Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for Chinese adults with PTSD symptoms: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is being tested against an active control (Seeking Safety) for people with PTSD symptoms who do not meet full diagnostic criteria. The trial randomly assigns 160 participants to either MBCT or Seeking Safety, each delivered in eight weekly two-hour sessions. PTSD symptoms are measured at baseline, after treatment, and three months later using the PTSD checklist for DSM-5. Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety, attention, avoidance, rumination, mindfulness, and coping skills. The study also examines whether attention, avoidance, and rumination explain how mindfulness affects PTSD symptoms. Results are expected to inform healthcare guidelines for PTSD.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Emerging evidence supports mindfulness as a potential psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with subthreshold PTSD experience significant impairment in their daily life and functioning due to PTSD symptoms, despite not meeting the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD in DSM-5. Mindfulness skills, including non-judgmental acceptance, attentional control and openness to experiences may help alleviate PTSD symptoms by targeting characteristics such as intensified memory processing, dysregulated hyperarousal, avoidance, and thought suppression. This trial aims to test the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) when compared to an active control. This 1:1 randomised controlled trial will enroll 160 participants with PTSD symptoms in 2 arms (MBCT vs. Seeking Safety), with both interventions consisting of 8 weekly sessions lasting 2 h each week and led by certified instructors. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 3 months post-intervention (T2), with the primary outcome being PTSD symptoms measured by the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) at T1. Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety, attention, experimental avoidance, rumination, mindfulness, and coping skills. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be performed. Mediation analysis will investigate whether attention, experimental avoidance, and rumination mediate the effect of mindfulness on PTSD symptoms. The proposed study will assess the effectiveness of MBCT in improving PTSD symptoms. The findings are anticipated to have implications for various areas of healthcare and contribute to the enhancement of existing intervention guidelines for PTSD. ChiCTR2200061863.