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Meditation programs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: Aggregate findings from a multi-site evaluation.

Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy
May 1, 2016
Kathi L Heffner et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VA-sponsored meditation programs in reducing PTSD severity among Veterans receiving mental health services, compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU).

Results Summary

Meditation programs showed medium effect sizes for reducing PTSD severity (clinical interview: ES = -0.32; self-report: ES = -0.39) and improving mindfulness (ES = 0.41), particularly nonreactivity to inner experience (ES = 0.37). Program effects were moderated by meditation type and completion rates.

Population

Veterans receiving mental health services at VA facilities (N = 391).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
meditation programs
decrease
PTSD severity (clinical interview)
Veterans
effect size (ES) = -0.32
showed medium effect sizes for
#1
meditation programs
decrease
PTSD severity (self-report)
Veterans
ES = -0.39
showed medium effect sizes for
#2
meditation programs
increase
overall mindfulness
Veterans
ES = 0.41
found similarly sized effects for
#3
meditation programs
increase
nonreactivity to inner experience
Veterans
ES = .37
found similarly sized effects for
#4
VA-sponsored meditation programs
decrease
PTSD severity
Veterans receiving mental health services
-
show promise for reducing
#5
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Interest in meditation to manage posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is increasing. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of meditation programs offered to Veterans within Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health services. The current study addresses this gap using data from a multisite VA demonstration project. METHOD: Evaluation data collected at 6 VA sites (N = 391 Veterans) before and after a meditation program, and a treatment-as-usual (TAU) program, were examined here using random effects meta-analyses. Site-specific and aggregate between group effect sizes comparing meditation programs to TAU were determined for PTSD severity measured by clinical interview and self-report. Additional outcomes included experiential avoidance and mindfulness. RESULTS: In aggregate, analyses showed medium effect sizes for meditation programs compared to TAU for PTSD severity (clinical interview: effect size (ES) = -0.32; self-report: ES = -0.39). Similarly sized effects of meditation programs were found for overall mindfulness (ES = 0.41) and 1 specific aspect of mindfulness, nonreactivity to inner experience (ES = .37). Additional findings suggested meditation type and program completion differences each moderated program effects. CONCLUSIONS: VA-sponsored meditation programs show promise for reducing PTSD severity in Veterans receiving mental health services. Where meditation training fits within mental health services, and for whom programs will be of interest and effective, require further clarification. (PsycINFO Database Record

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMeditationMental Health ServicesOutcome Assessment, Health CareStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsVeterans
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations24
Citations/Year2.7
Relative Citation Ratio1.34
NIH Percentile61.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.89
Normalized Score0.66
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