diabetes-related morbidity in addition to being at risk of comorbid stress-related conditions. This study aimed to examine the effects of a technology-supported mindfulness intervention integrated into usual diabetes care and education on psychological and biobehavioral outcomes.Research design and methodsVeterans (N=132) with type 1 or 2 diabetes participated in this two-arm randomized controlled efficacy trial. The intervention arm received a one-session mindfulness intervention integrated into a pre-existing program of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) plus one booster session and 24 weeks of home practice supported by a mobile application. The control arm received one 3-hour comprehensive DSMES group session. The primary outcome was change in diabetes distress (DD). The secondary outcomes were diabetes self-care behaviors, diabetes self-efficacy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, mindfulness, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), body weight, and blood pressure. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Participant satisfaction and engagement in home practice were assessed in the intervention group at 12 and 24 weeks.ResultsIntention-to-treat group by time analyses showed a statistically significant improvement in DD in both arms without significant intervention effect from baseline to 24 weeks. Examination of distal effects on DD between weeks 12 and 24 showed significantly greater improvement in the intervention arm. Improvement in DD was greater when baseline HbA1C was <8.5%. A significant intervention effect was also shown for general dietary behaviors. The secondary outcomes diabetes self-efficacy, PTSD, depression, and HbA1C significantly improved in both arms without significant intervention effects. Mindfulness and body weight were unchanged in either group.ConclusionsA technology-supported mindfulness intervention integrated with DSMES showed stronger distal effects on DD compared with DSMES control. Examination of longer-term outcomes, underlying mechanisms, and the feasibility of virtual delivery is warranted.Trial registration numberNCT02928952.

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Mindfulness-based interventions for military veterans: A systematic review and analysis of the literature

Cited by 18 publications

References 59 publications

Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans

Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans

Mindful attention training workshop for firefighters: Design and methodology of a pilot randomized clinical trial

Effects of an integrated mindfulness intervention for veterans with diabetes distress: a randomized controlled trial

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