Jan E Kemp

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, Hugh F Crean, Jan E Kemp

Meditation programs offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) show promise for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity in Veterans receiving mental health services. In an analysis of data from six VA sites involving 391 Veterans, meditation programs produced medium effect sizes compared to treatment as usual for PTSD severity measured by clinical interview and self-report. Similar benefits were seen for overall mindfulness and nonreactivity to inner experience. The type of meditation and program completion rates influenced the effects. Further research is needed to clarify where meditation training fits within mental health services and for whom it will be effective.