Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness-based treatments for PTSD.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness-based treatments for PTSD showed medium to large effect sizes and low attrition, with potential benefits in restoring connectivity between brain networks involved in PTSD symptomatology.
Population
Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based treatments | neutral | posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | - | - | have emerged as promising adjunctive or alternative intervention approaches | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and metta mindfulness | decrease | attrition | - | low | reveals low attrition with medium to large effect sizes | #2 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and metta mindfulness | increase | effect sizes | - | medium to large | reveals low attrition with medium to large effect sizes | #3 |
mindfulness interventions | neutral | emotional under- and overmodulation | - | - | may target | #4 |
mindfulness-based treatments | increase | connectivity between large-scale brain networks | individuals with PTSD | - | may also be effective in restoring connectivity | #5 |
mindfulness-based treatments | increase | connectivity between the default mode network and the central executive and salience networks | individuals with PTSD | - | may also be effective in restoring connectivity | #6 |
Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have emerged as promising adjunctive or alternative intervention approaches. A scoping review of the literature on PTSD treatment studies, including approaches such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and metta mindfulness, reveals low attrition with medium to large effect sizes. We review the convergence between neurobiological models of PTSD and neuroimaging findings in the mindfulness literature, where mindfulness interventions may target emotional under- and overmodulation, both of which are critical features of PTSD symptomatology. Recent emerging work indicates that mindfulness-based treatments may also be effective in restoring connectivity between large-scale brain networks among individuals with PTSD, including connectivity between the default mode network and the central executive and salience networks. Future directions, including further identification of the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness interventions in patients with PTSD and direct comparison of these interventions to first-line treatments for PTSD are discussed.