Loving-Kindness Meditation vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans
David J. Kearney, Carol A. Malte, Meghan Storms, Tracy L. Simpson
JAMA Network Open April 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6604 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 184 |
| Population | Veterans with PTSD |
| Interventions | Loving-kindness meditation Cognitive processing therapy |
| Duration | 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Group loving-kindness meditation was noninferior to group cognitive processing therapy for reducing PTSD and depression symptoms among veterans. |
Abstract
Key Points Question Is group loving-kindness meditation noninferior to group cognitive processing therapy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans? Findings In this randomized clinical trial, 184 veterans with PTSD were assigned to group loving-kindness meditation or group cognitive processing therapy; the differences in the decrease from baseline to 6-month follow-up for measures of PTSD and depression were very similar and within predefined margins considered not meaningfully different. Attendance was better for loving-kindness meditation. Meaning This study adds to the evidence indicating that interventions without a specific focus on trauma, including meditation-based interventions, can yield results similar to trauma-focused therapies.