Clinical case series: treatment of PTSD with transcendental meditation in active duty military personnel.
Vernon A Barnes, John L Rigg, Jennifer J Williams
Military Medicine July 1, 2013 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-12-00426 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Active duty U.S. Army Service Members with PTSD |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique |
| Dose | 20 minutes twice a day |
| Duration | 2-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Key findings | Providing Transcendental Meditation training to active duty soldiers with PTSD in a Department of Defense medical facility is feasible. |
Abstract
Active duty U.S. Army Service Members previously diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were selected from review of patient records in the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at the Department of Defense Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Patients agreed to practice the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique for 20 minutes twice a day for the duration of a 2-month follow-up period. Three cases are presented with results that show the feasibility of providing TM training to active duty soldiers with PTSD in a Department of Defense medical facility. Further investigation is suggested to determine if a TM program could be used as an adjunct for treatment of PTSD. Impact of this report is expected to expand the complementary and alternative evidence base for clinical care of PTSD.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combining Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD with 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): A Case Example. One couple with PTSD and a severe trauma history, participating in a pilot trial... | 2019 | Case study | n = 2 |
| Effects of intranasal (S)-ketamine on Veterans with co-morbid treatment-resistant depression and PTSD: A retrospective case series Veterans with co-morbid depression and PTSD | 2022 | Retrospective case series | n = 35 |
| Repeated oral esketamine in patients with treatment resistant depression and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder Patients with treatment-resistant depression and comorbid PTSD | 2023 | Case series | n = 5 |
| Treatment of nightmares in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder A client with chronic, severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | 2010 | Case study | n = 1 |
| 5-MeO-DMT for post-traumatic stress disorder: a real-world longitudinal case study 23-year-old female with chronic refractory PTSD | 2023 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- REDUCTION IN SYMPTOMS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND DEPRESSION IN UKRAINIAN REFUGEES PRACTICING TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Clinical and Preventive Medicine April 20, 2026
- Evaluating the Impact of Transcendental Meditation on Trauma Symptoms, Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Problems Among Israeli Civilians Post-October 7, 2023: A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Psychology June 29, 2026
- A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation as Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress February 1, 2022
- Therapeutic Effects of Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being November 2, 2020
- Comparing focused attention meditation to meditation with mobile neurofeedback for persistent symptoms after mild-moderate traumatic brain injury: a pilot study Brain Injury August 12, 2020
and 4 more in the library
Cites 10
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Stress Reduction and Preventing Hypertension: Preliminary Support for a Psychoneuroendocrine Mechanism The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine June 1, 1995
- Effects of Transcendental Meditation in Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study Military Medicine June 1, 2011
- Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents and Adults through the Transcendental Meditation® Program: A Research Review Update Current Hypertension Reviews October 1, 2012
- Stress reduction in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: randomized, controlled trial of transcendental meditation and health education in Blacks. Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes November 1, 2012
and 5 more in the library