The effects of a combination of cognitive interventions and loving-kindness meditations (C-METTA) on guilt, shame and PTSD symptoms: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Meike Müller-Engelmann, Luisa Bahnemann, Stella Kümmerle
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2024 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2308439 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized wait-list controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Trauma-exposed patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD |
| Duration | Six weekly individual treatment sessions followed by a four-week practice phase |
| Topics | PTSD Meditation |
| Keywords | Intervenciones cognitivas Tept Cognitive interventions Loving-kindness meditation Trauma-related guilt Trauma-related shame |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | C-METTA produced greater reductions than a wait-list condition in clinician-rated PTSD symptoms, trauma-related guilt, and trauma-related shame. |
Abstract
Background: Trauma-related guilt and shame are crucial for the development and maintenance of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). We developed an intervention combining cognitive techniques with loving-kindness meditations (C-METTA) that specifically target these emotions. C-METTA is an intervention of six weekly individual treatment sessions followed by a four-week practice phase.Objective: This study examined C-METTA in a proof-of-concept study within a randomized wait-list controlled trial.Method: We randomly assigned 32 trauma-exposed patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis to C-METTA or a wait-list condition (WL). Primary outcomes were clinician-rated PTSD symptoms (CAPS-5) and trauma-related guilt and shame. Secondary outcomes included psychopathology, self-criticism, well-being, and self-compassion. Outcomes were assessed before the intervention phase and after the practice phase.Results: Mixed-design analyses showed greater reductions in C-METTA versus WL in clinician-rated PTSD symptoms (d = -1.09), guilt (d = -2.85), shame (d = -2.14), psychopathology and self-criticism.Conclusion: Our findings support positive outcomes of C-METTA and might contribute to improved care for patients with stress-related disorders. The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00023470).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- How Practice Differences Shape Participant Experience in Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Qualitative Study of Non-Buddhist University Students Mindfulness October 9, 2026
- C-METTA reduces PTSD-related guilt and shame following interpersonal violence. European Journal of Psychotraumatology December 1, 2025
Cites 10
- What does mindfulness really mean? A canonical perspective Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Loving‐Kindness Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study Journal of Traumatic Stress July 25, 2013
- A Wait‐List Randomized Controlled Trial of Loving‐Kindness Meditation Programme for Self‐Criticism Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy March 16, 2014
- Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Meditation Psychological Reports January 6, 2017
- Loving-Kindness Meditation and the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Medical Care November 13, 2014
and 5 more in the library