Journal of Traumatic Stress
March 31, 2019
Ariel J Lang, Anne Malaktaris, Pollyanna Casmar et al.
50 citations
A pilot randomized controlled trial compared compassion meditation (CM) to a relaxation-based program (Veteran.calm) for veterans with PTSD. Both interventions involved ten weekly 90-minute group sessions. Twenty-eight veterans who attended at least one session completed pre- and posttreatment measures. PTSD symptoms reduced more substantially in the CM group than in the comparison group, with a between-group effect size of -0.85. Credibility, attendance, and satisfaction were similar across conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of CM and the appropriateness of the comparison condition. These initial findings support further research on CM for veterans with PTSD.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
January 1, 2023
Barbara Niles, Ariel J Lang, Miranda Olff
16 citations
Most evidence supports trauma-focused psychotherapy as the first-line treatment for trauma, but many people worldwide seek Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) therapies for wellness beyond symptom reduction. This special issue presents research on CIH interventions including mindfulness, service dogs, and scuba diving. A featured editorial highlights the importance of defining when, where, and how placebo responses work, noting that nonspecific elements like positive expectations, therapeutic rituals, healing symbols, and social interactions influence treatment response. CIH interventions harness these factors along with attention or emotion regulation.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine
October 1, 2024
Skylar Kelsven, Caitlin L Mclean, Kiara Widjanarko et al.
3 citations
In veterans with military-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), certain pre-existing mindfulness skills influenced how well they responded to a Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) compared with present-centered therapy (PCT). Among 173 veterans, those with a greater ability to describe their internal experiences showed lower PTSD hyperarousal symptoms after MRP than after PCT. Conversely, veterans with lower nonreactivity to internal stimuli experienced greater reductions in PTSD avoidance and numbing symptoms and insomnia with MRP than with PCT. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire may help predict which patients benefit most from mindfulness-based interventions like MRP.
Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2025
Anne Malaktaris, Caitlin L Mclean, Pollyanna Casmar et al.
2 citations
A preliminary feasibility study of Compassion Meditation (CM) for distressed older US military veterans found that most participants initiated the program, but only about half completed it, with dropouts often citing difficulties engaging via telehealth. Of 25 enrolled veterans aged 55 and older with anxiety or depressive symptoms, 88% attended at least one session, and 52% completed the intervention (six or more sessions). Completers attended an average of 9.46 sessions. The transition from in-person to telehealth due to COVID-19 may have contributed to attrition. Older veterans appear open to meditation-based practices when they are easy to access.
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy
October 31, 2024
Caitlin L Mclean, Ashley Faytol, Gage Chu et al.
1 citation
A brief mobile version of the Mantram Repetition Program (mMRP), a meditation-focused approach, was tested with 36 veterans who had significant PTSD symptoms. Participants completed four weekly video modules and used their mantram 4 to 5 days per week. The program was rated as acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. PTSD symptoms and general health improved from before to after the program, but depression and insomnia did not change significantly. Adding text message support did not improve outcomes over self-directed use; support was mostly used for administrative needs. Veterans suggested adding more guidance on using the skills and alternative support options. The findings indicate that mMRP can be delivered briefly and that veterans learn and use the technique.
Contemporary clinical trials communications
June 1, 2026
Anne Malaktaris, Niloofar Afari, Pollyanna Casmar et al.
A randomized clinical trial will compare Cognitively-Based Compassion Training for Chronic Pain with Psychological Comorbidity (CBCT-CP+) to a health education control (H.E.L.P.) among 142 Veterans who have chronic pain along with PTSD and/or depression. Both groups will attend 10 weekly 90-minute virtual sessions. The primary aims are to reduce pain interference and the severity of comorbid psychopathology. The authors hypothesize that CBCT-CP+ will lead to larger reductions in these co-primary outcomes and greater improvements in life satisfaction and quality of life. If effective, the intervention could improve treatment outcomes for this population.
Contemporary Clinical Trials
August 1, 2022
Matthew S Herbert, Mara Tynan, Ariel J Lang et al.
A protocol describes the Acting with Mindfulness for Pain (AMP) intervention, which integrates formal mindfulness meditation into acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain. The authors argue that formal meditation practice is a necessary component that directly targets key ACT processes and may produce larger improvements in function than standard ACT or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The ongoing pilot randomized controlled trial compares AMP to CBT among 86 Veterans with chronic pain. The trial aims to evaluate feasibility, examine preliminary treatment effects on outcomes such as pain interference, pain acceptance, and quality of life, and determine whether a full-scale trial is warranted.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
January 1, 2022
Anne Malaktaris, Caitlin L Mclean, Sheetal Mallavarapu et al.
Among US military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in the Mantram Repetition Program—a portable meditative practice involving mindful repetition of a sacred phrase—higher frequency of daily mantram repetition was linked to greater improvements in PTSD symptom severity, trait anger, state anger, mental health well-being, and spiritual well-being, though not physical health well-being. The associations showed small effect sizes. The findings suggest that encouraging regular practice may enhance the benefits of meditation-based interventions for veterans with PTSD.
Mindfulness
January 1, 2020
Ariel J Lang, Pollyanna Casmar, Samantha Hurst et al.
Compassion meditation, specifically a manualized protocol called Cognitively Based Compassion Training for Veterans (CBCT-Vet), appears acceptable to Veterans with PTSD. In an open trial with 36 Veterans across four groups, participation in 8-10 sessions of CBCT-Vet was associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression, though causality cannot be inferred due to the nonrandomized design. No changes were observed in positive emotion or social connectedness. These preliminary results support further exploration of compassion meditation as part of recovery for Veterans with PTSD.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
January 1, 2019
Jennifer N Crawford, Alexander M Talkovsky, Jill E Bormann et al.
A meditation-based program called the Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) reduced hyperarousal symptoms in veterans with PTSD more than a non-specific psychotherapy control. Hyperarousal reductions were greater at both post-treatment and 8-week follow-up, and these reductions also helped decrease other PTSD symptom clusters. The findings suggest that targeting hyperarousal may be a key pathway to recovery from PTSD.
Behavior modification
November 1, 2012
Ariel J Lang, Jennifer L Strauss, Jessica Bomyea et al.
Meditation-based approaches for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are widely used, yet rigorous research on their effectiveness is scarce. This review examines three types of meditative practices—mindfulness, mantra, and compassion meditation—and discusses how they might reduce PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life. The empirical evidence is very limited but shows some promise, suggesting that further evaluation of meditation as a treatment for PTSD is justified.