Trait Mindfulness Moderates Treatment Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Mantram Repetition Program for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – October 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Veterans with PTSD who practiced Mantram Repetition experienced significant symptom relief. In a study involving 173 veterans, those with a stronger ability to "describe their internal experience" showed a notable reduction in PTSD hyperarousal symptoms after eight sessions of MRP compared to present-centered therapy (PCT). Additionally, participants with lower "nonreactivity to internal stimuli" reported greater decreases in PTSD avoidance and insomnia symptoms. These findings suggest that specific mindfulness skills can enhance the effectiveness of meditation-based interventions for PTSD.
Abstract
Objectives: This secondary analysis examined five facets of mindful awareness as potential moderators of clinical outcomes using data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) with present-centered therapy (PCT) in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Data were examined from 173 veterans with military-related PTSD randomly assigned to receive eight sessions of MRP (n = 89) or PCT (n = 84). Clinician-administered and self-report measures of mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire [FFMQ]), PTSD severity, insomnia symptoms, and depression symptoms, and were obtained pre- and post-intervention. Hierarchical regressions were used to test for FFMQ moderation on clinical outcomes within the two treatment groups. Results: For those with greater ability to "describe their internal experience" (+1 standard deviation [SD]), MRP was associated with lower PTSD hyperarousal symptoms post-intervention than PCT (p < 0.001). For those with lower "nonreactivity to internal stimuli" (-1 SD), MRP was associated with greater reductions in PTSD avoidance and numbing symptoms and insomnia compared with PCT (all ps < 0.002). Conclusions: Pre-intervention mindfulness domains of "describe" and "nonreactivity to inner experience" differentially predicted improvements in PTSD and insomnia symptoms for MRP as compared with PCT subjects. The FFMQ may be an important tool for predicting patient preparedness for mindfulness-based interventions, such as MRP.