Primary care-based mindfulness intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms among Black adults: A pilot feasibility and acceptability randomized controlled trial.
Abigail Powers, Emma C Lathan, H Drew Dixon, Yara Mekawi, Rebecca Hinrichs, Sierra Carter, Bekh Bradley, Nadine J Kaslow
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy July 2023 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001390 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized pilot study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Trauma-exposed Black adults (85% women) who screened positive for PTSD and depression in an urban primary care clinic serving primarily Black adults with low socioeconomic resources |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with 1-month follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation PTSD |
| Key points | The adapted 8-week MBCT group was feasible and acceptable: over 75% (n = 26) of randomized participants completed through postassessment and 70.5% (n = 24) through 1-month follow-up, with high group satisfaction. Participants nonetheless endorsed substantial barriers to treatment engagement, averaging more than 6 barriers, which the authors say must be addressed to improve engagement and access in underresourced communities. |
Abstract
There is support for the use of mindfulness-based approaches with trauma-exposed adults. However, limited data are available on feasibility and acceptability of group-based mindfulness interventions in urban medical clinics serving primarily Black adults with low socioeconomic resources, where rates of trauma exposure are high. The present randomized pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week adapted mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) group for trauma-exposed Black adults who screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in an urban primary care clinic setting. Participants were randomized to waitlist control (WLC) or MBCT. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through examination of retention rates, measures of group satisfaction and treatment barriers, and qualitative interview. Forty-two Black adults (85% women) were consented; of those, 34 (81%) completed preassessment and randomization. Feasibility of study design was shown, with > 75% (n = 26) of randomized participants completing the study through postassessment. Twenty-four individuals (70.5%) completed through 1-month follow-up. Results showed high levels of group acceptability across quantitative and qualitative measures. Perceived barriers to psychological treatment were high, with an average of > 6 barriers present. The findings indicate feasibility and acceptability of MBCT group interventions in urban primary care settings with trauma-exposed patients with significant psychopathology. However, substantial barriers to treatment engagement were endorsed and to improve numbers for successful engagement in the intervention, continued efforts to reduce treatment barriers and increase access to mindfulness-based interventions in underresourced communities are needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Adapting Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Black American Communities: A Scoping Review Mindfulness August 1, 2023
- Feasibility and acceptability of a virtual mindfulness intervention for Black adults with PTSD and depression: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders March 1, 2024
- The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on PTSD and depression symptoms in trauma-exposed black adults: Pilot randomized controlled trial results. Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders December 1, 2024
- Do Contemplative Practices Promote Trauma Recovery? A Narrative Review from 2018 to 2023. Healthcare November 7, 2025
- Improved Mindfulness Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial with Trauma-Exposed Black Adults. Mindfulness 2025
Cites 12
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Depression and Anxiety April 17, 2013
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of current depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis Cognitive Behaviour Therapy February 8, 2019
- An Open Trial of Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy for Reducing Depressive Symptoms. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice May 2022
and 7 more in the library