An intervention combining cognitive techniques with loving-kindness meditations (C-METTA) reduced PTSD symptoms, trauma-related guilt, and trauma-related shame more than a wait-list condition in a small randomized trial of 32 trauma-exposed patients. The effects were large: PTSD symptoms (d = -1.09), guilt (d = -2.85), and shame (d = -2.14) all showed greater reductions with C-METTA, along with improvements in general psychopathology and self-criticism. The intervention consisted of six weekly individual sessions followed by a four-week practice phase. These results suggest C-METTA may offer improved care for patients with stress-related disorders.
A combination of cognitive techniques and loving-kindness meditation (C-METTA) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, trauma-related guilt, and trauma-related shame in 25 survivors of interpersonal violence, 96% of whom were women aged 19–61. Effect sizes were large, ranging from d = 1.12 to d = 1.67 for PTSD symptoms, d = 1.54 for guilt, and d = 1.26 for shame. Childhood trauma, cumulative trauma, and chronic PTSD did not influence treatment effectiveness. The authors suggest C-METTA may expand treatment options for PTSD following interpersonal violence, though regression to the mean should be considered as a confounding factor.