Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Treating Anxiety in PTSD Patients
Saba Naz, Bakht E Karam, Wahaj Ahmad Khan, Hadiqa Lodhi, Samea Khan, Aaron Anthony John
Journal of Health Wellness and Community Research June 16, 2026 DOI: 10.61919/63gtdq71 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Adults aged 18 to 60 years with PTSD symptoms of at least three months’ duration and moderate anxiety, including veterans and civilian trauma survivors in Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based intervention Routine psychological support |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 12-week follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Intervention counseling Distress Checklist Posttraumatic stress Randomized controlled trial Clinical psychology |
| Key findings | 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. |
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.