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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)

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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 PTSD
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.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Patients with severe PTSD, including those with comorbidities such as dissociation,... 2021 Randomized controlled trial n = 90
The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Patients with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder refractory to both psychotherapy... 2010 Randomized controlled trial n = 20
Efficacy of Intravenous Ketamine for Treatment of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Patients with chronic PTSD related to a range of trauma exposures 2014 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. Military veterans and first responders aged 18 or older with chronic PTSD lasting 6... 2018 Randomized, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial n = 26
A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Patients with treatment-resistant PTSD 2012 Randomized controlled trial n = 12

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