Loving‐Kindness Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study
David J. Kearney, Carol A. Malte, Carolyn Mcmanus, Michelle E. Martinez, Ben Felleman, Tracy L. Simpson
Journal of Traumatic Stress July 25, 2013 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21832 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
| Intervention | Loving-kindness meditation |
| Duration | 12-week loving-kindness meditation course, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Citations | 232 |
| Key findings | Loving-kindness meditation was associated with reduced PTSD and depression symptoms, with large and medium effect sizes respectively at 3-month follow-up, and self-compassion mediated these improvements. |
Abstract
Loving-kindness meditation is a practice designed to enhance feelings of kindness and compassion for self and others. Loving-kindness meditation involves repetition of phrases of positive intention for self and others. We undertook an open pilot trial of loving-kindness meditation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Measures of PTSD, depression, self-compassion, and mindfulness were obtained at baseline, after a 12-week loving-kindness meditation course, and 3 months later. Effect sizes were calculated from baseline to each follow-up point, and self-compassion was assessed as a mediator. Attendance was high; 74% attended 9-12 classes. Self-compassion increased with large effect sizes and mindfulness increased with medium to large effect sizes. A large effect size was found for PTSD symptoms at 3-month follow-up (d = -0.89), and a medium effect size was found for depression at 3-month follow-up (d = -0.49). There was evidence of mediation of reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression by enhanced self-compassion. Overall, loving-kindness meditation appeared safe and acceptable and was associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression. Additional study of loving-kindness meditation for PTSD is warranted to determine whether the changes seen are due to the loving-kindness meditation intervention versus other influences, including concurrent receipt of other treatments.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 53
- Trauma-related dissociation and altered states of consciousness: a call for clinical, treatment, and neuroscience research European Journal of Psychotraumatology May 19, 2015
- Combining Psychedelic and Mindfulness Interventions: Synergies to Inform Clinical Practice. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science March 16, 2021
- Loving-Kindness Meditation to Target Affect in Mood Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015
- Compassion and Loving-Kindness Meditation: An Overview and Prospects for the Application in Clinical Samples Harvard Review of Psychiatry July 1, 2018
- Loving-Kindness Meditation and the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Medical Care November 13, 2014
and 48 more in the library
Cites 8
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion October 1, 2008
- Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia Journal of Clinical Psychology March 6, 2009
and 3 more in the library