A multisite feasibility randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based resilience training for aggression, stress, and health in law enforcement officers.
Michael Christopher, Sarah Bowen, Katie Witkiewitz, Daniel W Grupe, Richard Goerling, Matthew Hunsinger, Barry Oken, Tyrus Korecki, Nils Rosenbaum
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies April 4, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04452-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized, single-blind clinical feasibility trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Law enforcement officers |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based resilience training Stress management education |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Aggression Law enforcement Remote Resilience Stress |
| Citations | 9 |
| Registration | NCT03784846 |
| Key findings | The feasibility trial demonstrated high recruitment, retention, and acceptability of mindfulness-based resilience training, with fidelity to protocols and responsiveness to change on several measures, setting the stage for a full-scale efficacy trial. |
Abstract
Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to significant stressors that can impact their mental health, increasing risk of posttraumatic stress disorder, burnout, at-risk alcohol use, depression, and suicidality. Compromised LEO health can subsequently lead to aggression and excessive use of force. Mindfulness training is a promising approach for high-stress populations and has been shown to be effective in increasing resilience and improving mental health issues common among LEOs. This multi-site, randomized, single-blind clinical feasibility trial was intended to establish optimal protocols and procedures for a future full-scale, multi-site trial assessing effects of mindfulness-based resilience training (MBRT) versus an attention control (stress management education [SME]) and a no-intervention control, on physiological, attentional, and psychological indices of stress and mental health. The current study was designed to enhance efficiency of recruitment, engagement and retention; optimize assessment, intervention training and outcome measures; and ensure fidelity to intervention protocols. Responsiveness to change over time was examined to identify the most responsive potential proximate and longer-term assessments of targeted outcomes. We observed high feasibility of recruitment and retention, acceptability of MBRT, fidelity to assessment and intervention protocols, and responsiveness to change for a variety of putative physiological and self-report mechanism and outcome measures. Results of this multi-site feasibility trial set the stage for a full-scale, multi-site trial testing the efficacy of MBRT on increasing LEO health and resilience, and on decreasing more distal outcomes of aggression and excessive use of force that would have significant downstream benefits for communities they serve. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03784846 . Registered on December 24th, 2018.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effects of Short Video App Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Policemen's Communication Anxiety, PTSD, Anger Management, and Mood Disorders. Healthcare May 21, 2025
- Feasibility of Mindfulness Training for Police Officers at the Spanish National Police Academy Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology May 14, 2026
- Improvements in Mindfulness Facets Predict Burnout and Sleep Disturbance Outcomes in Law Enforcement Officers Research Square February 23, 2026
Cites 21
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- How Does Mindfulness Training Affect Health? A Mindfulness Stress Buffering Account Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2014
- Brief mindfulness meditation training reduces mind wandering: The critical role of acceptance. Emotion November 7, 2016
- The Impact of Mindfulness Training on Police Officer Stress, Mental Health, and Salivary Cortisol Levels Frontiers in Psychology September 3, 2021
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One September 21, 2022
and 16 more in the library