Loving-kindness meditation for posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.

Abstract

Loving-kindness meditation is a practice designed to enhance feelings of kindness and compassion for self and others. Loving-kindness meditation involves repetition of phrases of positive intention for self and others. We undertook an open pilot trial of loving-kindness meditation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Measures of PTSD, depression, self-compassion, and mindfulness were obtained at baseline, after a 12-week loving-kindness meditation course, and 3 months later. Effect sizes were calculated from baseline to each follow-up point, and self-compassion was assessed as a mediator. Attendance was high; 74% attended 9-12 classes. Self-compassion increased with large effect sizes and mindfulness increased with medium to large effect sizes. A large effect size was found for PTSD symptoms at 3-month follow-up (d = -0.89), and a medium effect size was found for depression at 3-month follow-up (d = -0.49). There was evidence of mediation of reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression by enhanced self-compassion. Overall, loving-kindness meditation appeared safe and acceptable and was associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression. Additional study of loving-kindness meditation for PTSD is warranted to determine whether the changes seen are due to the loving-kindness meditation intervention versus other influences, including concurrent receipt of other treatments.

• Authors: David J Kearney, Carol A Malte, Carolyn McManus, Michelle E Martinez, Ben Felleman, Tracy L Simpson
• Journal: Journal of traumatic stress (J Trauma Stress) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 426-34 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1573-6598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23893519 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Published 2013. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Topics

• Adult
• Depression (therapy)
• Empathy
• Female
• Humans
• Intention
• Love
• Male
• Meditation (psychology)
• Middle Aged
• Mindfulness
• Pilot Projects
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (psychology, therapy)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Veterans (psychology)