An open pilot trial of loving-kindness meditation for veterans with PTSD found that the practice was safe, acceptable, and associated with reduced symptoms. After a 12-week course, self-compassion increased with large effect sizes, and mindfulness increased with medium to large effect sizes. At 3-month follow-up, PTSD symptoms showed a large reduction (d = -0.89) and depression a medium reduction (d = -0.49). Enhanced self-compassion appeared to mediate these symptom reductions. Attendance was high, with 74% attending 9-12 classes. Further controlled study is needed to confirm whether the changes are due to the meditation itself rather than other influences.
A 12-week course of loving-kindness meditation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with lasting improvements in positive emotions and personal resources. Unactivated pleasant emotions increased significantly, while both activated and unactivated unpleasant emotions decreased. At a 3-month follow-up, veterans showed gains in environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and decentering. The findings suggest that loving-kindness meditation may help broaden positive emotions and build psychological resources in this population, warranting further investigation.