Feasibility and acceptability of a virtual mindfulness intervention for Black adults with PTSD and depression: Randomized controlled trial.
Abigail Powers, Emma C Lathan, Elizabeth Mcafee, Yara Mekawi, H Drew Dixon, Estefania Lopez, Shifa Ali, Rebecca Hinrichs, Bekh Bradley, Sierra Carter, Nadine J Kaslow
Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders March 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjmad.2024.100048 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Black adults screening positive for PTSD and depression from an urban safety net hospital |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Depression Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Posttraumatic stress Virtual intervention |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | Virtual MBCT showed fair feasibility and high acceptability among completers, but low completion rates and high perceived barriers suggest engagement challenges must be addressed. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) offers promise as a group-based intervention to alleviate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in traumatized Black adults. Given the high level of barriers that exist for low-income Black adults, virtual delivery of MBCT may be helpful. This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed feasibility and acceptability of an adapted 8-week virtual MBCT group intervention for Black adults screening positive for PTSD and depression. Forty-six participants (89.3% women) recruited from an urban safety net hospital were randomized to MBCT or waitlist control (WLC). Overall feasibility was fair (70%); however, completion rates were higher for WLC than MBCT (90% vs. 54%). Group acceptability was high across quantitative and qualitative measures for study completers. Perceived barriers to psychological treatment were high (>9). While showing potential via improved coping skills and positive health changes, this intervention's success hinges on mitigating engagement barriers for future delivery; additional studies are warranted.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Feasibility and effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and posttraumatic growth among military medical college students. Acta Psychologica November 1, 2024
- The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on PTSD and depression symptoms in trauma-exposed black adults: Pilot randomized controlled trial results. Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders December 1, 2024
- Improved Mindfulness Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial with Trauma-Exposed Black Adults. Mindfulness 2025
Cites 5
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
- Primary care-based mindfulness intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms among Black adults: A pilot feasibility and acceptability randomized controlled trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy July 2023
- A systematic review of mechanisms of change in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the treatment of recurrent major depressive disorder. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2015
- Mindfulness meditation, well-being, and heart rate variability: a preliminary investigation into the impact of intensive Vipassana meditation. International Journal of Psychophysiology September 1, 2013
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Low-Income, Predominantly African American Women With PTSD and a History of Intimate Partner Violence Cognitive and Behavioral Practice September 5, 2011