The role of meditation in alleviating PTSD: insights from research
International Journal of Sports Health and Physical Education July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.33545/26647559.2025.v7.i2g.284 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with post-traumatic stress disorder |
| Interventions | Meditation Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Transcendental Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Transcendental meditation Stress reduction Randomized controlled trial Mental health Intervention counseling Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Key findings | Meditation offers significant benefits for PTSD symptoms, aiding emotional control, reducing stress, and improving overall mental health, with moderate to strong effect sizes. |
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue that causes symptoms like flashbacks, increased arousal, avoidance, and emotional numbness. Standard treatments, including therapy and medication, can be helpful, but new methods like meditation are gaining popularity. This study reviews scientific research on meditation as a treatment for PTSD, focusing on its mechanisms, clinical effects, and influence on the brain. A thorough search found 744 articles, and after careful screening, 28 key studies were selected. Results indicate that meditation offers significant benefits for PTSD symptoms. It aids in emotional control, reduces stress, and improves overall mental health. A Chi-square test examined the link between various types of meditation and the reduction of PTSD symptoms [χ² = 4.6, df = 3, p > 0.05, (Critical value=7.815)]. Although this suggests no strong association, trends indicate that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Transcendental Meditation (TM) may be the most effective methods. Calculations of effect size show a moderate to strong impact (Cohen’s d > 0.5), supporting the therapeutic value of meditation. In conclusion, meditation shows promise as a complementary treatment for PTSD, helping with emotional control and stress relief. However, the variability in meditation techniques and participant adherence can pose challenges. More large-scale, randomized controlled trials are needed to establish standardized protocols and evaluate long-term effectiveness. Meditation remains a promising, non-invasive complementary therapy for PTSD, warranting further exploration.