NCT01506323

Mantram Repetition Meditation for Veterans With PTSD

Portable Mantram Meditation for Veterans With Military Related PTSD

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 181 (actual)
• Sponsor: US Department of Veterans Affairs · Federal
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of a portable, meditation-based intervention called the Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) for Veterans with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared the individual delivery of the MRP to individual delivery of Present-Centered Therapy (PCT) at two sites in San Diego, California, and Bedford, Massachusetts.

Detailed description

The investigators conducted a prospective, parallel group, two-site, randomized clinical trial on the therapeutic treatment efficacy of the Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) by offering it as a stand-alone intervention, compared to an attention control condition of Present Centered Therapy (PCT) in a diverse sample of Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Primary outcomes included clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptom severity. Secondary outcomes included insomnia, depression, anger, spiritual well-being, and mindfulness. Veterans were were recruited from a variety of clinics, including primary care, women's health, and specialty clinics in two geographical locations within the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

Conditions

• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mantram Repetition Program (MRP)	The MRP teaches three portable, mindfulness strategies to train attention and manage symptoms: 1) Mantram (sacred word) Repetition, 2) Slowing Down, and 3) One-Pointed Attention. These tools are presented as working together synergistically and cumulatively, over time, to interrupt negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotional states such as anger, rage, irritability and impatience. Participants choose their own words or phrases and are encouraged to practice repeating a mantram at any time or place. In this study, MRP is delivered individually in eight weekly, 1-hour sessions, using a standardized manual, instructor guide, and homework assignments for experiential learning.
BEHAVIORAL	Present Centered Therapy (PCT)	The PCT is a form of individual therapy that is problem-oriented to improve current coping. It avoids details of traumatic experiences. In this study, it is delivered individually in 8 weekly, 1 hour sessions to serve as an active, attention control arm. Sessions are unstructured and managed so that there is some engagement of the participant's emotional concerns with an emphasis on strengths and process encouragement rather than skills training. Three components of PCT include 1) developing a therapeutic relationship for social support, 2) focusing on current problems and problem solving, 3) and setting goals.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-01-01
• Primary completion: 2014-03-01
• Completion: 2015-06-01
• First posted: 2012-01-10
• Last updated: 2015-09-02
• Results posted: 2015-09-02

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States