Complementary, Spiritually-based Therapy Effective for Treating PTSD and Insomnia in Veterans
What is it about?
Not all Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are willing to participate in evidence-based trauma-focused PTSD treatments. New and innovative complementary therapies related to meditation or mindfulness are being developed for treating PTSD. This multi-site, randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare Mantram Repetition Therapy to an active control of Present Centered Therapy. Mantram teaches three portable practices of silently repeating a mantram (sacred word), slowing down thoughts, and developing one-pointed attention to manage unwanted emotions. Findings of this study demonstrated that participants in the Mantram Repetition Program had greater improvements in PTSD symptom severity and insomnia than the control group.
Why is it important?
Veterans need a choice of treatments for PTSD because "one size does not fit all." The Mantram Repetition Program, a mind-body-spiritually based approach for symptom management, has been found to significantly reduce PTSD symptom severity and insomnia in Veterans with PTSD. Such innovative programs that embrace mindfulness and spirituality provide new and novel options for treating PTSD.