Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A literature review
Carolina Eugenia Cáceres Videla, Rocío Carlota Cáceres Melillo
Salud Mental January 27, 2023 DOI: 10.17711/sm.0185-3325.2023.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions, particularly MBCT and MBSR, are associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms, though the active components remain undetermined. |
Abstract
Background. Previous reviews have concluded that whilst mindfulness-based interventions reduce PTSD symptoms through fear extinction and cognitive restructuring, further research is needed. Objective. The aim of this report is to systematically review existing literature about the association between standardized mindfulness-based interventions and PTSD with the aim of identifying implications for practice and recommendations for future research. Method. The CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Medline, and PsycArticles databases were searched, looking for full-text articles from 2018 up to march 2022. Results. There was a significant improvement in PTSD symptoms in MBCT participants, even if some experienced a high increase at baseline. MBSR participants with moderate to severe trauma symptoms showed a greater reduction in symptoms whereas mild trauma symptoms at baseline showed slightly higher symptomatology at the end of treatment. Discussion and conclusion. From the results, MBCT, MBSR, and their variations seem to tackle different domains of the diagnosis. Whilst MBSR is associated with improvements in terms of attentional difficulties, MBCT facilitates the connection between dysfunctional cognitive concepts and avoidant behaviours that maintain the symptomatology. Nevertheless, the active components of MBCT or MBSR that have an impact on symptom reduction are undetermined. Future studies will be enhanced by monitoring the change in underlying mechanisms attached to the practice of mindfulness through outcome measurements, among other considerations.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C): A Clinical Approach for Teaching Mindfulness to Children Neuromethods 2026
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a psychological strategy for mitigating emotional exhaustion among critical care nurses. Journal of Education and Health Promotion May 29, 2026
- Neuroplasticity and the Breath Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga May 9, 2026
- A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy Intervention on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Cureus October 1, 2025
- Improved Mindfulness Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial with Trauma-Exposed Black Adults. Mindfulness 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 5
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- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- The impact of participation in a mindfulness-based intervention on posttraumatic stress symptomatology among Black women: A pilot study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy August 26, 2021
- Influence of adjuvant mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans – results from a randomized control study Cognitive Behaviour Therapy June 12, 2018
- Impact of In-Person and Virtual World Mindfulness Training on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. Military Medicine March 1, 2018