Effects of Transcendental Meditation in Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

In an uncontrolled pilot study, five veterans from recent wars with combat-related PTSD were trained in transcendental meditation and followed for 12 weeks. All participants improved on the primary PTSD symptom measure, with an average score reduction of 31.4 points. Significant improvements were also seen in clinician-rated severity, quality of life, and a self-reported PTSD checklist. The findings suggest that TM may help alleviate PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life in this small group, but larger, placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm efficacy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We conducted an uncontrolled pilot study to determine whether transcendental meditation (TM) might be helpful in treating veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Five veterans were trained in the technique and followed for 12 weeks. All subjects improved on the primary outcome measure, the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (mean change score, 31.4; p = 0.02; df = 4). Significant improvements were also observed for 3 secondary outcome measures: Clinician's Global Inventory-Severity (mean change score, 1.60; p < 0.04; df = 4), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (mean change score, -13.00; p < 0.01; df = 4), and the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (mean change score, 24.00; p < 0.02; df = 4). TM may have helped to alleviate symptoms of PTSD and improve quality of life in this small group of veterans. Larger, placebo-controlled studies should be undertaken to further determine the efficacy of TM in this population.