Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Treating Anxiety in PTSD Patients

Adding an eight-week structured mindfulness-based intervention to routine psychological support produced greater reductions in anxiety and PTSD symptoms than routine support alone among trauma-exposed adults in Islamabad, Pakistan. At week 12, anxiety scores dropped by 7.4 points in the mindfulness group versus 2.8 points in the control group, and PTSD symptom scores decreased by 20.5 points versus 7.9 points. Between-group differences favored mindfulness for both anxiety (-4.3 points) and PTSD symptoms (-11.9 points). The intervention included breathing exercises, body awareness, mindful sitting, grounding techniques, mindful movement, and home practice. Follow-up completion was 93.3% in the mindfulness group and 90.0% in the control group.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder is frequently accompanied by persistent anxiety, hyperarousal, sleep disturbance, and impaired emotional regulation. Mindfulness-based interventions may support trauma-exposed patients by improving present-moment awareness, distress tolerance, and regulation of intrusive thoughts and bodily arousal. Objective: This study evaluated whether an eight-week structured mindfulness-based intervention added to routine psychological support produced greater reductions in anxiety and PTSD symptoms than routine psychological support alone among veterans and civilian trauma survivors in Islamabad, Pakistan. Methods: This two-arm controlled clinical trial included 120 adults aged 18 to 60 years with PTSD symptoms of at least three months’ duration and moderate anxiety. Participants were allocated equally to mindfulness-based intervention plus routine psychological support or routine psychological support alone. The intervention included weekly 60–75-minute sessions over eight weeks, incorporating breathing exercises, body awareness, mindful sitting, grounding techniques, mindful movement, and home practice. Anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, and PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at baseline, week 8, and week 12. Results: Follow-up completion was 93.3% in the mindfulness group and 90.0% in the control group. At week 12, GAD-7 scores decreased by 7.4 points in the mindfulness group compared with 2.8 points in the control group. PCL-5 scores decreased by 20.5 points versus 7.9 points, respectively. Week-12 between-group differences favoured mindfulness for both anxiety (-4.3 points) and PTSD symptoms (-11.9 points). Conclusion: Mindfulness-based intervention added to routine psychological support was associated with clinically meaningful short-term reductions in anxiety and PTSD symptoms among trauma-exposed adults in Islamabad.