The theoretical and empirical basis for meditation as an intervention for PTSD.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review meditation as an intervention for PTSD, focusing on mindfulness, mantra, and compassion meditation, and assess their potential mechanisms and effectiveness.
Results Summary
The study found that empirical evidence for meditation's efficacy in treating PTSD is very limited but holds some promise, suggesting further evaluation is warranted.
Population
Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
meditation | decrease | PTSD symptoms | - | - | may effectively reduce | #1 |
meditation | increase | quality of life | - | - | improve | #2 |
In spite of the existence of good empirically supported treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), consumers and providers continue to ask for more options for managing this common and often chronic condition. Meditation-based approaches are being widely implemented, but there is minimal research rigorously assessing their effectiveness. This article reviews meditation as an intervention for PTSD, considering three major types of meditative practices: mindfulness, mantra, and compassion meditation. The mechanisms by which these approaches may effectively reduce PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life are presented. Empirical evidence of the efficacy of meditation for PTSD is very limited but holds some promise. Additional evaluation of meditation-based treatment appears to be warranted.