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.
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.
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.
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.
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.