Formal mindfulness practice predicts reductions in PTSD symptom severity following a mindfulness-based intervention for women with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether post-intervention formal and informal mindfulness practice predicted sustained reductions in PTSD symptoms and substance craving among women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD.
Results Summary
Greater duration of formal mindfulness practice predicted significant reductions in total PTSD symptoms, trauma-related avoidance, arousal and reactivity, and negative cognitions and mood six months post-treatment. Informal practice did not predict any outcomes.
Population
Women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder (SUD) (N=23).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
8 sessions
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention | decrease | total PTSD symptoms | women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD | - | predicted reduced | #1 |
mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention | decrease | trauma-related avoidance | women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD | - | predicted reduced | #2 |
mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention | decrease | arousal and reactivity | women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD | - | predicted reduced | #3 |
mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention | decrease | negative cognitions and mood | women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD | - | predicted reduced | #4 |
mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention | no change | substance craving | women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD | - | did not predict | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Women with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) experience systemic barriers that place them in danger of poorer treatment outcomes. Some mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated efficacy in reducing PTSD and SUD symptoms. Mindfulness practice is a core component of MBIs, thought to elicit and maintain positive behavioral change; however, no research to our knowledge has assessed the role of mindfulness practice on sustained treatment gains among women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD. Such research is necessary to better inform MBIs for dually diagnosed women. METHODS: This secondary analysis assessed whether post-intervention formal and informal mindfulness practice predicted reductions in PTSD symptoms and substance craving 6 months following an 8-session mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention for women diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD-SUD (N = 23). Data were derived from a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a trauma-integrated mindfulness-based relapse prevention program for women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD. RESULTS: Greater duration of formal mindfulness practice (i.e., minutes per practice) predicted reduced total PTSD symptoms ([Formula: see text] = - .670, p < .00), trauma-related avoidance ([Formula: see text] = - .564, p = .01), arousal and reactivity ([Formula: see text] = - .530, p = .02), and negative cognitions and mood ([Formula: see text] = - .780, p < .01) six months following treatment. Informal practice did not predict any outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the potential role of formal mindfulness practice in sustaining reductions in PTSD symptoms over time among women with co-occurring PTSD-SUD. Further study of strategies to promote ongoing formal mindfulness practice in this population following a MBI are warranted. Trial registration The parent trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03505749).